GECs
Star Plus soaps to zip into future
MUMBAI: When storylines hit a plateau, shake them up a bit with a fast forward seems to be the Star Plus credo.
Kaahin Kissi Roz Three of the channel’s serials are set for a leap into the future (one is doing more of a hop really) in the coming days. Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Kaahin Kissi Roz and Shagun are the three serials that are lined up to receive a shot in the arm to soup up stagnating storylines. While KKR is poised to take only a short five-year jump, afternoon soapShagun will take a quantum leap of 15 years. A year ago, the reigning soap Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi had leapfrogged 20 years, bringing in its wake an entire new generation of the Virani family, while keeping most of the older generation alive and around.
Shagun
Star Plus, which has taken back Shagun from production house UTV for rearing in house, is firming up plans to move the story into the future. The generation jump kicks in from 18 August, with new characters expected to give the serial a fresh appeal.
Kahaani Ghar Ghar KiiKahaani…. is expected to do a similar trick, with the story also reportedly set to zip ahead by 20 years. Avantika (Sweta Keswani) has just been shown to have been sentenced to life imprisonment, so Kahaani…. will be one character shorter in the coming days as Keswani has opted out of the serial. The rest of the cast will continue (suitably aged of course), while the next generation takes over. The “new, improved” Kahaani… takes its bow from 2 September, according to informed sources.
KKR on the other hand is to move ahead with the same story, but will take up the plot five years hence, when Shaina (Mouli Ganguly), who is serving a jail sentence, is released.
Star India senior vice-president, content and communications Tarun Katial however, says that the channel is yet to decide on Kahaani…’s course. KKR, he says, is not exactly doing a fast forward but is just moving on its pre-destined course.
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.
