GECs
Discovery to feature ‘Science of Star Wars’
BANGALORE: When Star Wars first hit movie theatres in 1977, the world had never seen a motion picture quite like it featuring massive space stations, intelligent robots, light sabers and hovercraft vehicles to name just a few. In the 30 years since, it has infiltrated the way we live today.
With the recent release of George Lucas’ epic, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Discovery Channel is presenting an exclusive three-part series which investigates the legacy of Star Wars on our lives, and the future.
Science of Star Wars, premiering on June 17, 18 and 19 at 10 pm, explores how the imagination of the films has influenced, and continues to influence, life-changing technology and inventions in the real world.
From artificial intelligence to robotics to cutting-edge transportation to military technology, Science of Star Wars reveals the impact of one of cinema’s greatest and most successful sci-fi classics on the real world. Each hour of this three-part series, hosted by legendary ‘droids’ C3PO and R2D2, features personal stories and interviews of people inspired and helped by Star Wars. The series also explores real-world applications of “The Force” by visiting the Shaolin Monks of China.
Three decades ago, the futuristic inventions presented in Star Wars belonged to another time and place – in a galaxy far, far away. Yet society is catching up fast, and a generation of inventors, inspired by the science presented in the Star Wars films, have brought us close to a new wave of life-changing technology says the Discovery press release.
Dr Jagannath Raju a robot scientists and Director of Systemantics India, was present at the exclusive preview for the Bangalore Press and discussed the role and influence of Star Wars and science in the real world.
Raju, with over twenty years of educational, teaching and consulting experience in the field of robotics in the U.S. and India, said “Star Wars is perhaps the most artistic illustration of the symbiotic relationship between science and films. Star Wars was made possible by scientific advances in animation and computer graphics; in return it offered a prophetic vision of the future and stimulated the imagination of a new generation.”
Featuring footage from all six Star Wars films, Science of Star Wars investigates three major areas of influence with the following episodes:
Man and Machine: airing on 17 June at 10 pm, Space Cowboys: airing on 18 June at 10 pm, War and Weapons, The Force: airing on 19 June at 10 pm Science of Star Wars is produced by Evergreen Films.
GECs
Sahara One reports financial results, notes director exit and business realignment
Muted revenues, steady expenses and strategic adjustments shape company’s current phase
MUMBAI: In a tale where the sands seem to be slipping faster than they can be gathered, Sahara One Media and Entertainment Limited has reported another quarter of wafer-thin income and widening losses, even as a boardroom exit adds to the unease.
The company informed the Bombay Stock Exchange that its board, in a meeting held on April 4, approved its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2025. The numbers paint a stark picture. Total income for the quarter stood at just Rs 0.13 lakh, unchanged sequentially and sharply down from Rs 0.26 lakh a year earlier.
Losses, meanwhile, deepened. The company posted a net loss of Rs 24.16 lakh for the quarter, compared to Rs 18.81 lakh in the June quarter and Rs 39.69 lakh in the same period last year. For the six months ended September 2025, the cumulative loss stood at Rs 39.69 lakh, while the full-year loss for FY25 was reported at Rs 60.72 lakh.
Expenses continued to outweigh income by a wide margin. Total expenses for the quarter came in at Rs 24.30 lakh, led by employee benefit costs of Rs 6.51 lakh and other expenses of Rs 17.78 lakh. Earnings per share remained in the red at Rs (0.11) for the quarter.
The balance sheet reflects a company with significant assets on paper but limited operational momentum. Total assets stood at Rs 23,065.57 lakh as of September 30, 2025, broadly unchanged from March 2025. Equity share capital remained steady at Rs 2,152.50 lakh, while total equity was reported at Rs 18,004.85 lakh.
Cash and cash equivalents saw a modest uptick to Rs 6.75 lakh from Rs 4.68 lakh earlier, supported by a positive operating cash flow of Rs 180.01 lakh for the period.
Yet, beneath these numbers lies a more complex narrative. The company’s auditors flagged their inability to obtain sufficient evidence to form a conclusion on the financial statements, citing lack of access to records. They also raised concerns over the company’s ability to continue as a going concern, pointing to insufficient funds, delayed recoveries, and stalled content investments.
Adding to the governance overhang, the company disclosed that Rana Zia has resigned as whole-time director, effective October 16, 2025, citing other professional commitments. The resignation, noted and accepted by the board, also brings an end to her role across company committees.
Regulatory pressures continue to loom large. The Securities and Exchange Board of India has already initiated penal actions for non-compliance with listing norms, with trading in the company’s shares remaining suspended. There is also a risk of promoter demat accounts being frozen.
Legacy legal issues remain unresolved. A substantial deposit of Rs 694,027.88 thousand linked to the long-running OFCD dispute involving Sahara group entities is still under the purview of the Supreme Court of India. Restrictions on asset disposal continue to weigh on the company’s financial flexibility.
Operationally, challenges persist across multiple fronts. Advances worth Rs 1,92,916 thousand given for film content remain stuck, with delays in project completion and uncertain recoverability. The company’s YouTube channel, despite being operational, has generated no revenue for over three years due to compliance lapses. In a further twist, management has indicated that revenues may have been fraudulently diverted through unauthorised changes to its AdSense account, with a police complaint in the works.
There are also missed revenue opportunities. Television content rights continue to be used by a related party despite the expiry of the licence agreement, with fresh negotiations still underway.
For now, Sahara One Media and Entertainment Limited appears caught between legacy disputes and present-day operational hurdles. As losses linger and governance questions mount, the road to recovery looks less like a sprint and more like a slow trudge through shifting sands.
