News Broadcasting
UTV’s three film projects go on floor
MUMBAI: Integrated media major UTV has kicked off the production of three of its films. Projects titled Main, Meri Patni Aur Woh, Blue Umbrella and D are currently on the floor.
The first of its productions Main, Meri Patni Aur Woh, is being directed by Chandan Arora. To be co-produced by UTV with Star, the movie, currently being shot in Lucknow, introduces model Neetu Chandra with Rajpal Yadav and Kay Kay Menon, informs an official release.
Second in line – Blue Umbrella is an adaptation of a Ruskin Bond novel, to be directed by Vishal Bhardwaj. Featuring Pankaj Kapoor in the title role, the movie is being shot in Dalhousie.
The third production, which is being shot in Mumbai, is in association with Ram Gopal Varma. A prequel to his previous hit, Company, D is being directed by newcomer Vishram Sawant, and stars the Monsoon Wedding fame Randeep Hooda. Varma is quoted in the official release as saying, “My reason for teaming up with UTV is because of my immense belief in their marketing sensibilities and aggressiveness in promoting innovative cinema.”
UMP, the Motion Picture Division of UTV is in the scripting and casting stage for three projects to be directed by David Dhawan, Prakash Jha, Aatish Kapadia/JD. Active discussions are also on with directors like Milan Luthria, Somnath Sen, Priyadarsan, Samir Karnik and Ken Ghosh, among others, adds the release.
The budgets of all these projects vary from Rs 50 million – Rs 250 million. They will be committed to production in early 2005, mostly simultaneously, giving an added boost to the studio model, the release states.
UMP’s distribution model also kicks in with UTV’s own co-production of Ashutosh Gowariker’s Swades, Mahesh Dattani’s Morning Raga and Mahesh Manjrekar’s Virudh among others.
Says UTV’s Motion Picture Division general manager Ram Mirchandani, “Our focus and time is disproportionately spent on script whetting, feedback and even research with focused groups.”
“Our Indian and international distribution model is completely in place and our planned agenda of distributing at least a movie a month worldwide from March/April next year is very much on track,” chips in film distribution division vice chairman Sanjeev Mehta.
News Broadcasting
DNPA names Puneet Gupt chairperson; Anant Goenka steps in as vice chairperson
Leadership reset comes as digital news grapples with AI-led disruption and policy battles
NEW DELHI: India’s digital news lobby has a new pilot at the helm just as the industry stares down its next big disruption. The Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) has named Puneet Gupt, chief operating officer at Times Internet, as chairperson, succeeding Mariam Mammen Mathew at the end of her two-year term.
Gupt, who previously served as vice chairperson, steps into the top role with deep familiarity of the body’s agenda, ensuring a smooth transition at a time when publishers are recalibrating for an AI-shaped future. Anant Goenka, executive director at The Indian Express Group, has been appointed vice chairperson, while Dhruba Mukherjee continues as treasurer.
“Digital news publishers are navigating one of the most consequential shifts the industry has ever seen, from how content is discovered to how it is valued in an AI-driven world. DNPA’s role as a unified industry voice has never mattered more. My focus will be on ensuring that our members are not just responding to these changes, but actively contributing to the policy and industry frameworks around them,” said Puneet Gupt.
Goenka underscored the need for collective action as the sector evolves. “This is an important moment for DNPA and for the digital news publishing industry in India. There is real value in publishers coming together, sharing perspectives, and building a common understanding of the opportunities and challenges ahead. I look forward to contributing to that effort with DNPA members,” he said.
Outgoing chairperson Mariam Mammen Mathew called it a timely transition. “It has been a privilege to lead DNPA at such a pivotal time for the industry. I am confident that under Puneet’s leadership, DNPA will continue to grow in influence and impact. I wish the new team every success,” she said.
Sujata Gupta, secretary general and chief executive officer at DNPA, framed the shift as a springboard for the next phase. “This transition marks an exciting new chapter for DNPA. We have spent the last few years building the credibility, relationships, and frameworks that allow us to engage meaningfully on the issues that matter most to our members. With Puneet and Anant at the helm, we are well-positioned to translate that foundation into tangible outcomes, on policy, on fair commercial frameworks, and on ensuring that digital news publishing remains a sustainable and vital part of India’s information ecosystem,” she said.
The leadership rejig lands at a moment when digital publishers are battling shifting discovery patterns, platform power and the economics of AI. For DNPA, the message is clear: the next phase will be less about reacting and more about shaping the rules of the game.
