GECs
The Q announces its first TV original ‘Crime Aur Kanoon’
Mumbai: We often hear of a common phrase, ‘Police walo ki na dosti achi hai na dushmani’ (It’s neither good to be friends or an enemy with a policeman). However, when the two come together, their relationship gets even more exciting. It is this theme that Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC), The Q is set to explore in its first TV original – Crime Aur Kanoon, that was announced on Tuesday, further to the channel’s launch on DD FreeDish.
Crime Aur Kanoon is The Q’s first original crime fiction show that will premiere on television on 21 August.
The show will include several modern age crime stories. With renowned actor Kinshuk Vaidya as the host, it will take viewers through strange and intriguing cases with every episode. Each episode will create awareness about the heinous crimes being committed in society ranging from common day-to-day identifiable situations to more complex situations such as cybercrimes, online frauds, and much more.
Commenting on the launch of the channel’s first original, The Q, chief executive officer, Simran Hoon said, “At The Q, we endeavor to keep our audience engaged with content across varied genres. With an entry into the crime fiction genre with our first TV original after The Q’s presence on DD FreeDish and other DTH and cable TV services, we aim to further strengthen our programming slate and consolidate our position. We look forward to creating thrill and excitement for our audiences with the launch of Crime Aur Kanoon.”
The Q, programming head, Tanya Shukla said, “With our new show Crime Aur Kanoon, we aim to educate young India about the myriad of crimes being committed nowadays. More importantly, staying true to our brand promise to provide young Indian creators and talent a larger platform, Crime Aur Kanoon will open up an exciting new avenue for us at The Q to drive engagement with our viewers and the audience, thereby allowing them to be a part of the show. We are extremely excited about our upcoming show and look forward to introducing more original content that appeals to our viewers.”
With the entire family staying home amidst the unprecedented situation, The Q’s upcoming content backed with a unique storyline and curious moments, promises to give the audience a thrilling experience with Crime Aur Kanoon.
The Q India is an advertiser and influencer marketing-supported Hindi language content brand, channel, and VOD provider delivering digital programming from social media stars and digital video creators targeting young Indian audiences. According to the channel, it has reached an audience of over 712 million via 100 million television homes with partners including DD Free Dish, TATA Sky, DISH TV, and Siti Networks; 380 million OTT users via platforms including ShemarooMe, MX Player, ZEE5, and Dish Watcho; and 232 million users on mobile and digital platforms including Snap, JioTV, Airtel Xstream, Amazon Fire TV, Chingari and Samsung TV Plus.
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.
