GECs
ZIMA certifies first batch of ‘SMOKE’ students
Even as the next six batches are underway, Zee Institute of Media Arts (ZIMA) along with Autodesk Media and Entertainment certified its first batch of students trained on the Autodesk Discreet SMOKE system. A first of its kind in the industry, the SMOKE course was launched in October 2005 at ZIMA and has received tremendous feedback from the industry. The first batch consisted of five students who received their certificates from Autodesk Media and Entertainment, Montreal. SMOKE is Autodesk Media and Entertainment’s high-end online editing and finishing system and the ZIMA course is aimed at professionals currently employed with the TV and film industries and are looking to enhance their career prospects.
“It is extremely gratifying for Autodesk Media and Entertainment to witness the first batch of professionally trained SMOKE artists graduating from ZIMA. The feedback from the students has been extremely positive and the course has helped them to enhance their career prospects within the industry. I wish the students the best of luck in their future endeavours and hope that the knowledge that they have gained here, will help them to convert their creative ideas into reality.” – Mr. Pankaj Kedia Regional Manager, South East Asia & India Autodesk Media and Entertainment.
“The industry feedback to the course has been very encouraging. We started with a single batch of five students. The second round of enrollments includes six batches and a total of about 25 students. I believe that this is a clear indicator of the comprehensiveness of the course as well as the demand for skilled talent in the industry. The Autodesk Discreet Smoke is the industry standard in editing and therefore it greatly compliments our existing courses in editing and film technologies.” – Mr. S Mukundan, Sr. Vice President (Products), Zee Interactive Learning Systems.
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.
