News Broadcasting
CNN-IBN ‘Being’ to feature Mohanlal on 20 May
It is said that acting is half shame and half glory. Shame at exhibiting yourself and glory at forgetting yourself. In 300 films, over the past 25 years, Mohanlal has forgotten himself in characters who have varied from the everyman to the superman. He has played the fool, the lover, the hero and the anti hero with equal ease and been feted for his effortless portrayal of characters with a Padmashri and two National Awards
And yet people outside of Kerala only know him as the tough as nails, sharp shooting cop, Srinivasan in Ram Gopal Varma’s Company. He defends his decision to stay within the confines of Malayalam cinema by saying, ” I have to be comfortable in the language if I am going to move out of Malayalam films.” But Company was “an irresistible role”. Mohanlal soaked in the ambience of the sets and refused to retreat to his trailor between shots. Instead he would memorise his lines, almost like a disciplined schoolboy. And yet, discipline is one characteristic that Mohanlal claims he never brings to his preparation for his roles. He says “I don’t prepare knowingly but unknowingly.”
The rare exception was his last National award winning role, in a film he produced himself about a Kathakali dancer living on the brink of illusion and reality called Vanaprastham, which also made it to the Cannes Official selection in 1999. He brought a tinge of method acting to this role by learning Kathakali, and he says, “Characters in films are dead people and actors breathe soul into them.”
To find out more about this effortless, talented actor tune into Being Mohanlal on CNN IBN at 8:30 pm on Saturday and 3:30 pm on Sunday .
BEING showcases all celebrities from various walks of life –Sports, Politics, Films, Art and Business, too. In this half hour programme,, CNN-IBN will get under their skin and walk in their shoes to taste what its really like BEING…..And whether its worth it. Keeping them company through the ups and downs of that trip is Anuradha SenGupta.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 rolls out Battle for the States ahead of key polls
Multi-format election coverage tracks voter mood across five battleground states
NEW DELHI: CNN-News18 has launched a special election programming initiative titled Battle for the States, as India gears up for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Built around the theme ‘Road to Power’, the multi-format coverage aims to follow the entire electoral journey, from campaigning and polling to results and government formation. The network is leaning into on-ground reportage and data-backed storytelling to decode voter sentiment across regions where local issues often shape the narrative.
The programming line-up includes ‘Vote Tracker’, a three-part series developed in collaboration with survey agency Vote Vibe. The show blends survey insights with expert commentary and field reporting, using augmented reality graphics to present complex electoral data such as vote share, seat projections and leadership preferences in a more accessible format. It will air every Monday evening until April 6.
Adding a cultural lens to political reporting is ‘So Saree!’, a ground-driven segment where women anchors travel across constituencies dressed in traditional handwoven sarees from each state. The format uses attire as a storytelling device, highlighting regional identity while capturing grassroots voices.
Meanwhile, ‘Unfiltered Kaapi’ and ‘Chai-Niti’ bring a more conversational tone, drawing inspiration from everyday political discussions in tea stalls and coffee corners. These segments aim to break down key issues through candid, fast-paced exchanges between anchors and reporters, tailored to regional sensibilities.
For viewers seeking deeper insights, the weekend docuseries ‘Reporters Project’ takes a longer view, with correspondents travelling across constituencies to map voter concerns and political shifts on the ground.
“Elections are about people, their aspirations, identities and the issues that matter to them, and every state tells a different story,” said CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar. He added that the initiative focuses on understanding “the sentiment on the ground and what’s driving voter choices”.
Echoing the emphasis on credibility, Network18 CEO – English and business news Smriti Mehra said the network aims to combine on-ground reporting with data-led insights to deliver clear and timely coverage as the elections unfold.
With a mix of data, culture and grassroots reporting, CNN-News18 is positioning Battle for the States as a comprehensive window into one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles, where every vote carries a story waiting to be told.
