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Sony to bust crime on Fridays with reality show
MUMBAI: It’s changing all right. After jump starting the changing spree with musical game show Kuch Kehti Hai Yeh Dhun and later introducing a weekly thriller Sambhav Asambhav, next on the Sony agenda is a reality show Crime Patrol. Launching on 9 May at 10:30 pm, the show that marks the television debut of model Diwakar Pundir, is gearing up to strengthen the channel’s Friday line up.
The reality show on the One Alliance bouquet’s flagship Hindi entertainment channel will feature crime as it happens, incidents such as speeding or drunken driving and how the police deals with such offenses. According to Sony Entertainment Television executive vice president Sunil Lulla: “Crime Patrol aims at becoming a distinct and preferred viewing alternative for our viewers, drawing in the male audience.”
Speaking to indiantelevison.com, Cinevistaas’ creative director of the show Neeraj Naik said: “The half an hour show is as real as any reality show gets. It is not just about thrilling the audience with wild chases and life and death encounters, every episode conveys a message.” During each episode, the channel claims to investigate a minimum of two to three cases ranging from petty crimes to serious felonies.
Clearing up few facts, Naik said that though the comparison of the show with the much popular Police Videos currently airing on Star World is unavoidable, the outlook of both the shows is different. While Police Videos is a police department compilation, the production house has a wide network across the country on the job that is either stationed or constantly in touch with the police stations and follows the police to watch the crime unfold before their eyes.
Amongst the many content providers, one pivotal is Nalini Singh’s TV Live India that will be capturing the footage and supplying it. According to Sony Entertainment Television (SET) creative director Rajesh Devraj: “From interrogations to crime scene investigations, Crime Patrol shows it all. You may get to join a police raid or have a truly chilling encounter with a murderer. At another level, there may be an amusing piece on bickering neighbours or a breathalyser test. Either ways, it’s a world you’ve never seen on television before.”
Every story will showcase the unraveling of a crime or incident or the apprehending of the defaulter by the police. While the research for the show and the required permissions from the authorities might have taken eight long months of homework, the actual crime doesn’t come with a warning. The entire team including directors S Subramanium and Rohit Khanna is always on hold, ready to film with their DV cameras.
Containing all the masala, surprisingly the glamour angle is not provided by former Grasim Mr India Diwakar Pundir- who calls his transition to screen as a natural progression. This former pilot will be a sort of a sutradhar, who will take the viewer along to experience and witness the police in action.
Speaking of his role, he says that despite the protocol, even he is forever on the call as he is not supposed to just host it but provide an on the spot analysis. “With the nature of the crime being so volatile and the job profile being not your usual anchor presenter kind you don’t have a script ready.”
With a good track record of the channel with crime related shows like Bhanwar, it is just a few hours wait for Crime Patrol to unveil and prove its mettle.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
