GECs
Kannada filmdom mess: Media persons attacked
BANGALORE: An attack on media persons covering a protest at a city multiplex unfolded one of the ugliest episodes in the Kannada filmdom ‘soap opera’. Media persons allege that the theatre’s security guards attacked them, mistaking them for members of the protest group.
Defying the seven-week moratorium, the theatre has been allegedly screening non-Kannada films and the media was covering a protest by the Kannada Rakshana Vedike activists. According to media reports, two new movies Dhoom and Bride and Prejudice were released at the multiplex in Marathahalli on Friday. The Karnataka Film Producers’ Association (KFPA) stopped the screenings of these movies on Friday. When the show began on Saturday, the Kannada Rakshana Vedike activists gathered and tried to barge into the Multiplex demanding that the screening be stopped.
Chief minister Dharam Singh has reportedly ordered a probe into the attack on media persons.
A TV crew member, who was jostled badly by the theater security guards, narrated the events to Indiantelevision.com: “We were informed that the Kannada Rakshana Vedike activists would be protesting at the theater at 11.30 am and so we reached there well before time to cover the event. Later a mob of around 30 to 40 people arrived and started stoning the theaters, breaking the glasses. We started recording the happenings, but the security guards thinking that we’d brought the attackers started beating up the media persons. The press equipments were also completely damaged.”
The KFPA and the KFCC have reportedly condemned the attack and rumors are rife that Sharad, the owner of the multiplex, may be expelled from the KFCC for not taking permission from the organisation before defying the seven-week moratorium.
According to reports, the theater owners defying the moratorium have decided to continue screening non-Kannada films and have asked for police protection.
GECs
Samsung TV Plus launches Kings of Comedy channel
New free FAST channel brings iconic Hindi comedy shows to millions of Samsung Smart TV owners.
MUMBAI: Samsung TV Plus has just turned up the laughter volume and it’s completely free. The leading free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service in India has launched Kings of Comedy, a premium comedy channel featuring some of the country’s most beloved primetime shows. Available exclusively on Samsung TV Plus, the channel delivers back-to-back hits including Comedy Nights with Kapil, Khatra Khatra Khatra, and Comedy Nights Bachao, with no login or subscription required.
The launch marks a milestone for free streaming in India, offering audiences a dedicated comedy destination directly from their Samsung TV home screen. It arrives as Samsung TV Plus India celebrates its 5th anniversary, during which the service has grown its monthly active users by 42 per cent and more than doubled its total viewing hours. The platform now offers over 180 free channels across 14 languages.
Samsung TV Plus India general manager and head of business development Kunal Mehta said, “Comedy is the heartbeat of Hindi entertainment, and Kings of Comedy brings together the shows Indians already love, completely free on their Samsung TV. Our focus remains the same take the content people know and make it effortless to access.”
Globally, Samsung TV Plus has surpassed 100 million monthly active users across more than 4,500 channels, solidifying its position as one of the world’s leading free streaming services.
Kings of Comedy is now available on all compatible Samsung Smart TVs. For viewers seeking non-stop laughter without any cost, this new channel delivers a royal treat proving that sometimes the best entertainment really does come with no strings (or subscriptions) attached.
