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Indo Pak cooperation to extend to films, TV software
MUMBAI: A first ever joint venture in the arena of film production is the first most likely outcome of the visit of the Pakistani delegation to Frames 2004.
The delegation, however, is also keenly following up with production houses and broadcasters in India for joint productions in television software. “Thus far, Indian artistes have been crossing the border to act in Pakistani serials. It would be a better idea to tie up with production houses here to produce serials jointly,” says Evernew Entertainment executive director Mohammed Jerjees Seja, a member of the delegation.
The decision to go in for joint productions is not merely sentimental. Despite the fact that the Star channels are not available uniformly in Pakistan, Star Plus’ Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi tops the ratings charts in that country, although the predominant channel Geo TV rules the roost otherwise, he says. Seven private satellite channels arecurrently operational in the country, including Geo, ARY and Indus.
Three channels have started recently, including a regional Sindhi channel. Seja estimates that five new channels, including a business channel and a regional channel in the Pushto language would commence operations this year. The joint film project, due to be announced at Frames 2004, will take technology from India and talent from Pakistan, says Evernew Entertainment chief executive Sajjad Gul.
With the information and broadcasting minister R S Prasad offering a handshake with the neighbours in the arena of film production, the delegation from across the border should return with some tangible projects in its kitty. According to Seja, there is no official ban on Indian satellite channels and that 85 per cent of cable connected homes in Karachi receive Indian channels. The Pakistan government too has thrown open the DTH segment. Two private players, ARY and Geo are already in the fray while the government too intends to get into the arena, a la Prasar Bharati in this country.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Kolkata Town Hall on Hooghly River
‘Bhalobasa Bengal Inspiring Bharat’ event on April 20 brings cultural icons, trailblazing women and leaders aboard a cruise to celebrate Bengal’s enduring influence.
MUMBAI: Bengal is about to make fresh waves on the Hooghly and this time the current is pure conversation. CNN-News18 is taking its iconic Town Hall format to the waters of the iconic Hooghly River on 20 April 2026 with a special edition titled ‘Bhalobasa Bengal – Inspiring Bharat’. The floating event will celebrate the state’s rich cultural legacy and how its ideas, creativity and spirit continue to shape the rest of the country.
The unique riverside setting draws on Bengal’s history as a cradle of reform, art and intellectual thought. The speaker line-up mirrors that diversity: cultural heavyweights Mithun Chakraborty and Sreenanda Shankar will share the stage with trailblazing “Devis” such as Tanya Sanyal (India’s first woman firefighter in aviation), Ipsita Chakraborty (Kolkata’s first woman bartender) and Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi (Nari Shakti awardee and marine pilot). Music will flow through the celebrated pianist-vocalist duo Sourendro and Soumyojit, while public life and governance will be represented by Smriti Irani, Leander Paes, Saira Shah Halim, Keya Ghosh, Rekha Patra, Roopa Ganguly and Babul Supriyo.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director, Rahul Shivshankar, said the event honours voices that carry Bengal’s legacy forward. Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, added that Bengal’s stories resonate far beyond its borders, especially as the state heads into polls.
From the first woman to battle flames in the skies to legendary actors who shaped Indian cinema, the gathering promises a rich mix of inspiration, courage and candid dialogue. In a city where culture has always flowed as freely as the river itself, CNN-News18 is turning the Hooghly into a floating forum for ideas that matter.
Tune in on 20 April on CNN-News18, CTV and YouTube to catch Bengal’s heartbeat in full flow.
