Latest news with #SanjayDwivedi
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Balaji Telefilms bets on films, digital as traditional TV loses steam
Balaji Telefilms is restructuring its business strategy with a sharper focus on movies and digital content , aiming to reduce its reliance on traditional television, which is under pressure due to pay-TV erosion and industry consolidation impacting margins. Historically, television has been the company's core business, with Balaji dominating primetime for years and delivering a string of popular shows. During the company's Q4 and FY25 earnings call on July 4, Group CEO and CFO Sanjay Dwivedi said the company is at the cusp of a turning point, driven by internal consolidation, strategic partnerships, and a redefined content distribution strategy. 'Over the next 2.5 to 3 years, movies will become the group's primary growth driver, followed by digital, with television as the third focus area,' Dwivedi told investors. 'We look at the content business broadly—whether TV or digital—alongside our motion pictures division and our B2C digital operations, including platforms like YouTube, Meta, and our proprietary app.' A key initiative during the year was the merger of ALT Balaji and Marinating Films into Balaji Telefilms, streamlining operations, reducing cost redundancies, and enabling significant tax benefits. This consolidation is expected to improve resource allocation across its core verticals, movies, television, and digital content. Among the notable developments was a long-term content partnership with Netflix. Described by Dwivedi as 'not a one-show, one-movie, or single-format deal,' the multi-year agreement spans various formats including direct-to-OTT films, telenovelas, binge-watch series, and reality shows. The collaboration builds on Balaji's earlier Netflix projects such as Kathal, Pagglait, and Jaane Jaan. Balaji also revamped its digital strategy, moving away from a purely subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) model to a hybrid framework that incorporates both SVOD and ad-supported video-on-demand (AVOD). 'Relying solely on SVOD has been a financial drag,' said Dwivedi. 'Our app now operates on both ad-supported and subscription-based models.' This shift helped reduce ALT Balaji's cash burn from over ₹120-145 crore annually to just ₹35 lakh per month. The platform currently has over two million active users and added 3.29 lakh subscriptions in Q4, including 1.73 lakh renewals. Still, Dwivedi emphasized that ALT Balaji would now form a 'smaller piece' of the broader digital strategy, as the company expands its presence across platforms. Balaji Telefilms, he said, is keeping production costs for its app-based content low, with shows costing around ₹2.5–3 lakh each. This means the app will not significantly burden the company's balance sheet. The platform is still a small part of the overall business, but the company plans to diversify its offerings and launch a cleaner, more refined version of the app in the future, he noted. On the B2B front, Balaji has built a digital content order book worth over ₹300 crore, with projects commissioned by platforms such as JioCinema and Hotstar. 'Three shows were delivered in the last fiscal, two of which—Power of Paanch and Kull—performed strongly on JioHotstar. We are also in talks for second seasons,' said Dwivedi. To further broaden its digital reach, Balaji launched Kutting, a short-form vertical video platform similar to Instagram Reels and is developing regional content in Tamil and Telugu. The company's new YouTube channel crossed one million subscribers within a month of its launch. The film division, which Balaji expects to be its main growth engine over the next three years, is gaining momentum. Using a pre-sale and co-production model, the company recovers 85-90% of production costs before release. 'We don't greenlight any movie until digital rights are secured,' Dwivedi noted. 'Across our film portfolio, we've delivered a 22% return on capital over six years.' The upcoming movie slate includes Vrushabha starring Mohanlal, set for a Diwali 2025 release; Bhoot Bangla featuring Akshay Kumar and directed by Priyadarshan; and Vvan, a collaboration with The Viral Fever starring Sidharth Malhotra. Balaji plans to double its annual movie output from three to six films. Despite its legacy in television, the segment is facing yield and margin pressures. 'TV yields remain under stress, still down by more than 25% compared to pre-COVID levels,' Dwivedi said. Flagship shows like Bade Achhe Lagte Hain Phir Se and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi are ongoing, while discussions are underway with Colors for new titles, including a fresh season of Naagin. For FY25, Balaji reported revenue of ₹453 crore, down from ₹625 crore the previous year. However, net profit surged to ₹84.6 crore from ₹19.4 crore. The company also raised ₹130.7 crore in new capital during the year, with participation from promoters. The funds are being allocated across movies (₹65 crore), digital and music content (₹33 crore), and general corporate purposes (₹32.5 crore). 'In three years, we expect movies to be our primary business, followed by digital, with television becoming the third revenue stream,' Dwivedi reiterated. Looking ahead, Balaji is optimistic about rising content demand and platform growth. The company recently launched Kalnagri, an AI-generated show, as part of its push into tech-driven content creation. However, Dwivedi ruled out a digital business spin-off for now. 'Once the business scales and there's enough investor interest to unlock value, we can consider evaluating that option,' he said.
