News Broadcasting
DQ Entertainment in JV with French firm; plans to invest Rs 2.5 billion over 3 yrs
MUMBAI: Hyderabad-based DQ Entertainment (DQE) is eyeing joint venture deals with international animation companies that would assure it of a product pipeline. As a step in this direction, the company has entered into a 51:49 per cent joint venture with France’s animation powerhouse Onyx Films to produce high-end CGI feature films.
“We are looking at more such deals with other companies which would boost our product pipeline. That will form a part of our expansion strategy,” says DQ Entertainment MD and CEO Tapaas Chakravarti.
The JV with Onyx Films, in which DQE will make an initial investment of Euro 1.5 million (around Rs 90 million), has identified three feature films valued at $89.5 million including Skyland (budget of $31.5 million), Night of the Child King ($30 million) and The Enchanted Boy ($28 million). While Skyland is funded fully, the process of arranging money is on for Night of the Child King. “Besides these three movies, the aim of the JV is to launch one feature film every year from 2008 onwards,” says Chakravarti.
DQE is also buying a 20 per cent strategic stake in TV production company Method Films, a sister concern of Onyx, for Euro 2.5 million (around Rs 150 million). Already lined up is a slate of nine TV series for major broadcasters in the US, Canada and Europe, six of which are currently under production. “The strategic stake in Method Films will help us access global revenue and overseas funds for the entire production. It will also provide DQE a huge order pipeline in the area of animation, VFX and post production work in the years to come,” says Chakravarti.
DQE is planning to invest Rs 2.5 billion over three years while ramping up its 3,000-seater capacity to a strength of 5,000. The company is currently capitalised to the extent of $12 million and has private equity investors including International Finance Corporation (IFC), India Value Fund, IL&FS Investment Managers Ltd and TDA Capital Partners.
The company clocked $12 million in FY06 and is projecting a turnover of $25 million this fiscal. The target will be much higher once DQE has established itself in the value chain game. The JV will help it leap into the status of feature film producers while guaranteeing utilisation of production facilities and additional streams of revenue.
“Strategic alliances are extremely important and will bring about strong presence of creativity, powered by massive production capabilities,” says Onyx Films chairman and Method Films CEO Aton Soumache.
The private equity investors in DQE are bullish about the growth prospects of the company. “DQE is beginning to work on the content side of the animation business rather than being a pure outsourcing player. By entering into this joint venture, the company has shown that it is keen to participate in the financial risk of the animation business. This way there can be substantial upsides,” says Rajeev Agrawal, fund manager at India Value Fund.
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
