News Broadcasting
Industry pays homage to Kulmeet Makkar
MUMBAI: The television and film fraternity woke up this morning to the shocking news of the sudden demise of Kulmeet Makkar, CEO of the Film & Television Producers Guild.
He died following a heart attack. He was in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, where he had been since the lockdown due to the Covid2019 pandemic. Makkar had been active in the entertainment industry for more than three decades, having worked with companies like Saregama, Reliance Entertainment, Shreya Entertainment, etc.
A pall of gloom has descended on the fraternity and everyone is in shock.
“I am extremely devastated by this news,” said SOL India-Banijay Group founder and MD Fazila Allana.
She said: “I was on a conference call with him recently and we were supposed to have another call tomorrow. I was constantly in touch with him on WhatsApp. He looked absolutely fine; this news came as a shock to me. Kulmeet was a very sensitive person; he held everything together for the guild. He was always there to help you. It is a huge loss for the television industry. Especially in these trying times he was really spearheading the guild’s effort towards how the industry would function post the lockdown. We will miss him very terribly.”
Balaji Telefilms COO Ketan Gupta: “We woke up, again, to very terrible news. After the tragic news of Irrfan and Rishiji, this was shocking! My heartfelt condolences and prayers for the departed soul. He has been an integral part of our film and TV Guild of India and his loss is irreparable and irreplaceable. May the almighty give strength to the family at this most difficult time. RIP.”
Applause Entertainment Limited CEO Sameer Nair: “I am just too sad to listen to this news. Kulmeet was really the heart and soul of the Guild…the nicest, kindest, friendliest soul in our industry.”
Binaifer Kohli remembered Kulmeet as a very dear friend. “He and my husband worked together for a company called Usha. He was a wonderful person, always very helpful and nice and a big asset to the guild also. My condolences to his family. It is a great loss for the industry.”
Anil Wanvari: “He was driven to take the Guild to new heights. It was what drove him. That it should live up to what its purpose was: to service its members – film and TV producers. He brought a lot of order and professionalism to it. He will surely be missed.”
Filmmaker Karan Johar tweeted: “Kulmeet you were such an incredible pillar to all of us at the Producers Guild of India….relentlessly working for the industry and towards its enhancement and advancement… you left us too soon…We will miss you and always Remember you fondly…. Rest in peace my friend…”
Kulmeet you were such an incredible pillar to all of us at the Producers Guild of India….relentlessly working for the industry and towards its enhancement and advancement… you left us too soon…We will miss you and always Remember you fondly…. Rest in peace my friend… pic.twitter.com/GUcapyjfMo
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) May 1, 2020
Filmmaker Rohan Sippy: “More terribly sad news… the film industry has lost another irreplaceable stalwart… RIP Kulmeet.”
More terribly sad news… the film industry has lost another irreplaceable stalwart… RIP Kulmeetpic.twitter.com/LWuf8RbTU0
— Rohan Sippy (@rohansippy) May 1, 2020
Hats Off Production founder JD Majethia remembered Kulmeet as a passionate man with a Vision. “In spite of him not being an active producer he knew the issues and necessities of the business far more than most producers I know of. I have interacted and worked with him for over a decade and can say he was almost indispensable. He was involved in so many activities of the industry till his last breath. I still can't believe it and I'm in a huge shock. You will be missed forever Kulmeet.”
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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.
