GECs
‘Achanak’ back on SET – with new look, new format
MUMBAI: Sony Entertainment Television (SET) is making a return to the tried and tested as far as the supernatural thriller format is concerned.
Taking a leaf out of the success that the earlier Aahat had achieved as a weekly, SET has launched a new season of Achanak -37 Saal Baad in a weekly one-hour episode format. The serial airs every Monday from 10 pm to 11 pm.
The last season of Achanak…, which was a half-hourly daily show, concluded with the end of the evil Ajinkya in a battle with hero, Ajay. An official release informs that the battle between good and evil rages on in the new series when Ajay comes back to life and Ajinkya’s malicious spirit returns in search of a human form, causing terror and mayhem.
indiantelevision.com spoke to Shreedhar Raghavan, the writer of the series, who said, “We have changed the entire format of the show and made it more flexible. The new season contains several mini-stories. Every story in this series will stretch only up to three to four episodes. After that we’ll have another story with the same central characters but a different plot.”
Raghavan said that while the central characters – Ajay and Ajinkya – remain the same, they have added a lot on new characters to the show.
“We have worked out 12 such short stories presently,” he said, “If they do well, we will work on another 40-45 plots.” The screenplay is handled by Rajat Arora.
SET’s executive vice president Sunil Lulla said, “We have successfully entertained TV viewers with our range of thrillers like CID, Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat, and Aahat. Achanak, in its all new format, retains the essence of good versus evil in a contemporary gripping series.”
With the introduction of Achanak at the 10 pm -11 pm slot on Mondays, it seems like SET is reserving the band for supernatural psycho thrillers. From Tuesday to Thursday, the channel shows one-hour reruns of Kya Hadsaa… in the same band.
When queried on this, Raghavan said, “Thrillers are pacy and can keep the audience hooked. That’s why, SET has cashed in on so many thrillers.”
GECs
Pocket FM partners with Indian Open Pickleball 2026
Audio platform joins forces with major tournament to engage young fans.
MUMBAI: Pocket FM just served up a perfect partnership because when audio storytelling meets pickleball’s fast-paced rallies, even the sidelines start listening. Pocket FM, the world’s largest audio series platform, has announced a strategic partnership with Indian Open 2026, one of India’s biggest pickleball tournaments organised by Global Sports in Hyderabad in association with Pickl’Out and Crosscourts Sports Club.
The collaboration brings Pocket FM’s immersive storytelling to one of the fastest-growing emerging sports in India. Pickleball, known for its accessibility, energy and strong community appeal, is rapidly attracting younger, digitally savvy audiences making it an ideal platform for Pocket FM to deepen its cultural relevance.
Under the partnership, Pocket FM will enjoy extensive on-ground and digital visibility throughout the tournament, which begins on 1 April 2026. This includes centre court branding, venue-wide presence, presenting rights for select matches, player lounge branding, team jersey integration, and strong integration across live streaming and social media.
Pocket FM, SVP and global head for brand marketing and partnerships Vineet Singh said, “Pickleball is building a strong connection with young and engaged audiences in India. This partnership allows us to connect with people in a meaningful way through strong on-ground presence and digital visibility.”
Global Sports and Indian Open 2026, founder Hemal Jain added, “Partnering with Pocket FM adds an exciting new dimension to the experience. As a brand that has built deep resonance with young audiences, Pocket FM is a strong fit for the energy and ambition of this tournament.”
The move reflects Pocket FM’s continued strategy of aligning with emerging passion points and building deeper engagement with communities driven by competition and shared experiences.
In a country where sports and stories often collide, Pocket FM isn’t just sponsoring a tournament, it’s turning every rally into a narrative, proving that the best audio moments sometimes happen when the paddle meets the ball.
