GECs
Big Magic launches weekend series as extension of ‘Akbar Birbal’
MUMBAI: Big Magic is set to extend its historical comedy series – Har Mushkil Ka Hal Akbar Birbal.
The new series titled Chatur aur Chalaak, Birbal aur Viraat has been conceived to deliver wit and comedy with intriguing story-telling and new characters. The show launches on 31 January at 9 pm.
The hour long offering will see the introduction of Viraat enacted by TV actor, Rohit Khurana who joins the artist line up on the show like Kiku Sharda, Vishal Kotian, Delnaaz Irani, Kishwer Merchant and Thakur Anoop Singh.
This programme offering is in keeping with the channel’s efforts to deliver original content for its viewers.
The new series will showcase some interesting mysteries being solved by Birbal and his aide Viraat.
Big Magic creative director Uditanshu Mehta said, “Chatur aur Chalaak, Birbal aur Viraat is a natural extension of Akbar Birbal, which is popular amongst age groups. We are launching this as weekend series due to more available time for our viewers. Big Magic has grown as a favourite comedy destination on the foundation of original and differentiated programming. The consumer today is spoilt for choice, which makes it critical for us to deliver engaging and original content that is backed by insights.”
Sagar Pictures brings in the expertise on the production front. Moti Sagar said, “We are proud to be associated with the Akbar Birbal show on Big Magic. Mythology and historical fiction has always been our forte, but with this we added a layer of humour to our experience. Creatively we have looked at every small detail to re-create the grandeur of Mughal era on television. The results have been satisfying till now. We look forward to creating another successful extension and are confident that our viewers will love Birbal and Viraat.”
Creator of the show and head of script shop Big Ideas, Paritosh Painter added, “It is the first around a young boy who is accepted by Birbal as his protégée and is reformed. Our viewers wish to see more shades of the very witty Birbal and hence the introduction of a new character as an aide to Birbal in Viraat. It is the coming together of these two extremely bright minds, played out in the Moghul era, that is poised to deliver one hour Saturday night entertainment packed with comedy, suspense and intrigue for a wholesome family viewing.”
MUMBAI: Lights, camera… connection because this time, the game isn’t just about winning, it’s about who’s with you. Sony Pictures Networks India is gearing up to launch a new reality game show, Tum Ho Naa, expanding its unscripted slate with a format that promises both emotion and engagement.
The show will premiere soon on Sony Entertainment Television and stream on Sony LIV, with Rajeev Khandelwal stepping in as host. Known for his measured screen presence and selective choices, Khandelwal’s return to television adds a layer of familiarity and credibility to the upcoming format.
While specific details of the gameplay remain under wraps, the positioning suggests a reality format that leans as much on emotional resonance as it does on competition, an increasingly popular blend in Indian television, where audiences are gravitating towards content that offers both stakes and storytelling.
Khandelwal, reflecting on his return, noted that his choices have often been guided by instinct rather than convention, describing Tum Ho Naa as a project that feels “close to the heart”. His association also signals Sony’s continued focus on anchoring new formats with recognisable faces who bring both relatability and depth.
The launch comes at a time when broadcasters are doubling down on original non-fiction formats to drive appointment viewing, even as digital platforms expand parallel reach. By placing the show across both linear television and OTT, Sony appears to be aiming for a dual-audience strategy capturing traditional viewers while engaging digital-first consumers.
As the countdown to premiere begins, Tum Ho Naa positions itself not just as another game show, but as a reminder that sometimes, the biggest prize on screen isn’t the jackpot, it’s the journey shared along the way.