NDTV
04-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Setback For Saif Ali Khan, Family As Rs 15,000 Crore Property Case Goes To Retrial
Jabalpur: In a major judicial development concerning one of Bhopal's most protracted royal property disputes, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has set aside a two-decade-old trial court judgment and ordered a fresh hearing in the celebrated case involving the descendants of the erstwhile Nawab of Bhopal, late Mohammad Hamidullah Khan. A single bench of Justice Sanjay Dwivedi, delivering the verdict on first appeals, ruled that the civil suits pertaining to the division of the Nawab's estate were erroneously dismissed by the District Court, Bhopal, in 2000. The trial court had based its ruling on a now over-ruled precedent laid down by the Allahabad High Court in the Talat Fatima Hasan case. The appellants, comprising multiple family members including noted celluloid figure Sharmila Tagore, Saif Ali Khan and his sister. Two civil suits were filed in 1999 seeking partition, possession, and a proper accounting of the ancestral estate that includes an expansive list of properties across categories. They contended that, upon Nawab Hamidullah Khan's death in 1960, the properties -- asserted to be his personal holdings -- should have devolved upon his heirs under Muslim Personal Law, and not solely upon his daughter, Begum Sajida Sultan. However, the Government of India had, through a letter dated January 10, 1962, recognised Sajida Sultan as the sole successor, citing the Bhopal Merger Agreement of 1949 and provisions under Article 366(22) of the Constitution. The defence argued that under the law of primogeniture and terms of the merger, the ruler's private properties passed entirely to the appointed successor of the Gaddi - not to be divided amongst heirs. The High Court has now found fault with the trial court's heavy reliance on the Allahabad judgment, which the Supreme Court explicitly overturned in 2020, affirming that private property of erstwhile rulers must be treated under personal succession laws and not merely as political inheritance. Given the "outdated legal basis" of the original ruling and the nature of the dispute, which hinges on familial succession and claims over significant immovable property, the High Court invoked its powers under Order 14 Rule 23A of the Civil Procedure Code to remand the matter back for retrial. Acknowledging the long pendency of the case - originally filed more than two decades ago - the Court urged the lower court to expedite proceedings and ideally conclude the trial within one year. The judgment signals a renewed legal battle over the legacy and wealth of one of India's most storied princely houses, where tradition, law, and lineage continue to intersect in complex and often contested ways.
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Business Standard
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Indian OTT platforms continue to expand, but on smaller scale with low risk
Indian media and entertainment companies continue to rely on their streaming segments, but at a cautious pace—focusing on profitability and limiting financial risk. Major players with pan-India audiences, such as Zee Entertainment Enterprises' (ZEEL) ZEE5 and Balaji Telefilms-backed ALTT, have reduced operational costs over the years and rebranded their over-the-top (OTT) platforms. While the OTT industry broadly aims to cut costs, media analysts and executives note that this trend is more prominent among platforms launched by Indian companies, which cannot match the spending capacity of global giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. The only notable exception is Reliance Industries-backed JioHotstar. 'OTT platforms have been present in India for the last 10 to 15 years… Even the most lenient investors would like to see some return right now,' said a media analyst, on the condition of anonymity. In FY25, ZEE5 recorded an EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) loss of Rs 550 crore, down from Rs 1,110 crore in FY24. This reduction was largely achieved through cost-cutting measures. In an investor presentation, ZEEL stated it aims to break even on ZEE5 from an EBITDA loss of Rs 548 crore (excluding network costs) in FY25, and is now positioned to become a leading and profitable OTT player, having completed its recent investment cycle. ALTT, meanwhile, has consciously scaled down operations, said Sanjay Dwivedi, group chief executive officer and chief financial officer, Balaji Telefilms. The company was burning Rs 145 crore annually to sustain the segment, which was unsustainable. 