GECs
Sony Sab launches AIB-hosted activation ‘Finding Funny’
MUMBAI: Sony Sab is launching a new and unique program ‘Finding Funny’ which aims to spread happiness and to find hidden talent. Exclusively for media agencies, it will give the opportunity to media professionals to showcase their their talent to make people laugh. The format of the show is not limited to any particular talent allowing them to act, dance, sing, mimic or to do stand-up comedy.
Finding Funny will be hosted and judged by the popular entertainers of AIB Tanmay Bhatt, Rohan Joshi, Ashish Shakya and Gursimran Khamba, who will also perform stand-up comedy acts at the regional rounds and the grand finale in Mumbai.
SAB, PAL and Hindi movies head marketing Vaishali Sharma said “Finding Funny is an on-ground extension of Sony SAB’s brand promise of happiness. The aim is to reach out to our media partners and add an element of fun in their daily routines. We all have hidden capabilities, many yet unexplored. This activation, across cities will provide a platform to media professionals to not only present their talent but also be recognised and rewarded for it. Judged by the best in the business of being funny AIB this initiative can’t get any better.”
Contestants across media agencies in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore will need to send in their videos via WhatsApp to Sony SAB on 08657430410 with their introduction and a presentation of their talent. Those shortlisted will be invited to the regional finals in Mumbai (3 August), Delhi (10 August) and Bangalore (14 August). Winners of the regional rounds to win exciting prizes and the top three in each city will be competing in the grand finale to be held in Mumbai on 24 August.
AIB will play a pivotal role in shortlisting talent across different rounds.
The last date to register is 28 July. Ten contestants shortlisted from the regional rounds held in these three cities will compete in the grand finale where three winners will be declared with the coveted trophy of Finding Funny and win cash prizes.
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.
