Regulators
Zee forms interim committee of senior executives to oversee operations
Mumbai: Zee Entertainment Enterprises has replaced MD and CEO Punit Goenka with an interim committee of senior executives. The objective is to ensure seamless operations within the media and entertainment firm.
The development comes almost a month after the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued an interim order on 12 June, preventing Goenka and Essel Group chairman Subhash Chandra from occupying top managerial roles in any listed company.
In an internal email, Goenka wrote, “Over the last one month or so, there have been a lot of words that might have caught your attention. Especially the ones that came with a tinge of negativity. And hence I thought, it is important for me to pen down this note for all of you, to ensure that there is the utmost level of clarity and transparency.
As you all might have noted, on June 12, 2023, I was served with an ex-parte order by the SEBI, concerning certain transactions conducted at an Essel Group level in the year 2019. With the help of legal experts, I am exercising my legal rights to seek justice. SAT has given a hearing to the matter and has passed an order on July 10, 2023, setting a framework for this process. In line with the order and in accordance with the law, I am taking the next steps. There is nothing more to it.”
He further added, “Since the order restricts him from holding a directorial or key managerial position in a listed company, in the interim, the Board of our Company has constituted an Interim Committee of senior executives to ensure smooth operations and day-to-day functioning. The Interim Committee will be under the supervision of the Board and will seek its guidance on all matters pertaining to the Company.”
He continued that the important point to focus on is not what is happening to him but what is happening, or should happen to our great Company. The important point to be excited about is the fact that this Company is all set to merge with the most prestigious global media and entertainment brand – Sony.
He commented, “The proposed merger with Sony has reached a very important juncture. The Mumbai Bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has reserved its order for approval in the final stage of the hearing conducted on July 10, 2023. The merger has already been cleared by the Competition Commission of India (CCI), Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), National Stock Exchange (NSE) and above, by the esteemed shareholders of our Company.”
I&B Ministry
CBFC speeds up film certification; average approval time cut to 22 days
Over 71,900 films cleared in five years as digital system shortens approval timelines
MUMBAI: The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has significantly reduced the time taken to certify films, with the average approval timeline now down to 22 working days for feature films and just three days for short films.
Operating under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the statutory body certifies films for public exhibition in line with the Cinematograph Act, 1952 and the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024. The rules prescribe a maximum certification period of 48 working days, though the adoption of the Online Certification System has sharply accelerated the process.
Over the past five years, from 2020-21 to 2024-25, the board certified a total of 71,963 films across formats. Of these, the majority fell under the U category with 41,817 titles, followed by UA with 28,268 films and A with 1,878 films. No films were certified under the S category during the period.
Film approvals have also steadily risen in recent years. The CBFC cleared 8,299 films in 2020-21, a figure that peaked at 18,070 in 2022-23 before settling at 15,444 films in 2024-25. During the same period, 11,064 films were certified with cuts or modifications.
Despite the high volume of certifications, outright refusals remain rare. Only three films were denied certification over the last five years, with one refusal recorded in 2022-23 and two in 2024-25.
The board may recommend cuts or modifications if a film violates statutory parameters relating to the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, defamation, contempt of court or incitement to an offence.
Filmmakers can challenge CBFC decisions in court. Data shows that such disputes remain limited but have seen some fluctuation. Between 2021 and 2025, a total of 21 certification decisions were challenged before High Courts, with the number rising to 10 cases in 2025.
Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha, minister of state for information and broadcasting L. Murugan shared the data. The question was raised by Mallikarjun Kharge.
With faster timelines and a largely digital workflow, the certification process appears to be moving at a far brisker pace, signalling a shift towards quicker clearances for India’s growing film output.
