GECs
Covid sweeps TV Land: Rupali Ganguly, other actors test positive
MUMBAI: The second wave of the Covid2019 pandemic has hit India hard. The country is struggling in its attempt to curb the spread of the deadly virus, and despite vaccine roll-out, cases are on the rise with every passing day. Today, India became the second nation, after the US, to report one lakh new cases in a day.
This turn of events has precipitated a crisis in the television industry, with more and more actors testing positive every day. The lead actor of Apna Time Bhi Aayega, Megha Ray, is the latest TV celeb to test positive for the novel Coronavirus.
Balaji Telefilms’ producer Ekta Kapoor recently updated fans about Yeh Hai Chahatein actor Abrar Qazi.
“Actor Abrar Qazi who is an integral part of the TV show Yeh Hai Chahatein has tested positive for Covid2019. As soon as the symptoms were detected, he received medical help and quarantined himself. Immediately thereupon the entire cast and crew were isolated and tested. The BMC is informed and the sets will be fumigated and sterilised as per the protocol. Currently, the artist is receiving medical attention and under home quarantine. We are constantly in touch with the entire team as their health is our priority. We stand by our commitment to safety and will continue to ensure that all measures prescribed by the authorities are being adhered to,” the producer shared.
Actor Narayani Shashtri, who is currently seen on Aapki Nazron Ne Samjha, is also one of the actors who has come down with the virus.
Full House Media producer Sonali Jaffar informed that the entire cast and crew were immediately isolated and tested. The BMC was notified and the sets were to be fumigated and sterilised as per the protocol.
Several TV actors who also recently tested Covid2019 positive include Aditya Narayan and Shweta Agarwal, Mishkat Verma, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai's Kanchi Singh, Ankit Siwach, Namak Issk Ka actress Monalisa, Anupamaa actors Rupali Ganguly, Sudhanshu Pandey and Aashish Mehrotra, and Aap Ke Aa Jane Se actor Karan Jotwani. Other names include Molkki actors Toral Rasputra, Amar Upadhyay and Priyal Mahajan, Nikki Tamboli, Neil Bhatt, Manit Joura, Ariah Agarwal and Daljiet Kaur. TV producer Rajan Shahi also contracted the novel coronavirus.
This, when TV land was trying to get back on its feet after braving a challenging 2020 marked by production in limbo, viewer migration and scarce ad revenues. But in the face of these troubled times, the industry is determined to weather the situation together and survive.
GECs
Samsung TV Plus launches Kings of Comedy channel
New free FAST channel brings iconic Hindi comedy shows to millions of Samsung Smart TV owners.
MUMBAI: Samsung TV Plus has just turned up the laughter volume and it’s completely free. The leading free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service in India has launched Kings of Comedy, a premium comedy channel featuring some of the country’s most beloved primetime shows. Available exclusively on Samsung TV Plus, the channel delivers back-to-back hits including Comedy Nights with Kapil, Khatra Khatra Khatra, and Comedy Nights Bachao, with no login or subscription required.
The launch marks a milestone for free streaming in India, offering audiences a dedicated comedy destination directly from their Samsung TV home screen. It arrives as Samsung TV Plus India celebrates its 5th anniversary, during which the service has grown its monthly active users by 42 per cent and more than doubled its total viewing hours. The platform now offers over 180 free channels across 14 languages.
Samsung TV Plus India general manager and head of business development Kunal Mehta said, “Comedy is the heartbeat of Hindi entertainment, and Kings of Comedy brings together the shows Indians already love, completely free on their Samsung TV. Our focus remains the same take the content people know and make it effortless to access.”
Globally, Samsung TV Plus has surpassed 100 million monthly active users across more than 4,500 channels, solidifying its position as one of the world’s leading free streaming services.
Kings of Comedy is now available on all compatible Samsung Smart TVs. For viewers seeking non-stop laughter without any cost, this new channel delivers a royal treat proving that sometimes the best entertainment really does come with no strings (or subscriptions) attached.
