iWorld
Vodafone Idea faces Rs 4.15 crore GST penalty, plans challenge
MUMBAI: Vodafone Idea has found itself in a fresh tax tussle after receiving a sizeable order under the goods and services tax regime, but the telecom operator is gearing up to push back.
The deputy commissioner of the large taxpayer unit in West Bengal has passed an order under Section 73 of the CGST and SGST Acts, confirming a penalty of Rs 4,15,51,496, along with tax demand and applicable interest. The order was received on December 22, 2025.
Tax authorities have alleged excess availment of input tax credit and payment of tax under an incorrect head, among other issues. Vodafone Idea has rejected these findings and said it will take appropriate steps to seek rectification or reversal of the order.
In financial terms, the potential impact is limited to the amount of tax, interest and penalty demanded. There is no indication of any immediate operational fallout, keeping the dispute firmly in the legal domain as the company prepares its next move.
iWorld
Epic Company launches unified Epic Studio for films and OTT
Vivek Krishnani to head films business; Samar Khan leads OTT & Television.
MUMBAI: Epic just merged its creative superheroes under one cape because when films and OTT need to fight for attention together, you don’t keep them in separate universes. The Epic Company has launched Epic Studio, a next-generation creative and production powerhouse that unites Juggernaut Productions and Movieverse Studio under a single banner. The move creates a streamlined, scalable platform for premium storytelling across theatrical films, OTT originals, television, digital-first formats and branded content.
Vivek Krishnani has been appointed chief executive officer, Epic Studio (Films), overseeing the theatrical and film business with a focus on culturally resonant narratives across Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati and Malayalam cinema. Samar Khan continues as chief executive officer, Epic Studio (OTT & Television) and retains his role as chief content officer for Docubay and Epic On.
The Epic Company managing director Aditya Pittie said, “Epic Studio brings together our entire creative ecosystem under one unified studio vision. This is not just an integration of verticals, but the creation of a collaborative environment where writers, filmmakers, creators, and brand partners can seamlessly develop and scale stories across formats and screens.”
Vivek Krishnani added, “We are building an audience-focused mainstream film studio committed to delivering fresh, engaging, and innovative stories for both theatrical and streaming platforms.”
Samar Khan commented, “This alignment allows us to approach storytelling with a unified studio mindset. We are building IP under one creative umbrella, with scale and longevity in mind from inception.”
The unified structure eliminates silos, enabling ideas to flow fluidly from concept to screen while adapting to evolving audience behaviour. Epic Studio positions itself as a creator-led ecosystem championing purposeful, resonant storytelling with commercial strength.
In an entertainment landscape where stories now leap between screens faster than plot twists, Epic isn’t just building a studio, it’s crafting a single launchpad where every tale gets the best shot at soaring across every platform.
