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Film Companion launches ‘Through the Lens’ masterclass, backed by ARRI
Mumbai: Film Companion announces the launch of ‘Through The Lens,’ a distinguished masterclass series that underscores the brilliance of Indian cinematographers, generously supported by ARRI, a leading designer and manufacturer of camera and lighting systems for the film, broadcast, media, and entertainment industries, with a worldwide distribution and service network. Kicking off the first episode with Sudeep Chatterjee, followed by K.K. Senthil Kumar and Anil Mehta, Through The Lens is a one-of-a-kind celebration, aiming to applaud the talent behind the camera, providing an exclusive insight into their creative journey. It will be aired on Film Companion’s YouTube channel.
Sudeep Chatterjee who will be featured in the inaugural episode of the series is renowned for his contributions to cinematic masterpieces such as Bajirao Mastani, Chak De! India, Gangubai Kathiawadi, and more. With a career spanning decades, Chatterjee has played a pivotal role in shaping the visual narrative of some of the most iconic Indian films.
The upcoming episodes will also feature ace cinematographer K.K. Senthil Kumar, known for the mesmerizing visuals of large-scale spectacle films like RRR, Baahubali: The Beginning, Baahubali: The Conclusion, and Magadheera. And camera virtuoso, Anil Mehta, who introduced the glamorous realism aesthetic in Hindi Cinema. His filmography includes blockbusters such as Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Lagaan, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Wake up Sid, and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.
To ensure widespread accessibility, “Through The Lens” is set to be aired on Film Companion’s YouTube channel. This strategic decision reflects our commitment to reaching a global audience and fostering a community of cinephiles, aspiring filmmakers, and industry professionals.
Watch episode one of ‘Through the Lens’ with Sudeep Chatterjee exclusively on Film Companion’s Youtube channel on 17 January at 8 pm IST.
eNews
PNB partners Kiwi to launch credit-enabled UPI for users
Targets 180 million customers; RuPay card offers 0.5 per cent to 1.5 per cent cashback
MUMBAI: Swipe, tap, or scan credit is quietly slipping into the rhythm of everyday payments, and Punjab National Bank wants in on the action. The state-run lender has partnered with Kiwi to roll out credit-enabled UPI payments for its 180 million customers, marking a significant push to blend traditional banking with India’s fast-evolving digital payments ecosystem.
At the centre of the collaboration is the launch of the PNB Kiwi Credit Card on the RuPay network. The card is designed with a digital-first approach, offering fully online onboarding and seamless integration with UPI, allowing users to transact via scan-and-pay while accessing credit.
The offering also brings in a rewards layer, with cashback ranging from 0.5 per cent to 1.5 per cent on online transactions, positioning the product as both a convenience play and a spending incentive.
The move comes as UPI continues to dominate India’s digital payments landscape, increasingly blurring the lines between debit-led transactions and credit access. For PNB, which operates over 10,000 branches around 60 per cent in semi-urban and rural areas, the partnership signals a targeted effort to extend formal credit to segments that have traditionally remained underserved.
The collaboration also reflects a broader industry shift, where banks and fintech platforms are converging to embed credit directly into payment flows, reducing friction while expanding access.
With RuPay credit cards gaining traction and UPI evolving beyond peer-to-peer transfers, the PNB–Kiwi tie-up positions both players at the intersection of scale, accessibility, and the next phase of digital finance in India.