'As a result, we cut down on cost and reworked our strategy. We want to be Thums Up to Coke... Netflix and Prime Video will exist, and we will exist in a smaller way—we don't want to burn cash,' he said. According to Vivek Menon, managing partner at NV Capital, a media and entertainment fund, this shift is more visible among pan-India streaming platforms—particularly those buying content from Bollywood and the Tamil and Telugu markets, where content costs are higher. He added that OTT adoption only truly accelerated post-COVID, so the business is still in cash burn mode to build a subscriber base and requires a long, patient approach. 'It is a tough game right now for Indian players because the industry is still in the growth stage. The audience has enough free alternatives to consume content. Also, a streaming platform needs massive pockets to succeed,' the analyst said. Shemaroo Entertainment's Gujarati-focused platform ShemarooMe is 'on the road to profitability and viability,' according to Saurabh Srivastava, chief operating officer, digital business, Shemaroo Entertainment. Srivastava noted that the company saw high double-digit revenue growth in Q1 FY26, and will continue investing in its streaming platform. He said the industry is learning to rationalise operational costs and push for higher returns on investment. The subscriber base also grew by a high double-digit percentage year-on-year in Q1 FY26. Meanwhile, Hoichoi—a subscription-based video-on-demand (SVOD) platform focused on Bengali-language content—achieved cash breakeven in FY24. The platform currently hosts close to 200 original web series. 'As a production house creating Bengali films and TV for 30 years, transitioning to web content was a natural evolution,' said Vishnu Mohta, co-founder, Hoichoi. 'We focused deeply on one language—Bengali—and on serving that audience consistently. Over 60 per cent of our total expenses go into content creation. That's intentional. Unlike many platforms that spend heavily on marketing even when unit economics don't work, we've always aimed to keep marketing spends below 30 per cent of direct revenue.' He added that this approach—combined with strong intellectual property (IP) creation and organic subscriber growth—has kept the company profitable over the last few years and cash-flow positive for the past couple. Just as Balaji Telefilms expects its digital business to grow, Mohta noted that Hoichoi is considered a core business for its parent company. Media executives and analysts broadly agree that the OTT industry continues to grow, with each platform finding its niche. With several sub-segments still underserved, there is ample room for differentiated growth. 'Moving forward, it looks like most networks have a grasp on how the OTT model works and how one can monetise through subscriptions and advertising. The fact that ZEE5 is completely rebranding itself shows that investment in the sector will continue,' Menon said.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Time of India
‘Vendetta': HC Quashes Rape FIR Filed by Woman Against Brothers, Parents
B hopal/Jabalpur: The Madhya Pradesh High Court quashed an FIR lodged by a woman against her two brothers, accusing them of rape, and her parents for aiding and abetting the crime. The bench of Justice Sanjay Dwivedi stated that the woman lodged the FIR as an act of vendetta after her brothers and parents refused to give her money. To proceed with the case would be sheer abuse of the legal process, Justice Dwivedi said in the recent order. The two brothers, who are govt employees, and their parents faced charges under IPC for rape, voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation, criminal conspiracy, and causing the disappearance of evidence after the woman filed an FIR on October 16, 2022. She claimed her brothers raped her on February 22 that year, and that her father and mother deliberately turned up the TV volume to drown out her cries for help. The accused moved HC, pleading that the FIR was lodged with the intention to frame them in a false case. They said she moved in with the parents after her second divorce and demanded Rs 10,000 from each of them and her brothers. When her parents refused to give her money, she thrashed them and threatened to frame them in a fake case, said the petition. Her mother lodged a police complaint in this regard on August 22, 2022. When police questioned the daughter then, she didn't say anything about the alleged rape, and there was no justification for lodging the FIR eight months later, in October 2022, the court said. After hearing all sides, HC ordered the quashing of the FIR.
