GECs
ETV Marathi unveils election specials
MUMBAI: Marathi language channel ETV Marathi has announced its programme packaging targeted at the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections.
Randhumali – Chanda teh Bandha, anchored by famous actor Prakash Inamdar will see Inamdar donning various get-ups and visiting different towns to get the view of the public on the upcoming state elections. He will be staging shows in a total of 35 different towns, including ones in the interior where the channel has a strong foothold.
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Ranshinga- Pragati pustak mantryanachi will have the local people rating the state ministers. Anchored by veteran journalist Kumar Ketkar, the chat show will have him rendezvousing with the ministers’, both former and present. While the invitees answer his incisive question, the audience will have a clearer picture of the politician, his ambitions, aspirations and potential.
During this interactive programme, audiences can SMS in their responses and their comments. The channel will then rate the minister’s progress and rank him. The result will be aired during the consecutive programmes
Ransangram – Dhobipachad presents face off between two political rivals debating on various issues. The show is anchored by popular actor Rahul Solapurkar, who is known for his towering personality and impressive politico-social knowledge.
Another new show Ranvir is divided into two sections:
1. Mahaneta
2. Yuva Neta contest
Mahaneta- The channel will urge the audience to urge suggest their favourite politician via postal letters, e-mails, SMS, fax or Integrated Voice Response (IVR) to ETV. The channel will then compile all the names and select the top ten choices.
The channel will install video polling booths in select 100 towns in Maharastra and will then urge the audiences to come to the booth and video record their sound bytes on “who is their favourite politician and why?” The selection however has to be from the top ten list that the channel will put out. The politician that bags most votes is awarded with a “Mahaneta” award.
Whilst with the Yuva Neta Spardha (contest), the channel aims to build its youth viewership base. The channel will organise a contest for the 15-25 years old, wherein the interested participants have to write a 250-word essay on topic “What would I do if I were the Chief Minister”. In addition to the essay the participants will have to send their photographs and age written clearly on their details. ETV will shortlist 100 entries out of these and select them for the next level.
The final round will be held in Mumbai where the contestants will have to come and narrate their essays. The jury will include two of Maharastra’s top-notch politicians and former chief ministers, who will select one entry and crown him/her the Yuva Neta .
Before the results of the state election, both the Mahaneta and the Yuva Neta will be awarded on a programme called Tickle teh political.
Talking to Indiantelevision.com, ETV Marathi programming head Sanjay Dabke claimed that the channel had been giving tough competition to Hindi channels the evening programming band in the Maharashtra market. ETV chief producer Manvi said, after making it big in West Bengal with ETV Bangla, the focus would be shifted to Marathi soon.
GECs
Sony ties up with EU for MasterChef India finale
GI-tagged European ingredients headline finale week
MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India has struck what it calls a landmark association with the European Union for the finale week of MasterChef India, marking the first such collaboration between the bloc and an Indian television format.
The tie-up will culminate in the “European Union mystery box challenge”, which opens the much-anticipated finale week. The task will see the top six contestant pairs cook with a curated basket of ingredients bearing geographical indications (GIs) from across EU member states: a nod to provenance as well as palate.
Chef Ajay and Chef Guntas, introduced as chef ambassadors to the European Union, will present the mystery boxes and set the brief: use the fewest ingredients from each category and produce a MasterChef-level dish that marries European produce with Indian flavour sensibilities. Precision and restraint, rather than extravagance, will be tested.
For Sony, the move signals a push towards high-value integrations that blur the line between sponsorship and storytelling. The network said the association underscores the show’s growing global stature and its ability to attract world-renowned institutions to Indian screens.
Chef Ajay Chopra, food ambassador in the European Union, described the collaboration as a strategic opportunity to spotlight the heritage and authenticity of GI-tagged European products to India’s vast food-loving audience.
Over the years, MasterChef India has positioned itself as a gateway to global cuisines. The EU partnership sharpens that pitch, turning the finale into a stage for cross-continental culinary diplomacy.
The finale week will air from 2 March, 2026 at 8 pm on Sony Entertainment Television and stream on Sony Liv.
