Preity Zinta Shares Insights on 8-Hour Workday Debate Amid Deepika Padukone's Advocacy Preity Zinta has opened up about her experience working 18-hour days during the shoot of her film Vibe, shedding light on the broader conversation about work hours in the Indian film industry. Her comments came during a trailer launch event, where she addressed the controversy sparked by Deepika Padukone’s push for an 8-hour workday for female actors. Zinta explained that her decision to work long hours was driven by personal circumstances, emphasizing her desire to return to her family in America as quickly as possible. “I was working 18 hours because I wanted to finish my work as soon as possible to return to America to be with my kids. My whole focus was, ‘It’s okay, I’ll come, I’ll finish it, bas mera kaam jaldi khatam karo,’” Zinta said, reflecting on the demanding nature of the shoot. She described the filming process as grueling, noting that the project, despite being a comedy, involved long hours and challenging conditions. “The shoots were very long almost every day,” she added, highlighting the physical and emotional toll of the schedule. Zinta also acknowledged the complexities of film production, citing factors like unpredictable weather, illness, and the need to meet tight deadlines. “There was a lot of action; there were other variables; sometimes it was raining, sometimes we were sick,” she explained. Despite these challenges, she remained committed to completing the project, stating that her priority was to fulfill her professional obligations while balancing her family responsibilities. The discussion around work hours gained momentum in 2025, when Deepika Padukone became a prominent voice in the debate.#deepika_padukone #cnbc_tv18 #preity_zinta #harper_s_bazaar #vibe
HAL Q1 Profit Jumps 15% as Maharatna Defence PSU Beats Street, Margin Expands Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) reported a stronger-than-expected financial performance for the first quarter of fiscal year 2027, surpassing estimates for profit, revenue, and EBITDA. The Maharatna defence public sector unit (PSU) also saw an expansion in its EBITDA margin, which exceeded market expectations. The results, announced on August 12, 2026, triggered a significant positive reaction in the stock market, with HAL shares rising over 3% following the earnings release. The company’s net profit for the quarter grew by 14.7% year-on-year to ₹1,580 crore, surpassing the ₹1,493 crore estimated by CNBC-TV18’s poll of analysts. Revenue for the quarter increased by 14.4% to ₹5,515 crore, outperforming the ₹5,268-crore forecast. The operating performance was even more robust, with EBITDA rising 18.8% year-on-year to ₹1,529 crore, compared to the ₹1,358 crore expected by the poll. The EBITDA margin expanded to 27.7% from 26.6% in the same period the previous year, further highlighting the company’s improved operational efficiency. The strong financial results were attributed to a combination of factors, including increased demand for defence equipment, successful execution of key projects, and cost optimization measures. HAL’s ability to meet and exceed expectations in multiple financial metrics underscored its resilience in a competitive sector. The company’s performance also reflected the broader growth trajectory of the Indian defence industry, which has been bolstered by government initiatives to boost indigenous manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports. The positive market response to the results was immediate.#national_stock_exchange #hindustan_aeronautics_ltd #cnbc_tv18 #maharatna_defence_psu #indian_defence_industry
Waaree Energies shares fall 6% after subdued Q1 operating performance; Nomura says 'buy' Shares of Waaree Energies Ltd. dropped as much as 6% on Thursday, July 30, following the release of its June quarter financial results. The company reported its figures after market hours on Wednesday, revealing a 79.2% year-over-year increase in revenue to ₹7,932 crore. However, this figure fell short of the CNBC-TV18 poll estimate of ₹8,100 crore. The group also recognized ₹349.8 crore in income from U.S. refund or reciprocal duties under the IEEPA tariffs, contributing to other operating revenue. Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortisation (EBITDA) for the quarter reached ₹1,440 crore, a 44% rise from ₹997 crore in the same period last year. Despite this growth, the EBITDA figure was below analysts' expectations of ₹1,677 crore. The EBITDA margin contracted by over four percentage points to 18.2% from 22.5% in the prior year. At the end of the June quarter, the company reported order inflows of ₹16,000 crore, with an overall order book valued at ₹61,500 crore. Waaree Energies maintained its full-year operating EBITDA guidance, which remains between ₹7,000 crore and ₹7,700 crore. However, the company's performance declined sequentially, with revenue falling 11%, adjusted EBITDA dropping 31%, and net profit more than halving, reflecting a 52% decline compared to the previous quarter. Brokerage firm Nomura retained its "buy" rating on Waaree Energies, setting a price target of ₹3,750. This target implies a potential 37% upside from current levels. Nomura attributed the adjusted EBITDA shortfall to persistent margin pressures, which offset the company's strong execution. The firm highlighted the robust order book as a key factor, suggesting it provides visibility for future growth.#us #nomura #cnbc_tv18 #waaree_energies #ieepa
HPCL Reports Strong Q4 Performance and Approves Record Dividend Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL) announced robust financial results for its March quarter, highlighting a significant rise in net profit and approving its highest dividend payout in five years. The state-run oil refiner’s board declared a dividend of ₹19 per share for the financial year 2026, surpassing previous payouts and reflecting improved operational performance. The results were met with positive market reaction, with HPCL shares rising up to 2% following the announcement. For the March quarter, HPCL reported a net profit of ₹4,901 crore, far exceeding the ₹2,120 crore forecast by CNBC-TV18. This marks a 20% sequential increase in net profit compared to the previous quarter. Revenue for the quarter stood at ₹1.15 lakh crore, matching the December quarter’s figures but slightly below the ₹1.35 lakh crore projected by the financial outlet. The company’s Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortisation (EBITDA) surged 28% to ₹8,979 crore, driven by expanded margins that rose 170 basis points to 7.8% from 6.1% in the prior quarter. The financial year’s Gross Refining Margin (GRM) reached $8.79 per barrel, a notable increase from $5.74 per barrel in the previous financial year. For the fourth quarter alone, the GRM was $14.5 per barrel, though this fell short of the CNBC-TV18 poll’s expectation of $16 to $18 per barrel. GRM, a key metric for refining companies, represents the profit generated after converting raw crude oil into finished petroleum products, calculated as the difference between the total product value and the cost of raw materials. The dividend approval for 2026 marks a significant milestone for HPCL shareholders.#hpcl #hindustan_petroleum_corporation_ltd #dividend #cnbc_tv18 #financial_year_2026
NSE Plans to File IPO Draft by June and Complete Offering by Year-End The National Stock Exchange (NSE) is set to file its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) for its ₹23,000 crore initial public offering (IPO) by the end of June, according to sources cited by CNBC-TV18. The exchange aims to finalize the entire IPO process by the end of the current fiscal year. The DRHP, a key document outlining the terms of the offering, will be submitted to regulatory authorities by late June, as per the report. The NSE’s plan includes a secondary offering (OFS) to reduce its stake in the company. The exchange intends to dilute its ownership by approximately 4-5%, which is part of its broader strategy to divest non-core assets and improve liquidity. The IPO is expected to attract significant investor interest, given the scale of the offering and the potential for long-term returns. The timeline for the IPO reflects the NSE’s commitment to adhering to regulatory deadlines while ensuring transparency in the process. The DRHP filing is a critical step, as it provides detailed information about the offering, including pricing, allocation criteria, and risk factors. Once filed, the prospectus will be open for public comments, allowing stakeholders to raise concerns or questions before the IPO is launched. The NSE’s decision to complete the IPO by year-end aligns with its strategic goals of expanding its market presence and enhancing shareholder value. The offering is also seen as a way to strengthen the capital markets by injecting fresh liquidity. Analysts suggest that the IPO could set a benchmark for large-scale offerings in the Indian equity market, given the size and complexity of the deal.#nse #initial_public_offering #cnbc_tv18 #drhp #regulatory_authorities
