News Broadcasting
Zees Buddha wows buyers
CANNES: Mipcom presents the perfect opportunity to mix business with pleasure. And so it was that the producer of Zee TV’s latest series Buddha, BK Modi, hosted a lavish bash at Cannes’ La Mandala Beach on 8 October to introduce the series to the international market even as his guests partied the night away.
The party was organised by Indiantelevision.com’s ITV 2.0 Productions on behalf of Buddha Films.
One couldn’t have asked for a better setting, what with the glistening waves, cool breeze and interim light showers coupled with scrumptious snacks and drinks that flowed freely.
While the first episode of Buddha played out on the mammoth screen, the invitees – Indians as well as lovers of all things Indian from across the globe – set the dance floor on fire with some signature Bollywood moves. The party continued till the wee hours of the morning and Buddha surely impressed – with its costumes, sets, graphics and more so, its production quality.
For those among the industry who’ve been waiting to see the actor who plays Buddha, here’s some dope: “He’s a debutant,” according to Modi and will be announced on 13 October. Apparently, he had to undergo rigorous training to get under the skin of the Buddha.
News Broadcasting
UDF poised to return to power in Kerala, says Manorama-CVoter survey
Massive opinion poll projects shift in Kerala politics ahead of 2026 Assembly elections.
MUMBAI: The winds of change appear to be blowing through Kerala’s political landscape and this time, they seem to favour the United Democratic Front. A comprehensive mega opinion survey conducted by Manorama News in partnership with CVoter projects a potential comeback for the UDF in the upcoming Kerala Legislative Assembly Elections 2026. The survey, covering all 140 constituencies with a massive sample size of nearly 90,000 respondents, predicts the UDF could win between 69 and 81 seats.
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is expected to secure 57 to 69 seats, a significant drop from the 99 seats it won in the 2021 elections. This would mean the LDF losing 30 to 42 of its sitting seats. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which drew a blank in 2021, is projected to open its account with 1 to 5 seats.
Region-wise, the UDF is expected to make strong gains in Malabar, winning 25 to 34 out of 48 seats, and in Central Kerala, where it could bag 29 to 33 out of 53 seats. In South Kerala, the LDF is likely to retain an edge with 21 to 25 seats, while the UDF may improve to 12 to 16 seats. The NDA could pick up 1 to 3 seats in the southern region.
The survey was conducted between 14 and 26 March 2026, with additional tracker and snap polls carried out from December 2025 to March 2026. A total of 89,693 respondents participated, ensuring representation across all demographics and social segments.
Manorama News has a strong track record of accuracy, with its previous projections closely matching the actual results of the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well as the 2021 Kerala Assembly polls.
In Kerala’s famously fierce political battles, this survey suggests the pendulum may be swinging back. Whether the final verdict matches these numbers or throws up another surprise, one thing is clear, the 2026 Assembly elections are shaping up to be one of the most keenly watched contests in the state’s history.
