News Broadcasting
Rana Daggubati raises an undisclosed amount from Gruhas
Mumbai: India is at an interesting phase of the entertainment story. With increasing internet penetration, and a growing push towards digital adoption, media, and entertainment makes for one of the largest and fastest-growing industries in the country. Gruhas has invested an undisclosed amount in Spirit Media, a fast-growing media production company, that focuses on producing phenomenal content, utilizing an IP-led model, and led by actor and producer Rana Daggubati.
Gruhas led by Abhijeet Pai and Nikhil Kamath believes that with the rise of digital platforms and streaming services, there is a significant opportunity for media production companies to create and distribute content to a global audience. With this belief that Spirit Media’s IP-led growth model will allow the company to leverage its content across various platforms, including television, film, and digital media, Gruhas has decided to invest in the company.
“We are thrilled to partner with Spirit Media and its visionary founder- Rana Daggubati,” said Abhijeet Pai from Gruhas. ” We recognize the potential of Spirit Media and its unique business model, and see it as an excellent opportunity to invest in a company that is set to revolutionize the media industry. We are excited to see the company grow and expand its operations, and look forward to supporting them every step of the way.”
“Spirit Media is India’s first and only 360-degree content and brand ecosystem that works across all Markets and Platforms” said Daggubati. “As we look at growing and transforming India’s media landscape, we are excited to partner with Gruhas which has a proven track record of building large, scalable enterprises with sustainable business’s models. We look forward to giving India’s media, entertainment and brand creators the opportunity and resources to transform the country through pursuing their dreams”
Spirit Media is a Media House that empowers creators and entrepreneurs by providing them with knowledge, capital, technology, and infrastructure. With a philosophy that is centered around collaboration and community, where producers and entrepreneurs work together to build a sustainable ecosystem that spans the entertainment, media, and consumer sectors globally.
Spirit provides producers with access to creative talent and industry experts, making it cost and time-efficient to produce, sell, market, and distribute content. And their entrepreneurs work to scale investments made by the group with consumer brands or technology.
Spirit Media operates in a bucket of four – Content, Services, Consumer Brands, and Investments – each with Producers and Entrepreneurs, supported by a shared pool of Human Resources, Finance, and Legal personnel.
At Spirit Media, the vision is to become the go-to platform for creators and entrepreneurs to access the resources they need to produce, market, and distribute their content globally. The company fosters a collaborative community that supports sustainable growth and success.
The future, unsurprisingly, will revolve greatly around technology. As per the latest report by the PwC, India’s Media and Entertainment Industry is expected to reach Rs 4,30,401 crores (US$ 53.99 billion) by 2026. With various government initiatives (such as 100 per cent FDI in the films) as well as Mergers and Acquisition, changing consumer preferences and more, this growth trajectory has been comparable to the global average rate.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 rolls out Battle for the States ahead of key polls
Multi-format election coverage tracks voter mood across five battleground states
NEW DELHI: CNN-News18 has launched a special election programming initiative titled Battle for the States, as India gears up for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Built around the theme ‘Road to Power’, the multi-format coverage aims to follow the entire electoral journey, from campaigning and polling to results and government formation. The network is leaning into on-ground reportage and data-backed storytelling to decode voter sentiment across regions where local issues often shape the narrative.
The programming line-up includes ‘Vote Tracker’, a three-part series developed in collaboration with survey agency Vote Vibe. The show blends survey insights with expert commentary and field reporting, using augmented reality graphics to present complex electoral data such as vote share, seat projections and leadership preferences in a more accessible format. It will air every Monday evening until April 6.
Adding a cultural lens to political reporting is ‘So Saree!’, a ground-driven segment where women anchors travel across constituencies dressed in traditional handwoven sarees from each state. The format uses attire as a storytelling device, highlighting regional identity while capturing grassroots voices.
Meanwhile, ‘Unfiltered Kaapi’ and ‘Chai-Niti’ bring a more conversational tone, drawing inspiration from everyday political discussions in tea stalls and coffee corners. These segments aim to break down key issues through candid, fast-paced exchanges between anchors and reporters, tailored to regional sensibilities.
For viewers seeking deeper insights, the weekend docuseries ‘Reporters Project’ takes a longer view, with correspondents travelling across constituencies to map voter concerns and political shifts on the ground.
“Elections are about people, their aspirations, identities and the issues that matter to them, and every state tells a different story,” said CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar. He added that the initiative focuses on understanding “the sentiment on the ground and what’s driving voter choices”.
Echoing the emphasis on credibility, Network18 CEO – English and business news Smriti Mehra said the network aims to combine on-ground reporting with data-led insights to deliver clear and timely coverage as the elections unfold.
With a mix of data, culture and grassroots reporting, CNN-News18 is positioning Battle for the States as a comprehensive window into one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles, where every vote carries a story waiting to be told.
