iWorld
Duologue with Barun Das S02 premieres on CTV
Mumbai: The second season of ‘Duologue with Barun Das’, the acclaimed series known for its captivating conversations with legendary personalities, has premiered on India’s only 24×7 English news CTV, News9 Live. Having released on India’s first news OTT – News9 Plus on the 19 February 2024, the first five episodes of season two, presented by Radico Khaitan, will be telecast on News9 Live every Saturday at 9 pm IST starting the 18 May 2024, with repeats to be screened every Sunday at 9 am, 2 pm and 10 pm.
Hosted by the media legend and TV9 Network MD & CEO Barun Das, Duologue Season two continues its legacy of inviting iconic figures from various walks of life for insightful discussions, building on the success of its first season, which garnered critical acclaim and multiple awards – including the prestigious Editorial Choice – Most Cerebral Talk Show award at the News Television Awards 2023.
The inaugural season featured guests who are legends in their respective fields, such as former UK Prime Minister and current Foreign Affairs Minister David Cameron, ZEE founder Dr. Subhash Chandra, spiritual guru Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, former Indian women’s cricket captain Mithali Raj, IT tycoon NR Narayana Murthy, Sudha Murty, and many more. Their enlightening conversations set the stage for Duologue’s reputation as a platform for meaningful discourse and intellectual exchange.
Duologue Season 2’s CTV telecast boasts an equally impressive lineup of luminaries, including:
Episode one: Allu Arjun, starring the award-winning Telugu film star celebrated as one of the most versatile actors in the Indian film industry, on 18 May 2024.
Episode two: Oliver Kahn, featuring the legendary goalkeeper, Golden Ball winner and former Bayern CEO, on 25 May 2024.
Episode three: Deepak Chopra, with the renowned spiritual leader and prolific author known for his profound insights on health and well-being, on 2 June 2024.
Episode four: Jeev Milkha Singh, featuring the distinguished golfer widely recognised as being one of India’s best, on 9 June 2024.
Episode five: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, casting the spotlight on the filmmaker renowned for his socially relevant filmography including Rang de Basanti, on 16 June 2024.
Commenting on the second season, Barun Das expressed his excitement, stating, “Duologue Season 2 is a testament to the power of conversations that may change lives. Where Season 1 was more about the people, Season 2 is more about ideas – an exchange of philosophies and worldviews. I am thrilled to continue this journey of enlightenment and inspiration, inviting viewers to join us on News9 Live for an unforgettable experience.”
Each episode of Duologue season two sets up a captivating journey, as Barun Das engages in free-flowing conversations with these iconic personalities. From exploring their achievements and challenges to delving into their philosophies and visions, ‘Duologue with Barun Das’ Season 2 offers viewers an immersive experience like never before.
“The thought-provoking conversations on Duologue with Barun Das offer Radico Khaitan a valuable opportunity to connect with a diverse audience. Engaging in meaningful discussions enhances our brand visibility and exemplifies our values, creating a positive brand association. This exposure contributes to increased brand recognition, loyalty, and consumer trust, fortifying Radico Khaitan’s reputation and market presence. We are honoured to collaborate with the insightful Barun Das, whose dynamic style adds an extra layer of charm to this meaningful partnership”, said the presenting sponsor Radico Khaitan’s COO Amar Sinha.
iWorld
Tips Music CEO Hari Nair to step down
Girish Taurani and Sushant Dalmia to jointly steer the company as the hunt for a new chief begins
MUMBAI: A leadership shuffle is under way at Tips Music. Hari Nair, the company’s chief executive, will step down on April 30 as the music label begins the search for a successor.
The company said Girish Taurani, executive director, and Sushant Dalmia, chief financial officer, will jointly oversee operations during the transition while the board identifies a permanent replacement.
Nair joined Tips Music in 2023 and set about reshaping the veteran music label into a more digital, data-led enterprise. During his tenure, the company secured licensing and partnership deals with global platforms including Sony Music Publishing and TikTok, while renewing agreements with Warner Music Group.
Drawing on earlier experience in technology and entertainment, including a stint at ByteDance, Nair pushed the organisation towards a performance-driven culture. He built a brand partnerships division and introduced proprietary software systems aimed at strengthening digital distribution and data capabilities.
Kumar Taurani, chairman and managing director, credited Nair with embedding a data-led culture within the company and driving revenue growth in line with shareholder commitments.
In his resignation note, Nair said that after helping transition the label into a modern, digitally focused and process-driven organisation, the time had come to pursue his next leadership challenge.
The leadership change comes as the broader Tips Films group shows signs of financial stabilisation. In the third quarter of FY26 the company reported a net loss of Rs 2.86 crore, narrowing sharply from Rs 14.2 crore in the previous quarter. For the nine months ended December, losses stood at Rs 12.37 crore.
Yet revenue told a more volatile story. Income from operations slid to Rs 4 crore in Q3 FY26 from Rs 56 crore in the preceding quarter, taking total operating income to Rs 4.56 crore.
For a company built on a catalogue of more than 34,000 tracks and decades of Bollywood hits, the next chief will inherit both a digital engine and a volatile music market. The playlist may be familiar, but the next act at Tips Music is only just beginning.
