GECs
DD classic series launching with Premchand’s ‘Godan’
NEW DELHI: National broadcaster Doordarshan today announced it would be launching its classic series with the airing of Premchand’s acclaimed Godan (the Gift of a Cow), directed by ace film personality Gulzaar.
Speaking on the occasion, Prasar Bharati CEO KS Sarma said it would be DD’s endeavour to build up a rich reservoir of programmes based on the rich literature and culture of India. “Over a period of five years, I am sure we’d have a rich line-up of programming and stalwarts (like Gulzaar) would have helped us in retaining viewership as well.”
Sarma added that the series on Indian classics, for which a government think-tank on economic policies, Planning Commission, has sanctioned Rs 500 million to be spent over five years, would herald the “revival of DD as a public service broadcaster.”
On the Premchand series DD has spent about Rs 15 million and hopes to earn back the investment through advertising spots. Some advertisers that have already committed for this series include HLL, Reckitt-Benckieser India (makers of Dettol) and Onida.
Though Gulzaar was at his best while fielding questions on Premchand’s works and the cinematic experience during the making of the series, he did point out that by today’s standards Premchand’s work may look to be slow moving, but are still relevant.
“To many of you the series may look slow, but believe me Premchand is still very relevant in today’s India as we continue to hear of farmers’ deaths in some states because of poverty,” he explained.
Godaan, to be aired on DD National in two parts on 8 and 9 August on prime time, is a story portraying social inequality.
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.