News18
30-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Modiji Consoled Us Like Kin: Pahalgam Victim Shubham Dwivedi's Family On Their Meet With PM
Last Updated: "When my daughter-in-law and I broke down, Modiji said this fight against terrorism is not over yet. 'Operation Sindoor' will continue,' Sanjay Dwivedi said In a poignant moment at Kanpur's Chakeri Airport on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his one-day visit to the city, paid tribute to the courage and sacrifice of Shubham Dwivedi – the young man from Kanpur who was killed in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Meeting his grieving family, including wife Alshanya and parents Sanjay and Seema Dwivedi, the Prime Minister offered words of solace and assured them that 'Operation Sindoor" was not over, and that the government remains committed to eliminating terrorism. #WATCH | Kanpur, UP: After meeting PM Modi, Sanjay Dwivedi, father of Shubham Dwivedi, who lost his life in #PahalgamTerroristAttack, says, 'Our family expressed gratitude as in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack, an operation was launched against terrorism, the terrorist… — ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2025 EMOTIONAL MEETING AT KANPUR AIRPORT Shubham's wife Alshanya, his father Sanjay Dwivedi, and his mother Seema were present during the interaction. According to family members, the Prime Minister appeared visibly moved by their pain. 'When my daughter-in-law and I broke down, Modiji consoled us like one of our own. He said this fight against terrorism is not over yet – ' Operation Sindoor ' will continue," Sanjay Dwivedi told News18 after the meeting with the PM. 'I AM A HINDU': SHUBHAM'S FINAL WORDS Shubham Dwivedi, who had married just weeks earlier on February 12, was vacationing with his wife and her sister in the scenic Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, when terrorists opened fire on unarmed Hindu tourists. Shubham, according to eyewitness accounts shared with the family, stood in front of the attackers without fear and declared his identity – 'I am a Hindu." He was shot point-blank in the head. 'He took the first bullet, but saved many lives," said his father. 'His courage was not ordinary – it was heroic. His presence of mind gave others those crucial few seconds to run and survive," his father said. During his address in Kanpur later in the day, Prime Minister Modi referred to the incident and said, 'In the cowardly attack in Pahalgam, our son from Kanpur, Shubham Dwivedi, became a victim of brutality," the PM said. 'But the pain and fury of our daughters like Alshanya (Shubham's wife) has echoed in the form of 'Operation Sindoor'. The world has seen that fury," the PM further said during his address. The Prime Minister said that the military operation, launched on 7 May across the Line of Control in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, had devastated terrorist hideouts deep within enemy territory. 'We entered their homes, hundreds of miles inside, and destroyed the breeding grounds of terror," he said. 'Our army's valour compelled the Pakistani forces to beg for a ceasefire. But I want to make it clear – the enemy who was begging during Operation Sindoor should not be under any illusion. The operation is not over yet." #WATCH | Kanpur, UP: After meeting PM Modi, Wife of Shubham Dwivedi, who lost his life in #PahalgamTerroristAttack, Aishanya Dwivedi says, 'PM Modi said that the entire nation and the government are standing with us. He offered his condolences…PM Modi was very sad…PM Modi… — ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2025 CALL FOR MARTYR STATUS? Since the attack, the family has made only one request to the government – that Shubham be officially recognised as a martyr. However, on his demand, Shubham's father said that he met the PM just to express his gratitude for 'Operation Sindoor'. 'It was not a suitable time to raise the demand," he said. Initially, the Dwivedi family had raised the demand that Shubham's sacrifice should be honoured, for the sake of every Indian who believes in dharma and courage. Alshanya has been inconsolable since the tragedy. In her tearful exchange with the Prime Minister, she too thanked the PM for his visit and said those responsible should be punished. Shubham was cremated with full state honours on April 24 in his native village, an event attended by Uttar Pradesh cabinet ministers Yogendra Upadhyay and Rakesh Sachan. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath later visited the Dwivedi home personally and promised 'every possible support" to the bereaved family. The attack in Pahalgam claimed 26 lives, including that of a Nepali tourist. The Dwivedis maintain that their son was targeted for his religious identity. 'This wasn't random violence," a family member explained. 'He was attacked because of his faith, and he embraced it even in his last breath. That is the spirit of Bharat." top videos View all SUPPORT ACROSS PARTY LINES On April 30, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also met the Dwivedi family and backed their demand to declare Shubham a martyr. For the family, however, their final hope lies with the Prime Minister. 'We trust Modiji," Sanjay said. 'He has seen pain and understands what it means to lose a son for the country." tags : Narendra Modi news18 specials Operation Sindoor Pahalgam attack Location : Lucknow, India, India First Published: May 30, 2025, 18:05 IST News india Modiji Consoled Us Like Kin: Pahalgam Victim Shubham Dwivedi's Family On Their Meet With PM
