GECs
COLORS presents ‘Durga,’ premiering on 16 September
Mumbai: When societal divides try to limit a dreamer’s spirit, ‘Mujhe haq hai…’ becomes the cry that breaks societal chains and reclaims the right to rise. COLORS presents ‘Durga,’ a story about a tribal girl challenging societal norms to pursue a medical career and her love for royal heir Anurag, while facing opposition from powerful tribal woman Paani Bai. Starring Pranali Rathod as Durga, Indira Krishnan as Paani Bai, and Aashay Mishra as Anurag, and produced by Magic Moments Motion Pictures, ‘Durga’ premieres on 16 September, airing daily at 7:40 pm on COLORS.
Set in Jodhpur, the story follows Durga, a tribal girl aspiring to become a doctor. Her goal is to heal not only bodies but also societal divides, bringing hope to her community. Despite being born into a world where paths seem predetermined, Durga is determined to challenge the discrimination faced by her community. She finds unexpected support in Anurag, a royal heir, who becomes her ally. Meanwhile, Paani Bai, a tribal leader, stands as an obstacle, defending the status quo. The show explores Durga’s fight to challenge tradition and create justice and opportunities for all.
Talking about essaying the titular role, Pranali Rathod said, “I am extremely honoured that Leena Ji, Saibal Da and the channel offered me such a strong and multi-layered role. It is special to me because Durga is a force to be reckoned with, named after the fierce goddess we all look up to. The character of Durga is that of a vigorous Kabile girl whose emotions and struggles, every lady or girl would resonate with. It takes a lot to topple the generations of discrimination and centuries of social divide. She refuses to let any of that define her worth. Her battle is for her identity, her place in a world determined to hold her back. Durga’s fight isn’t just about her. It’s about showing the world that where you come from doesn’t decide where you can go. When people watch Durga’s story, I hope they see a bit of themselves in her. I want them to feel that spark, that voice inside that says ‘Mujhe haq hai.”
Excited to essay the role of Paani Bai, Indira Krishnan said, “Paani Bai is a character who is deeply rooted in tradition, committed to preserving Rajgharana’s honor no matter the cost. For my character, upholding the rules of the past is her way of maintaining control in a world that’s constantly shifting. She stands firm against Durga who dares to believe they can rise above their birth and station—after all, in her mind, sona sona rahega, mitti mitti rahegi.”
Sharing his thoughts about portraying Anurag, Aashay Mishra said, “Anurag is a man caught in the crossfire of two very different worlds—the weight of his royal lineage and the call of his heart. His love for Durga runs deep, and so does his commitment to supporting her dream of uplifting her community. They share moments of passion, but face huge challenges, especially with Paani Bai’s opposition. For Anurag, it’s a constant battle to reconcile his love for Durga with the expectations placed upon him. It will mean the world to me if this show inspires people to follow their dreams.”
Along with Pranali Rathod and Aashay Mishra, COLORS’s ‘Durga’ also stars Karam Veer, Rishi Kaushik, Heera Mishra, Akshaan Sherawat, Jassjeet, Sachin Verma, Digvijay Purohit, Jaya Binju, Krishna Soni, Aditi Asija, Soumendra Bhattacharya in other prominent roles.
GECs
Sebi sends show-cause notice to Zee over fund diversion, company responds
Regulator questions 2018 letter of comfort and governance lapses; company vows robust legal response
MUMBAI: India’s markets watchdog has reignited its long-running scrutiny of Zee Entertainment Enterprises, issuing a sweeping show-cause notice that drags the broadcaster and 84 others into a widening governance storm.
The notice, dated February 12, has been served by the Securities and Exchange Board of India to Zee, chairman emeritus Subhash Chandra and managing director and chief executive Punit Goenka, among others. At its heart: allegations that company funds were indirectly routed to settle liabilities of entities linked to the Essel Group.
The regulator’s probe traces its roots to November 2019, when two independent directors resigned from Zee’s board, flagging concerns over the alleged appropriation of fixed deposits by Yes Bank. The deposits were reportedly adjusted against loans extended to Essel Group entities, triggering questions about related-party dealings and board oversight.
A key flashpoint is a letter of comfort dated September 4, 2018, issued by Subhash Chandra in his dual capacity as chairman of Zee and the Essel Group. The document, linked to credit facilities availed by certain group companies from Yes Bank, was allegedly known only to select members of management and not disclosed to the full board—an omission SEBI believes raises red flags over transparency and governance controls.
Zee has pushed back hard. In a statement, the company said it “strongly refutes” the allegations against it and its board members and will file a detailed response. It expressed confidence that SEBI would conduct a fair review and signalled readiness to pursue all legal remedies to protect shareholder interests.
The notice marks the latest twist in a saga that has shadowed the broadcaster since 2019. What began as boardroom unease has morphed into a full-blown regulatory confrontation. The final reckoning now rests with SEBI—but the reputational stakes for Zee, and the message for India Inc on governance discipline, could scarcely be higher.
