Newshound

The enterprising 8216;8216;entertainer8217;8217; Gautam Adhikari is busy restructuring his business to chart out a new growth path. After selling off his channel SAB TV to global entertainment giant Sony, the tycoon will soon be launching himself into the already crowded news space with Janmat. He insists this will be a news channel with a difference, since it will seek to focus on news blended with people8217;s views. Adhikari has launched a nationwide talent hunt to find new anchors. On board already are names like Vir Sanghvi and Karan Thapar.

The tycoon is also considering entry into other 8216;8216;entertaining options8217;8217; other than the small screen. With the government lowering the license fee and announcing introduction of a new revenue sharing arrangement for FM Radio, Gautam is now mulling joining the FM bandwagon and may float a new brand and a separate company for it. Given that biggies like Anil Dhirubai Ambani Enterprises ADAE, HT Media, Sun TV are all currently bracing up for an entry as the second round of bidding for FM Radio approaches, Adhikari surely will have to do his homework well to make a mark in the arena.

Celebrity offer

Venkatesh Rajagopal is an entrepreneur of a different kind. Venturing into garment business in 1989 with his shirt-making venture Celebrity Fashions after a decade in the Indian Police Service, the tycoon has traversed a long way. His Rs 160 crore company, more known for the menswear brand 8216;8216;Indian Terrain8217;8217; than his much larger exports, continues to draw investor attention ever since Anil Ambani bought a 13.2 per cent stake in September.

Fully aware of the attention he has been drawing after the Ambani deal and the current bull-run in Dalal Street, the Chennai-based tycoon realises that he needs to scale up capacity to take advantage of the high growth potential of Indian textiles in the global market amid the quota-free regime. The funds to be raised via an IPO will be used for setting up new factories, and of course for expansion of exclusive stores for his 8216;8216;Indian Terrain8217;8217; brand. The 8216;8216;Babu-turned-tycoon8217;8217; also seems keen on acquisitions.

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