Reality
Indian Idol goes global with first-ever international edition at Yas Island
Sony Pictures Networks India takes the hit singing show abroad, featuring Madhubanti Bagchi and star-studded performances
MUMBAI: Indian Idol is stepping onto the global stage. Sony Pictures Networks India announced its maiden international edition, set to film at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, marking a historic first for the iconic singing competition.
Renowned playback singer and composer Madhubanti Bagchi will join the extravaganza as a special guest, lending her voice and star power. Bagchi, known for hits like Aaj Ki Raat from Stree 2, Peelings from Pushpa 2: The Rule, Shararat from Dhurandhar, and Bengali favourites such as Sesher Isharay and Bhalo Lege Jaay, promises to elevate the ‘Yaadon Ki Playlist’ experience.
Indian Idol has long been a launchpad for remarkable talent. This Yas Island special amplifies the show’s scale and spectacle, bringing contestants to one of the world’s top entertainment destinations, home to award-winning theme parks, world-class attractions, and international live events.
Vishal Dadlani said, “Moments like these are defining for young emerging artists as they inspire confidence, sharpen ambition, and truly spotlight the scale at which Indian Idol operates. Given how widely Indian music today is being consumed, shared, and celebrated across the world, this special episode at Yas Island further exposes contestants to a larger stage, preparing them for the global music industry.”
Badshah added, “This special episode brings a whole new level of excitement for everyone. Indian music and talent are celebrated and followed across the globe and shooting the episodes in Yas Island will further boost the contestants’ confidence to new heights. Performing on a global stage will surely push them to raise their game.”
Aditya Narayan said, “Indian Idol has continued to set new benchmarks in identifying and nurturing talent. The show has always celebrated dreams, and this international episode reflects how the show continues to grow in scale and ambition.”
Catch Indian Idol’s Yas Island special exclusively on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV on 21st and 22nd February, 2026, at 8:00 pm — where ambition meets spectacle on a truly global stage.
Reality
Jio bets big on gaming with global reality show push
Good Game India promises Rs 1 crore prize and a hunt for the country’s first gaming superstar
MUMBAI: India’s gaming gold rush just got flashier. Reliance Jio has teamed up with Good Game Group to launch Good Game India, billed as the world’s first as-live global gaming reality show, set to go live in July 2026.
The ambition is sweeping. The show aims to tap into over 500 million young viewers, streaming across platforms including JioHotstar, JioTV and JioGames’ own ecosystem.
Backing the spectacle is a high-profile jury. Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu, cricketer Rishabh Pant and gaming creator Ujjwal Chaurasia will front the show as brand ambassadors and judges, lending mainstream heft to an industry hungry for crossover appeal.
At stake is Rs 1 crore, one of the richest purses in India’s reality-show circuit, alongside a shot at global representation. But this is no ordinary gaming contest. Contestants will be judged not just on skill, but on creativity, content chops and their ability to build communities, a nod to the creator economy reshaping digital entertainment.
The format blends esports-style challenges with in-real-life tasks, layered with fan voting, live interactions and always-on social storytelling. The pitch is clear: gaming is no longer just play, it is performance, influence and commerce rolled into one.
With early traction already building online, Jio’s gamble signals a larger shift. As screens multiply and attention fragments, the battle is no longer for viewers alone, but for creators who can command them. In that race, gaming may well be India’s next big stage.
