News Broadcasting
Zee Telefilms set to release three films including ‘Bhagmati’
MUMBAI: Zee Telefilms’ long-in-the-offing 2D animation film Bhagmati is finally ready for release. An early September opening of the film, that wrapped up in December 2003, is being planned.
The other two films coming up from the Zee stable in September are Khosla Ka Ghosla and One Dollar Curry.
Talking to Indiantelevision.com, Zee Telefilms Ltd Films Division CEO Nitin Keni said they would watch the first print of Bhagmati by next week and then will start the release process. Holding on to his theory that Indian market is not ready for theatrical animation films, Keni said that they would decide the release and distribution strategy of Bhagmati by analysing the response its promos would generate.
“We are planning 60 to 90 days of promotion for Bhagmati. Since Bhagmati is an adult love story, the general public is our target group. Though it is partially an animation film, it is a proper love story of two and half hours duration and here I can’t adopt a strategy that would work for children’s films,” said Keni. He didn’t revealBhagmati’s promotional strategy saying it is yet to be finalised.
Zee has co-produced One Dollar Curry with France TV and Silhouette Films. Zee is now marketing the film through overseas territories. Keni said the film was not targeted at India though they would release it here in some multiplexes. Directed by Vijay Singh, the movie stars Smriti Mishra of Sardari Begum fame.
Khosla ka Ghosla, targeted at the artistic circuit, is co-produced by Padmalaya Telefilms and Delhi-based Tandav Films. Zee will distribute the Dibakar Banerjee-directed movie starring Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Praveen Dabbas, Tara Sharma and Naveen Nischol.
Keni said that Zee was looking at different genres of films these days. “We have identified the business potential these short and low/mid-budget films have. We are in all areas of films now, taking up different genres.”
According to Keni, Zee Telefilms has commissioned one Telugu film with Jayapradha in it, apart from the Hindi remake of the Tamil movie Dhool starring Sunny Deol. When queried about the chances of launching another Gadar, he said it would take some time, though he has short listed two scripts.
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
