GECs
‘Fame Gurukul’ garners 15 mn votes; 1 week contributing 3 mn
MUMBAI: Sony’s latest reality offering Fame Gurukul, pitched as a ‘daily reality drama’ has registered 15 millions votes since its launch on 27 June. What is interesting, is the fact that the biggest spike in votes came in this week ( 5 – 10 August) with three million votes .
Explains Sony EVP and business head Tarun Katial, “The increasing number of votes is due to the popularity of the contestants and their improving performance Also, since the show is half way through, the frenzy for the show is building up as it reaches its climax. True to its proposition it is making the contestants and the viewers do anything for ‘Fame’.”
The spike is specifically attributed to one of the seven contestants – Qazi Touqueer from Srinagar who has been in ‘danger zone’ five times in the past. Although, not such a great singer, Touqueer has emerged as one of the favourites as he is a natural entertainer. The three million votes essentially came in to save Touqueer from exiting the show.
Katial also stated that the kind of fanfare Fame Grukul was experiencing in terms of favouritism was not even experienced by Indian Idol.
Climaxing in October, Fame Gurukul still has to reach its peak. What will help boost votes further will probably be the tie up with the likes of Aaj Tak, Sify and Fame Adlabs for the show. Aaj Tak, which has a daily show around cinema from 7:30 to 8 pm, dedicates two-three minutes to Fame Gurukul, wherein the recap of the episodes are shown building on the tension. On the other hand, Sify which host and manages official website for Fame Gurukul – http://famegurukul.sify.com ensures regular updates from the show. Multiplex major Fame Adlabs is promoting the show on their premises and also airing promos of the show during movies.
MUMBAI: Lights, camera… connection because this time, the game isn’t just about winning, it’s about who’s with you. Sony Pictures Networks India is gearing up to launch a new reality game show, Tum Ho Naa, expanding its unscripted slate with a format that promises both emotion and engagement.
The show will premiere soon on Sony Entertainment Television and stream on Sony LIV, with Rajeev Khandelwal stepping in as host. Known for his measured screen presence and selective choices, Khandelwal’s return to television adds a layer of familiarity and credibility to the upcoming format.
While specific details of the gameplay remain under wraps, the positioning suggests a reality format that leans as much on emotional resonance as it does on competition, an increasingly popular blend in Indian television, where audiences are gravitating towards content that offers both stakes and storytelling.
Khandelwal, reflecting on his return, noted that his choices have often been guided by instinct rather than convention, describing Tum Ho Naa as a project that feels “close to the heart”. His association also signals Sony’s continued focus on anchoring new formats with recognisable faces who bring both relatability and depth.
The launch comes at a time when broadcasters are doubling down on original non-fiction formats to drive appointment viewing, even as digital platforms expand parallel reach. By placing the show across both linear television and OTT, Sony appears to be aiming for a dual-audience strategy capturing traditional viewers while engaging digital-first consumers.
As the countdown to premiere begins, Tum Ho Naa positions itself not just as another game show, but as a reminder that sometimes, the biggest prize on screen isn’t the jackpot, it’s the journey shared along the way.
