GECs
Swastik marks 10 years of Siddharth Kumar Tewary’s Mahabharat
Mumbai: Swastik Productions, known for bringing Indian mythology and history to the screen, celebrated the tenth anniversary of its magnum opus, Mahabharat. Since its premiere, the series has captivated global audiences with its storytelling and visual appeal.
To mark this occasion, Swastik has launched a digital campaign for fans to relive the magic of Mahabharat. A key feature is the release of the unseen pilot episode on its YouTube channel, offering a look at the early creative vision behind the production.
Additionally, Swastik Productions has introduced animated avatars inspired by Mahabharat characters. These renditions engage younger audiences and connect traditional mythology with modern digital art, fostering artistic engagement with Indian mythology.
The anniversary celebrations culminated in a reunion of the original Mahabharat cast and crew. In an exclusive roundtable discussion with Siddharth Kumar Tewary, actors including Shaheer Sheikh (Arjun), Sourabh Raaj Jain (Krishna), Arpit Ranka (Duryodhan), Aham Sharma (Karna), Pooja Sharma (Draupadi), Riya Deepsi (Gandhari), Anoop Singh Thakur (Dhritarashtra), Rohit Bhardwaj (Yudhishthira), Saurav Gurjar (Bhima), and Arav Chowdhary (Bhishma) reflected on their experiences on set, shared memories, and discussed the show’s lasting impact. The conversation explored themes of duty, loyalty, and human relationships—elements that resonate with audiences and solidify Mahabharat’s status as a classic. These insightful roundtable episodes will be available on Swastik’s official YouTube channel, providing fans a glimpse into the world behind the epic.
Adding to the event, Swastik displayed iconic items from the show, such as the crowns, Krishna’s flute, Bhima’s gada, and the game of chausar. These artefacts showcased the craftsmanship that brought Mahabharat to life and offered fans a look at the dedication that contributed to the show’s cultural significance.
On this special occasion, Siddharth Kumar Tewary, the visionary behind Mahabharat, expressed his gratitude: “In 2009, I envisioned creating a grand spectacle that would bring the timeless tale of Mahabharat to life in a way that had never been done before. After years of dedication, in 2013, that dream became a reality. Today, as we celebrate this 10-year milestone, I feel a deep sense of pride and immense gratitude for the love and support we have received from audiences across the globe. Releasing the pilot episode is our way of sharing the origins of this incredible journey with the world. This experience has been a true blessing, and I hope the legacy of Mahabharat continues to inspire future generations.”
GECs
Sahara One reports financial results, notes director exit and business realignment
Muted revenues, steady expenses and strategic adjustments shape company’s current phase
MUMBAI: In a tale where the sands seem to be slipping faster than they can be gathered, Sahara One Media and Entertainment Limited has reported another quarter of wafer-thin income and widening losses, even as a boardroom exit adds to the unease.
The company informed the Bombay Stock Exchange that its board, in a meeting held on April 4, approved its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2025. The numbers paint a stark picture. Total income for the quarter stood at just Rs 0.13 lakh, unchanged sequentially and sharply down from Rs 0.26 lakh a year earlier.
Losses, meanwhile, deepened. The company posted a net loss of Rs 24.16 lakh for the quarter, compared to Rs 18.81 lakh in the June quarter and Rs 39.69 lakh in the same period last year. For the six months ended September 2025, the cumulative loss stood at Rs 39.69 lakh, while the full-year loss for FY25 was reported at Rs 60.72 lakh.
Expenses continued to outweigh income by a wide margin. Total expenses for the quarter came in at Rs 24.30 lakh, led by employee benefit costs of Rs 6.51 lakh and other expenses of Rs 17.78 lakh. Earnings per share remained in the red at Rs (0.11) for the quarter.
The balance sheet reflects a company with significant assets on paper but limited operational momentum. Total assets stood at Rs 23,065.57 lakh as of September 30, 2025, broadly unchanged from March 2025. Equity share capital remained steady at Rs 2,152.50 lakh, while total equity was reported at Rs 18,004.85 lakh.
Cash and cash equivalents saw a modest uptick to Rs 6.75 lakh from Rs 4.68 lakh earlier, supported by a positive operating cash flow of Rs 180.01 lakh for the period.
Yet, beneath these numbers lies a more complex narrative. The company’s auditors flagged their inability to obtain sufficient evidence to form a conclusion on the financial statements, citing lack of access to records. They also raised concerns over the company’s ability to continue as a going concern, pointing to insufficient funds, delayed recoveries, and stalled content investments.
Adding to the governance overhang, the company disclosed that Rana Zia has resigned as whole-time director, effective October 16, 2025, citing other professional commitments. The resignation, noted and accepted by the board, also brings an end to her role across company committees.
Regulatory pressures continue to loom large. The Securities and Exchange Board of India has already initiated penal actions for non-compliance with listing norms, with trading in the company’s shares remaining suspended. There is also a risk of promoter demat accounts being frozen.
Legacy legal issues remain unresolved. A substantial deposit of Rs 694,027.88 thousand linked to the long-running OFCD dispute involving Sahara group entities is still under the purview of the Supreme Court of India. Restrictions on asset disposal continue to weigh on the company’s financial flexibility.
Operationally, challenges persist across multiple fronts. Advances worth Rs 1,92,916 thousand given for film content remain stuck, with delays in project completion and uncertain recoverability. The company’s YouTube channel, despite being operational, has generated no revenue for over three years due to compliance lapses. In a further twist, management has indicated that revenues may have been fraudulently diverted through unauthorised changes to its AdSense account, with a police complaint in the works.
There are also missed revenue opportunities. Television content rights continue to be used by a related party despite the expiry of the licence agreement, with fresh negotiations still underway.
For now, Sahara One Media and Entertainment Limited appears caught between legacy disputes and present-day operational hurdles. As losses linger and governance questions mount, the road to recovery looks less like a sprint and more like a slow trudge through shifting sands.
