News Headline
Banijay Asia to produce The Fifty reality show in India
MUMBAI: Banijay Asia is turning up the heat on Indian reality television. The production powerhouse will roll out the international hit The Fifty in India, marking the format’s fifth global adaptation and its most ambitious Asian outing yet.
Commissioned for JioHotstar and Colors TV, The Fifty launches on February 1, 2026. Originally created by French unscripted label B Prod, the format blends celebrity competition, strategy and social gameplay—wrapped in spectacle.
Set inside a sprawling Mahal, the show pits 50 reality television stars against one another under the watchful eye of a mysterious Game Master concealed behind a lion mask. Alliances are forged, loyalties are tested and eliminations are decided not by judges, but by the players themselves. The contestants compete collectively to grow a shared jackpot, adding an unusual layer of cooperation to an otherwise cut-throat contest.
The final twist is where The Fifty truly breaks form. The life-changing cash prize does not go to the winner on screen. Instead, it is awarded to one of the contestants’ registered followers, selected via the show’s app—turning audience engagement into a decisive part of the game.
Deepak Dhar, founder and group chief executive at Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India, said the format’s scale and originality made it a natural fit for India. “With scale, gameplay and a celebrity cast, this show combines drama and entertainment at every turn. Hugely unique, universal and adaptable, The Fifty is a natural fit for the Indian market and will keep both the audience and the players invested from start to finish. It’s sure to deliver a reality experience our audiences have never seen.”
The Indian commission builds on the format’s growing international momentum. Since debuting in France in 2022 as Les Cinquante, the series has steadily expanded across territories, clocking strong ratings and platform-leading performances.
Lucas Green, chief content officer, operations, at Banijay Entertainment, said India was a logical next step in the show’s global journey. “Since launching in France in 2022, The Fifty has proven its global strength, landing in three territories and delivering consistently strong performances across markets and platforms. Its scale, intensity and ability to engage audiences makes India a natural next step in the format’s international evolution.”
In France, the series airs on M6 and continues to build momentum, with season four delivering its highest-ever launch across commercial and youth audiences. In Poland, a local adaptation premiered on Amazon Prime Video in 2025. In Germany, the format debuted at number one on Prime Video at launch. In the US, Telemundo commissioned a second season from EndemolShineBoomdog after the show emerged as the network’s most-watched programme among Hispanic audiences.
With its blend of celebrity power, strategic gameplay and direct audience participation, The Fifty arrives as India’s reality TV market grows more format-driven and globally aligned. For Banijay Asia, it is another statement of intent. For Indian viewers, the game—and the jackpot—just got a lot bigger.
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.
