News Broadcasting
‘Lakme Fashion House’ to launch on Star One
NEW DELHI: The latest to join the reality TV bandwagon is Star One. Early next year, it will unveil a show, christened Lakme Fashion House, which is, of course, tailored to suit the brand image being propagated by the channel that of catering to the upmarket youth in the age group of 15-34.
What adds zing to the show is that the winner, who has to be a budding fashion designer, gets to do a six-month stint with the Italian fashion powerhouse Versace; all expenses paid by the organisers of the show.
This one-hour show would have 12-15 aspiring designers giving flight to their fancies and creativity. The final products will be modeled by a group of celebrities to add some pizzazz to the whole proceedings. The whole process is likely to take slightly over two months.
The winning creation would be branded by Versace as part of a marketing initiative.
The show is being brought to India by Star after it had a hugely successful run two years back on Sky Italia, another News Corporation-controlled TV channel in Europe. Even the Versace angle is part of an international agreement that News Corporation and the game show format owners, FCB, have with the fashion house.
Considering Versace and his creations are well known in India now, courtesy proliferation of Fashion TV, the reality show is likely to create a buzz not only among participants, but also viewers, mostly comprising the P3-types.
Star India COO Sameer Nair denied that this reality programme has anything to do with taking on Times group-controlled Zoom, which thrives on glamour-based shows, and said, Since Star is the pioneer of reality shows in India (starting with the hunt for Viva through Popstars), Lakme Fashion House is another initiative to bring innovative shows. This one was very popular on Sky Italia and we think would be here in India too.
On Sky Italia, the shows presenting sponsor was Nokia.
The entries for this reality show would start flooding the market soon and the show itself will culminate to coincide with the annual Lakme Fashion Week held in April-May.
News Broadcasting
TV9 to host What India Thinks Today Summit 2026 in Delhi
PM Narendra Modi to keynote two day forum on India and the world
NEW DELHI: TV9 Network is gearing up to host the fourth edition of its flagship What India Thinks Today Summit 2026 on March 23 and 24 in the national capital, bringing together a wide spectrum of voices to debate India’s place in a shifting global order.
The summit will open with a keynote address by Narendra Modi, setting the tone for this year’s theme, “India and the world”, as the country positions itself at the crossroads of economic growth, geopolitical shifts and technological change.
From cabinet ministers to chief ministers, business leaders to cultural figures, the event promises a crowded stage and a lively exchange of ideas. Union ministers such as Piyush Goyal and Jyotiraditya Scindia are expected to attend, alongside state leaders including Mohan Yadav, Pushkar Singh Dhami, Bhajan Lal Sharma, Nayab Singh Saini and Bhagwant Mann.
Political voices from across the aisle, including Smriti Irani, Akhilesh Yadav and Asaduddin Owaisi, will also join the conversation, ensuring that the debates are as diverse as they are dynamic.
Adding a cultural and sporting touch, personalities such as yoga guru Swami Ramdev, poet Kumar Vishwas and cricketing names like Sourav Ganguly, Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh are set to share the stage. Global business leaders and diplomats will further widen the lens, reflecting the summit’s international outlook.
Speaking ahead of the event, TV9 Network managing director and chief executive officer Barun Das, said India stands at a unique moment in history, combining demographic strength, technological capability and entrepreneurial energy. He noted that in uncertain times, honest conversations and bold ideas will shape the country’s trajectory.
The summit will explore themes ranging from economic growth and governance to innovation, sustainability and culture, positioning itself as a platform for dialogue at a time when the world is in flux.
With a packed agenda and a high-profile guest list, What India Thinks Today Summit 2026 aims to do more than just talk. It seeks to capture a moment where India is not only part of the global conversation, but increasingly helping lead it.
