GECs
‘Khatron Ke Khiladi: Darr Ka Blockbuster Returns’ gets an impressive opening
MUMBAI: Khatron Ke Khiladi: Darr Ka Blockbuster Returns, produced by Endemol India that premiered on 7 February, 2015 has yet again won the hearts of the audience. The captivating launch episode garnered a stupendous 4.01 TVR for the Week six of TAM TV ratings. The sixth season of the reality show promises to be even edgier and contestants will be seen performing death defying stunts at the scenic locales of Cape Town, South Africa.
Hosted by Rohit Shetty, the show’s premier weekend, has grabbed more eyeballs than The Comedy Show with Kapil Sharma. The reality show was the sixth most viewed in the genre and received viewership of 8,593 TVTs. With the danger & entertainment factor doubled in the current season, Rohit Shetty and Endemol India has designed over 60 nerve wracking stunts to enrapture their audience. In this season the action quotient will be higher than ever before and the audience adrenalin is sure to reach its peak as fear will follow the contestants 24×7 in the ‘Darr Ka Ghar’. The format has some interesting twists this season and will have a special theme every week to add the surprise element.
Endemol India managing director Deepak Dhar, “The action packed blockbuster season of Khatron Ke Khiladi: Darr Ka Blockbuster Returns has received an impressive opening. We are glad that viewers have liked the debut episode and will have more exciting and adrenalin pumping episodes in the coming weeks. The 4.01 TVR for the opening weekend episode is very encouraging and we are assertive of captivating the audience interest with some edgy stunts and nail biting moments.”
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.
