GECs
‘Piya ka ghar’ gets Dr Simran to build viewer base
MUMBAI: Seems like ‘walk-ins’ (guest appearance) are infectious, after Star Plus and Sony its Zee’s turn to do so. But this time on, the intentions are more pronounced and the ‘walk-in’ is likely to be extended to ‘stay in’.
In a bid to butteress the viewership of an afternoon soap, Piya ka ghar- telecast Monday through Thursday at 2 pm, Zee has decided to bring in a character from its sucessful prime time shows Astitva-‘s Dr Simran.
Played by Niki Aneja-Walia, the character of Dr Simran is quite popular with both the class and the mass viewers. Touted as an intelligent show, Astitva has created quite a stir and is popular with the critics as well.
The charater Dr Simran will be joining the Piya Ka Ghar cast- on 19 January 2003.
Speaking to indiantelevision.com a Zee spokesperson informed that Walia’s character Dr Simran will not be a one-off guest appearance but rather a recurring role.
Produced by Sheel Kumar, the weekly soap stars Narayani Shastri, Alok Nath, Sulbha Arya, Prachee Shah among others. PKG dwells on the oft trodden territory of two families from a village, who have a long friendship between them. The problems arise when the next generation grows up.
According to the spokesperson, Rimjhim (Narayani Shastri) is diagnosed with womb cancer, the disease is in the advanced stages and her chances of survival are slim. On recommendation of her friend, Dr Anurag, Rimjhim approaches Dr Simran, the world famous gynecologist. They go to to Dr Simran for a consultation.
GECs
&TV brings Women’s Day shine to Lucknow mall
Shilpa Shinde joins “Selfie Lo. Shine Karo. Star Ban Jaao!” activation on 8 March.
MUMBAI: This Women’s Day, &TV is handing women the mirror and the spotlight because sometimes the best reflection is the one that finally says “star”. &TV is taking its celebration of strong, confident women off-screen with a lively on-ground initiative at a prominent mall in Lucknow on 7–8 March 2026. The activation, titled “Selfie Lo. Shine Karo. Star Ban Jaao!”, invites women to click empowering selfies at a specially designed mirror installation framed with a symbolic crown and bold messages such as Women & Confident, Women & Boss, Women & Independent, and Women & Carefree. The crown carries the core emotion, “She is her own hero. Her own cheerleader. Her own power.”
Adding star power to the event, beloved actress Shilpa Shinde (popularly known as Angoori Bhabi from Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain! 2.0) will attend on 8 March, interacting with participants. Select women will get the chance to meet her, and one lucky winner will be featured in an upcoming episode on &TV turning a simple selfie into a real on-screen star moment.
The initiative is rooted in the belief that women often celebrate others but rarely pause to acknowledge themselves. By creating a joyful space for self-recognition and confidence, &TV is extending its on-air narratives of empowered women into real life.
Shilpa Shinde said, “I truly believe confidence begins with how we see ourselves. I am very happy that &TV is creating a platform where women are not just celebrated but also given a chance to be seen and recognised.”
&TV chief channel officer and Zee5, business head for hindi Kaveri Das added, “At &TV, we don’t just tell stories of strong women, we actively create platforms for them. This Women’s Day initiative is our way of moving beyond celebration and enabling real visibility.”
In a world quick to spotlight others, &TV is flipping the script reminding every woman that the most powerful story she can star in is her own, one confident selfie at a time.
