News Broadcasting
Raid exposes video piracy racket in Mumbai suburb
MUMBAI: A raid carried out on CD Town store in the Mumbai suburb of Bhayender East, had Shemaroo’s anti-piracy team, with the help of local police, nab Venkatesh Rao, who produces and distributes pirated VCDs and DVDs in Mumbai’s suburbs.
Ironically, Venkatesh’s uncle Shetty, happens to be attached to the Copyright enforcement team.Venkatesh apparently never had the fear of a raid because of his uncle’s profession. It took days of persuasion and dedication from Shemaroo’s anti-piracy team headed by Gyanchand Maroo, to nab the culprit.
Shemaroo says that for the video industry, which is reeling under 80 per cent piracy, it comes as a major shock. An insider being hand-in-glove with video pirates is being seen as a setback.
Over 3,500 VCDs, 500 DVDs, 200 blue films and 7,000 new movie covers (inlays) were seized. A television and a couple of VCRs were also seized and the culprit was taken into custody.
Shemaroo VP Hiren Gada, said, “Only cooperation from the public and awareness about piracy eating into the roots of our country through terrorism will tip a change slowly and steadily. Until then, Shemaroo will keep trying to fight this menace with all means possible.”
Meanwhile, Shemaroo Video has released the Balaji Films’ production Koi Aap Sa on VCD and DVD. The film stars Aftab Shivdasani, Natashaa, Dipannita Sharma and Himanshu Malik.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
