Rajat Sharma Quits Zee, May Join Sony Tv

Rajat Sharma, the high profile director, news and current affairs (N&CA), Zee TV and head of the New Delhi office, put in his papers yesterday. He is likely to join Sony Entertainment TV (SET).

Though Sharma, in his resignation letter, expressed a desire to set up his own production house, cable and satellite TV industry, sources opine that talks with SET are on and a final decision will be taken soon.

Attempts made to contact Rajat Sharma proved futile. However, Zee Network chief executive, Vijay Jindal, said: Everything will remain the same and Rajat Sharma will continue to work with Zee Network for its N&CA projects, including Aap Ki Adalat. Coinciding with the quitting of Sharma is the restructuring of Zee News. It has been broadbased to cater to emerging opportunities in the world of N&CA, a spokesperson for Zee Network said.

 

Zee TV last month closed down the 7 pm news bulletin in Hindi - which coincided with a news bulletin on Star Plus - soon after it had been put on air. The reason: objection from Star TV.

The relationship between Star TV and Zee TV had deteriorated of late with both accusing each other of breaching the agreement signed when Rupert Murdoch about three years back had picked up 49.5 per cent equity stake in ATL, the Hong Kong-based company. ATL has leased a transponder for Zee TV on Asiasat-1.

Sharmas exit at this time is a bad omen for Zee TVs co-promoter Subhash Chandra, a Delhi-based media analyst said.

Sharma, more famous for his Aap Ki Adalat, had been instrumental in setting up the news and current affairs division of Zee TV. he was also the moving force behind Zee news - which despite the usage of Hinglish has a sizeable fan following.

Rumours about Sharmas exit from Zee Network after Jindal joined as the companys CEO had been circulating for quite sometime despite assertions to the contrary by the parties concerned.