Hindi
Government cracks down on TV content violations
Private channels received 144 actions for breaching Programme and Advertising Codes in five years.
MUMBAI: When the remote control meets the rulebook, even popular shows can find themselves on the wrong side of the law and India’s television regulators have been keeping a sharp eye on the screen. Private television channels in India are facing stricter scrutiny, with the government taking action against 144 violations of the Programme Code and Advertising Code over the last five years.
According to data shared by the minister of state for Information and Broadcasting, Dr L. Murugan, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, the Ministry issued advisories, warnings, apology scroll orders and off-air directions to erring channels.
The breakdown of actions from 2021 to 2025 is as follows:
Advisories to specific channels: 35
Warnings: 50
Orders for apology scrolls: 54
Off-air orders: 3
Cancellation of permission: 1
Order for disclaimer: 1
Total actions: 144
The highest number of actions were recorded in 2022 (52), followed by 2021 (43). The numbers dropped sharply in 2024 (4) and 2025 (8).
The Programme Code prohibits content that is obscene, attacks religions or communities, promotes communal attitudes, or criticises/maligns individuals or groups. The Advertising Code bars indecent, vulgar, suggestive or offensive themes in commercials.
Complaints are handled through a three-level grievance redressal mechanism: first by the broadcaster itself, then by Self-Regulating Bodies, and finally through an oversight mechanism by the Central Government.
The government also regulates print and digital media. Newspapers must follow the Press Council of India’s Norms of Journalistic Conduct, while digital news publishers and online curated content fall under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
From saas-bahu dramas to prime-time debates, Indian television remains a lively space, but these figures show that when lines are crossed, the Ministry is ready to switch off the show or at least make the channel say sorry on air.
Hindi
Zee5 and Applause Entertainment team up for whodunnit ‘Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa’
Rajat Kapoor directs star-studded murder mystery streaming from 10 April.
MUMBAI: Zee5 is serving up another killer collaboration and this time, the murder mystery comes with a generous side of dark humour and family dysfunction. The streaming platform has partnered with Applause Entertainment and Mithya Talkies to bring Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa, a fresh, twisted whodunnit written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker and actor Rajat Kapoor. The film will stream exclusively on Hindi Zee5 from 10 April.
The movie reimagines the classic murder mystery genre with a contemporary, darkly comic edge. It revolves around a group of friends and family who smile, drink, and celebrate together until the silence snaps and long-buried secrets spill out. The stellar ensemble cast includes Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey, Waluscha De Sousa, Saurabh Shukla, Chandrachoor Rai, Neil Bhoopalam, Koel Purie, Palomi Ghosh, and Rajat Kapoor himself.
This latest offering continues the successful partnership between Zee5 and Applause Entertainment, which has previously delivered diverse hits such as Mithya, Bloody Brothers, and Jab Khuli Kitaab.
&TV Business Head of hindi Zee5 and chief channel officer Kaveri Das said, “Our collaboration with Applause Entertainment has consistently delivered distinct, high-impact storytelling. Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa is a natural progression, reinforcing our focus on genre-led content with a compelling whodunnit premise and a strong ensemble cast.”
Applause Entertainment business head for movies Sunil Chainani added, “This film adds yet another compelling layer to our slate with Rajat Kapoor’s unmistakable voice.”
Rajat Kapoor shared, “What interested me was not just the mechanics of a whodunnit, but the emotional violence that precedes physical violence. These are people who smile at each other, but there’s so much that is not said.”
The film promises razor-sharp writing, layered performances, and simmering tension, inviting viewers not just to solve the crime but to unravel the complex relationships at its heart.
If you love a good murder mystery served with wit and emotional depth, Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa looks set to be your next addictive watch. Mark your calendars, the whodunnit drops on Hindi Zee5 from 10 April.
