GECs
UTV acquires post production, recording studio
MUMBAI: Software production company UTV has acquired a post production and sound recording studio Western Outdoor Advertising.
The company will be merged with UTV’s United Studio division and will be called USL-WOA. This represents the first acquisition in the post production segment in the Indian media sector.
Reports indicate that Western Outdoor’s assets amount to Rs 250 million while USL-WOA’s will be worth around Rs 600 million. The combine is expected to garner 60 per cent of Mumbai’s business which translates into one billion rupees. UTV’s promoter Ronnie Screwvala has been quoted as saying that the initiative aims at providing superior service in the form of creative solutions to customers.
UTV is looking at expanding its business in the area of 3D animation for television content, creating special effects for films and sound recording.
The company is also looking to grow its international revenues in the fields of animation and dubbing. As part of the deal, Western Outdoor will get one per cent stake in UTV. Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp holds a 15 per cent stake in UTV.
Another report in The Economic Times indicates that UTV is also looking to spread its wings by launching four films in the year 2002-2003. One of them stars Val Kilmer last seen in The Salton Sea’ and the budget is estimated at 10 million dollars. The period love story set in India is a co-production with LA based Madira Films. Also in the pipeline is a Shah Rukh Khan film being produced in association with SRK Films, expected to be completed within 15 months. UTV is also said to be planning a solo Bollywood venture which will be directed by Samir Karnik who cut his teeth in the ad film world.
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
