GECs
Zee TV UK’s watch party for “ChhoriyyanChali Gaon” delivers laughter, nostalgia, and rave reviews
MUMBAI: Zee TV UK hosted an exclusive Watch Party in Central London, offering a first look at its latest reality show ChhoriyyanChali Gaon (Beauties Goes to Village). The invite-only event welcomed over 35 guests from media, entertainment, and business, and delivered an evening filled with laughter, nostalgia, and heartfelt connection.
This event marks a first-of-its-kind initiative in the UK by any Indian television channel — a curated preview held a full week before the show’s official launch, underscoring Z’s commitment to innovation and audience engagement. The gesture was not just bold — it was precocious, setting the tone for a new era of immersive content experiences.
Guests were treated to a preview of the show’s first four contestants, whose journey from city life to village challenges sparked surprise, admiration, and plenty of laughter. From fetching water to cooking on mud stoves, the women’s experiences will resonate deeply with the audience, many of whom shared their own village memories during the evening and got emotional.
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. president – International Business, Amit Goenka stated, “Z has always stood at the forefront of innovation, and with ‘ChhoriyyanChali Gaon’, we are proud to pioneer a format that blends entertainment with cultural authenticity. This is not just a show — it’s a movement that reconnects our global audiences with the soul of India. Hosting a preview event in the UK, ahead of the official launch, is a bold step that reflects our commitment to creating immersive, meaningful experiences. We are proud to be the first Indian broadcaster to do so, and we believe this marks the beginning of a new chapter in culturally rooted storytelling.”
Hosted by Parul Goel, Territory Head of Zee Entertainment UK Ltd, the event featured gourmet starters and light drinks, creating a warm and festive atmosphere. A special video message from the deputy CEO and chief financial officer of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, India, Mukund Galgali, added gravitas, highlighting Z’s commitment to bold, culturally rich storytelling.
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees expressed that audiences are craving something new — a break from the repetitive reality formats that lack innovation or cultural depth. ChhoriyyanChali Gaon was hailed as a refreshing concept that reconnects Indians abroad with their roots, offering both entertainment and emotional resonance.
Attendees praised the show’s concept for reconnecting Indians abroad with their roots and expressed excitement for upcoming episodes. “Only Z could come up with something so real, so entertaining, and so close to home,” was a common sentiment. Guests left with smiles, stories, and genuine excitement for the episodes to come.
The evening concluded with warm wishes for the show’s success and appreciation for Z’s innovative programming. ChhoriyyanChali Gaon is poised to become a cultural bridge — one that entertains while celebrating the essence of Indian village life. The show is launching on 3 August at 9pm.
GECs
Sahara One reports financial results, notes director exit and business realignment
Muted revenues, steady expenses and strategic adjustments shape company’s current phase
MUMBAI: In a tale where the sands seem to be slipping faster than they can be gathered, Sahara One Media and Entertainment Limited has reported another quarter of wafer-thin income and widening losses, even as a boardroom exit adds to the unease.
The company informed the Bombay Stock Exchange that its board, in a meeting held on April 4, approved its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2025. The numbers paint a stark picture. Total income for the quarter stood at just Rs 0.13 lakh, unchanged sequentially and sharply down from Rs 0.26 lakh a year earlier.
Losses, meanwhile, deepened. The company posted a net loss of Rs 24.16 lakh for the quarter, compared to Rs 18.81 lakh in the June quarter and Rs 39.69 lakh in the same period last year. For the six months ended September 2025, the cumulative loss stood at Rs 39.69 lakh, while the full-year loss for FY25 was reported at Rs 60.72 lakh.
Expenses continued to outweigh income by a wide margin. Total expenses for the quarter came in at Rs 24.30 lakh, led by employee benefit costs of Rs 6.51 lakh and other expenses of Rs 17.78 lakh. Earnings per share remained in the red at Rs (0.11) for the quarter.
The balance sheet reflects a company with significant assets on paper but limited operational momentum. Total assets stood at Rs 23,065.57 lakh as of September 30, 2025, broadly unchanged from March 2025. Equity share capital remained steady at Rs 2,152.50 lakh, while total equity was reported at Rs 18,004.85 lakh.
Cash and cash equivalents saw a modest uptick to Rs 6.75 lakh from Rs 4.68 lakh earlier, supported by a positive operating cash flow of Rs 180.01 lakh for the period.
Yet, beneath these numbers lies a more complex narrative. The company’s auditors flagged their inability to obtain sufficient evidence to form a conclusion on the financial statements, citing lack of access to records. They also raised concerns over the company’s ability to continue as a going concern, pointing to insufficient funds, delayed recoveries, and stalled content investments.
Adding to the governance overhang, the company disclosed that Rana Zia has resigned as whole-time director, effective October 16, 2025, citing other professional commitments. The resignation, noted and accepted by the board, also brings an end to her role across company committees.
Regulatory pressures continue to loom large. The Securities and Exchange Board of India has already initiated penal actions for non-compliance with listing norms, with trading in the company’s shares remaining suspended. There is also a risk of promoter demat accounts being frozen.
Legacy legal issues remain unresolved. A substantial deposit of Rs 694,027.88 thousand linked to the long-running OFCD dispute involving Sahara group entities is still under the purview of the Supreme Court of India. Restrictions on asset disposal continue to weigh on the company’s financial flexibility.
Operationally, challenges persist across multiple fronts. Advances worth Rs 1,92,916 thousand given for film content remain stuck, with delays in project completion and uncertain recoverability. The company’s YouTube channel, despite being operational, has generated no revenue for over three years due to compliance lapses. In a further twist, management has indicated that revenues may have been fraudulently diverted through unauthorised changes to its AdSense account, with a police complaint in the works.
There are also missed revenue opportunities. Television content rights continue to be used by a related party despite the expiry of the licence agreement, with fresh negotiations still underway.
For now, Sahara One Media and Entertainment Limited appears caught between legacy disputes and present-day operational hurdles. As losses linger and governance questions mount, the road to recovery looks less like a sprint and more like a slow trudge through shifting sands.
