News Broadcasting
Sony’s weekend thriller kicks off this Friday
MUMBAI: Balaji is set to bolster Sony’s weekend programming with a ‘socio thriller’ mini series that kicks off this Friday.
Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeeqat hopes to cash in on the fact that there is very little weekend programming across channels, says Balaji creative director Ekta Kapoor. The 39-episode story is a break from the staple Balaji diet of heavily dressed women and wimpy males. Packaged as a cross between Teesri Manzil, Gupt and Humraaz, the show will be unconventionally treated with no long scenes and no glossy lighting, the hallmark of Ekta’s serials currently on air. The Balaji creative head has obviously done her homework well. It will have elements of the American flick Scream, in which the thriller element is scary in itself’ without any gory scenes, of another US show Wild Things, which has a punch at the end of every episode, making it a complete show in itself.
The story of KHKH revolves around a girl, an ex boyfriend obsessed with her and the bizarre experiences she goes through after her marriage to a cop, blending reality and fiction in an unpredictable manner. Says Ekta: “Its an experiment. If after 39 episodes, the idea clicks, we will introduce another story with a similar thriller element. The idea is not to stretch just one story for too long.”
Kya Hadsa Kya Haqeeqat, Sony Entertainment’s new “socio-thriller” weekend series.
The three episodes every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night at 8 pm will also be a complete capsule by themselves, says Ekta. She is targeting the youngster at home on weekends, but is also eyeing the additional audiences of men who are looking for some alternative weekend enjoyment. The one hour show will be supported by some more shows that the channel plans to introduce in the coming months, says SET executive V-P Sunil Lulla.
Balaji’s other show, Kutumb, which currently shares top honours for Sony in the ratings game, has also relaunched this week with a different story, although the central actors remain the same. Lulla agrees with Kapoor in maintaining that the sudden change in the storyline was more a viewers’ demand and that it would not cause a ripple in the ratings.
A scene from KHKH.
Sony’s other new show, Kahin Naa Kahin Koi Hay which has not shaken up the TRPs as yet, may also see some improvisations. There will be value additions, says Lulla, in terms of phone ins for viewers in which they can guess the groom the girl plans to pick as her husband, in the coming months. The show managed a 250 per cent increase in viewership in the 8:30 pm band for the channel in the first week, says Lulla.
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. AICC’s Praveen Chakravarty weighs ‘Power Sharing vs Principles’, while former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan joins the fray. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
