GECs
‘Piya ka ghar’ gets Dr Simran to build viewer base
MUMBAI: Seems like ‘walk-ins’ (guest appearance) are infectious, after Star Plus and Sony its Zee’s turn to do so. But this time on, the intentions are more pronounced and the ‘walk-in’ is likely to be extended to ‘stay in’.
In a bid to butteress the viewership of an afternoon soap, Piya ka ghar- telecast Monday through Thursday at 2 pm, Zee has decided to bring in a character from its sucessful prime time shows Astitva-‘s Dr Simran.
Played by Niki Aneja-Walia, the character of Dr Simran is quite popular with both the class and the mass viewers. Touted as an intelligent show, Astitva has created quite a stir and is popular with the critics as well.
The charater Dr Simran will be joining the Piya Ka Ghar cast- on 19 January 2003.
Speaking to indiantelevision.com a Zee spokesperson informed that Walia’s character Dr Simran will not be a one-off guest appearance but rather a recurring role.
Produced by Sheel Kumar, the weekly soap stars Narayani Shastri, Alok Nath, Sulbha Arya, Prachee Shah among others. PKG dwells on the oft trodden territory of two families from a village, who have a long friendship between them. The problems arise when the next generation grows up.
According to the spokesperson, Rimjhim (Narayani Shastri) is diagnosed with womb cancer, the disease is in the advanced stages and her chances of survival are slim. On recommendation of her friend, Dr Anurag, Rimjhim approaches Dr Simran, the world famous gynecologist. They go to to Dr Simran for a consultation.
GECs
Sebi sends show-cause notice to Zee over fund diversion, company responds
Regulator questions 2018 letter of comfort and governance lapses; company vows robust legal response
MUMBAI: India’s markets watchdog has reignited its long-running scrutiny of Zee Entertainment Enterprises, issuing a sweeping show-cause notice that drags the broadcaster and 84 others into a widening governance storm.
The notice, dated February 12, has been served by the Securities and Exchange Board of India to Zee, chairman emeritus Subhash Chandra and managing director and chief executive Punit Goenka, among others. At its heart: allegations that company funds were indirectly routed to settle liabilities of entities linked to the Essel Group.
The regulator’s probe traces its roots to November 2019, when two independent directors resigned from Zee’s board, flagging concerns over the alleged appropriation of fixed deposits by Yes Bank. The deposits were reportedly adjusted against loans extended to Essel Group entities, triggering questions about related-party dealings and board oversight.
A key flashpoint is a letter of comfort dated September 4, 2018, issued by Subhash Chandra in his dual capacity as chairman of Zee and the Essel Group. The document, linked to credit facilities availed by certain group companies from Yes Bank, was allegedly known only to select members of management and not disclosed to the full board—an omission SEBI believes raises red flags over transparency and governance controls.
Zee has pushed back hard. In a statement, the company said it “strongly refutes” the allegations against it and its board members and will file a detailed response. It expressed confidence that SEBI would conduct a fair review and signalled readiness to pursue all legal remedies to protect shareholder interests.
The notice marks the latest twist in a saga that has shadowed the broadcaster since 2019. What began as boardroom unease has morphed into a full-blown regulatory confrontation. The final reckoning now rests with SEBI—but the reputational stakes for Zee, and the message for India Inc on governance discipline, could scarcely be higher.
