GECs
‘Chacha Chaudhary’ completes half century on Sahara TV
MUMBAI: Chacha Chaudhary, the first ever TV serial based on an Indian cartoon character that airs on Sahara TV will complete its 50th episode on 22 October 2002.
The serial is a fun, adventure series wherein the chief protagonist, the simple, earthy, middle-class proverbial Chacha, (played by Raghuveer Yadhav), solves the problems and foils the most evil of plans of the villains, armed with native ingenuity and common sense. He is helped in his endeavour by his associate – the mammoth Sabu (played by Pravin Kumar – Bhim of Mahabharat).
During the last 50 episodes Chacha has solved many topical cases and problems ranging from drug racket, Parliament attack, hafta vasuli and fake currency, says a release. A couple of special episodes have been added for Diwali, Children’s Day and New Year, it adds.
“Chacha Chaudhary to me epitomizes the Indian ingenuity. It is unleashing India’s mind power on a global stage,” says Maya Entertainment promoter Ketan Mehta , who transformed the character into a live action television series for the channel. He believes that since three generations of readers have grown up on Chacha Chaudhary comics, it has an instant identification and curiosity value.
“Backed by Raghuveer Yadav’s sterling performance and aided by the latest computer graphics and innovative special effects, Chacha Chaudhary has gained good following amongst our viewers. As per TAM Media, it has recorded a 267 per cent increase in average viewership in September over July , among children of 4 to 14 years in Hindi speaking markets,” Sahara TV vice-president (publicity and PR), Priya Raj, was quoted as saying in the release.
The character Chacha Chaudhary was created by the famous cartoonist Pran in 1960 at a time when foreign comics ruled the roost in the entire subcontinent. He created a cartoon character in a very Indian milieu dealing with typical Indian problems. This soon became one of the most popular comic characters with comic books published by Diamond Comics in many Indian languages.
The show airs Mondays to Wednesdays at 7:00 pm.
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.
