News Broadcasting
DD-DW co-production ‘Mumbai’ takes close look at India’s city of gold
MUMBAI: A documentary on the city of Mumbai co-produced by pubcaster Prasar Bharati and German television channel Deutsche Welle (DW) is soon to be telecast on national broadcaster Doordarshan.
The documentary titled (no prizes for guessing) Mumbai, which was co-produced for DW’s Transtel series Connecting Cultures, was presented to the media today at Mumbai’s Doorshan Kendra at an official screening precided over by Prasar Bharati CEO KS Sarma.
Mumbai was shot entirely in India’s commercial capital. The production of the documentary was jointly managed by Dr Stephan Kaemph of DW and Mumbai Doordarshan Kendra director Mukesh Sharma. Post production was completed at DW’s studios in Berlin.
DW will be dubbing the documentary in German, Arabic, English, Russian and some other languages. Prasar Bharati will be telecasting the documentary in English and Hindi and dubbing it into other regional languages as well.
Speaking about his experiences in making the hour-long film, Sharma said, “The USP of the documentary is that the world over broadcasting is getting very expensive and for a pubic broadcaster, it is not commercially feasible unless there is secured funding. I thought it was a good idea to capitalise on a co-production with the public broadcaster in Germany. Also, it is a very good way of showcasing Mumbai on a global platform. One also had to be very careful not to dwell on the not so attractive side of Mumbai. Although we have managed to weave in the uniqueness and the culture of Mumbai and also encompasses the city in a snapshot. For me, personally it was an excellent way of interacting with another culture and truly a learning experience.”
The shooting of the documentary took place in Mumbai, while the post production took place in Germany.
The MoU to co-produce the show was signed by DW Television MD Cristoph Lanz and Sarma last year.
Sharma said another co-production that was under consideration was to showcase Einstein’s theory of relativity as in 2005 the theory completes 100 years. Here, the show will be shot in Germany and post produced in Mumbai. An excellent way of collaborating crossover resources. Tentatively, the show will be funded by the Planetary Society of India. The format is still unclear and in the process of discussion.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
