Latest news with #ZeeEntertainmentEnterprisesLimited
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Jatin Sethi on Expanding Regional Storytelling and Risk-Taking as Saunkan Saunkanay 2 Hits Theatres
, the founder of Naad Sstudios, has carved a unique path in India's diverse entertainment landscape. With commercially successful ventures across multiple languages and genres, Sethi stands out as a producer/studio with both vision and executional precision. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Following the release of Saunkan Saunkaney 2 , he reflects on his professional journey, approach to content, and his expansion strategy across geographies. Can you walk us through your career trajectory and entry into the media and entertainment sector? My professional journey began in the real estate sector in 2009, while my association with the entertainment industry started in 2015, when I joined Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited as an Advisor to the MD's office. During my tenure, I focused on regional film acquisitions, which gave me deep insights into localized content consumption patterns. That same year, I co-founded Naad Films and co-produced various digital projects, including Hacked , Judaa Hoke Bhi , 1920: Horrors of the Heart , and web series such as Bhram , Poison , Bhoot Purva , and Raktaanchal . In 2022, I launched Naad Sstudios, marking my formal foray into film production with Saunkan Saunkne , a Punjabi blockbuster. The film's success validated my strategic direction and encouraged me to expand across genres and linguistic territories. Since then, we've released Maurh in Punjabi and Annapoorni in Tamil/Telugu. What drives your decision to produce content in languages you don't personally speak? It often surprises people, but I am not fluent in Punjabi, Malayalam, Tamil, or Telugu—languages I've actively produced films in. However, I prioritise market intelligence. I maintain close engagement with regional stakeholders and audiences, listening carefully to what resonates with them. My decisions are backed by data, local insights, and cultural context. This combination allows me to greenlight the right stories, even outside my linguistic comfort zone. You've explored multiple genres as well. Is diversification part of your core content philosophy? Absolutely. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Some producers build a niche in one genre, but my approach is more expansive. I view each project as an opportunity to tell a new kind of story. Saunkan Saunkne and its sequel are rooted in comedy, while Annapoorni is a social drama. I'm currently exploring new thematic areas, with challenges converting into opportunities for my upcoming slate. Variety is not just a creative choice—it's a business strategy that hedges risk and maximises reach. Speaking of risk—your decisions often go against conventional industry thinking. How do you assess and manage risk? Many in the industry are guided by caution. I'm guided by conviction. I believed in mounting large-scale Punjabi films even when prevailing opinion advised otherwise due to limited non-theatrical rights returns. Saunkan Saunkne , Maurh , and Annapoorni were three high-investment projects, and all exceeded expectations, including in terms of streaming and rights sales. Taking calculated risks has enabled me to attract marquee talent—that is, actors, directors, and technicians who elevate the quality of each film. What's next for Naad Sstudios beyond Saunkan Saunkaney 2? We have a robust multi-language pipeline. Mirage is an upcoming Malayalam thriller directed by Jeethu Joseph (of Drishyam fame). We're producing Sarpatta Parambarai 2 , a Tamil sports drama that follows up the huge success of the widely acclaimed original. Talks are on for a Bengali project, which blends family drama with romance, with superstar Jeet. We're initiating two Marathi-language films, and scripting is underway for a Hindi film in the mythology genre. Simultaneously, we're diversifying into music through the launch of the Naad Music Label soon, for which we have already begun acquiring music rights of regional films.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
ZEEL Q4 profit rises to Rs 188.4 cr despite dip in ad revenue
Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEEL) has reported a growth of 1305 percent year-on-year (YoY) jump in its net profit for the quarter ending March 31, 2025. The company's net profit soared to INR 188.4 crore, a significant leap from INR 13.4 crore recorded in the same period last year. This impressive profit growth comes despite a considerable 24.56 percent decline in ZEEL's advertising revenue, which stood at INR 837.50 crore in Q4 FY25, down from INR 1,110.2 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year. ZEEL attributed this dip in domestic advertising revenue, which saw a sharper 27 percent YoY decrease, to factors including a slowdown in the broader advertising environment, the postponement of the Zee Cine Award , a busy sports calendar, and a higher comparative base in the previous year's fourth quarter. However, the company's subscription revenue provided a positive counterbalance, registering a 3.91 percent growth to reach INR 986.5 crore, up from INR 949.4 crore in Q4 FY24. ZEEL stated that this growth was driven by both its linear subscription services and its digital platform, ZEE5. Overall, ZEEL's total income saw a modest increase of 1.6 percent, reaching INR 2,220.3 crore compared to INR 2,185.3 crore in the same quarter of the previous year. This was supported by a 4.18 percent reduction in the company's total expenses, which fell to INR 1958.4 crore from INR 2043.8 crore. Operating costs also saw a slight decrease to INR 1281.9 crore from INR 1283 crore in the same period last year, although the company noted a sequential quarter-on-quarter increase due to higher syndication and movie production costs. ZEEL emphasised its ongoing commitment to strong cost discipline while strategically investing for future growth. Interestingly, advertising and publicity expenses witnessed a 13.55 percent increase, rising to INR 300 crore compared to INR 264.2 crore in Q4 FY24. Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) announced a 1305% year-on-year (YoY) increase in net profit for the quarter ending March 31, 2025, reaching INR 188.4 crore compared to INR 13.4 crore in the same period last year. Despite this strong profit growth, ZEEL's advertising revenue declined by 24.56 %, totaling INR 837.50 crore in Q3 FY25, down from INR 1,110.2 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The company said, Domestic advertising revenue declined by 27% YoY for the quarter due to slowdown in macro advertising environment , postponement of Zee Cine Award, busy sports calendar and higher base in Q4 FY24. Conversely, subscription revenue rose by 3.91%, reaching INR 986.5 crore, compared to INR 949.4 crore in Q3 FY24. zee said YoY Growth driven by both Linear subscription revenue and ZEE5. ZEEL's total income increased by 1.6 per cent to INR 2,220.3 crore compared to INR 2,185.3 crore in the same quarter of the previous year. The company's total expenses for the quarter decreased by 4.18 percent to INR 1958.4 crore from INR 2043.8 crore in the previous year. Operating costs declined to INR 1281.9 crore from INR 1283 crore. Increase in operating cost QoQ was driven by higher syndication & movies production cost. • Continue to maintain strong cost discipline across every element of cost structure and selectively investing for future growth. While advertising and publicity expenses increased by 13.55 % to INR 300 crore compared to INR 264.2 crore in Q3 FY24.
