GECs
UTV’s ‘Meher’ turns daily on DD
MUMBAI: Meher, a weekend Muslim social thriller produced by UTV will now be aired four days a week from 25 March 2004. The change in timing also coincides with a major twist in the storyline of the serial in the coming days.
Meher, which has been drawing favourable TRPs in non cable and satellite homes, was till now, being aired on Saturdays and Sundays at 8.30 pm. The story revolves around the main protagonist Meher’s trials and tribulations , the resulting emotional conflicts and upheavals arising in her life as she finds herself pitted against a very conservative, corrupt and hypocritical social order.
According to Meher creative director Sukesh Motwani, “It was UTV’s idea to change the serial from its existing slot of twice a week to a daily soap looking at its popularity and the fact that there is no other serial based on such a theme on air at present.”
According to Motwani, “The storyline of the serial is awaiting a major twist. Meher’s twin sister is going to appear very soon.”
Launched in January 2004, the serial is running on a slot earlier occupied by a news bulletin. While the bulletin drew TRPs of around 3 and 4, Meher reached TRPs of 8.4 in its second week itself, says UTV.
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.
