GECs
HooHaa! Amitabh Bachchan all set for ‘AKRHZ’ launch on Star Plus
MUMBAI: Hoooo Haaaa! The excitement is almost palpable amongst one and all as the ever energetic grand old man of the Indian film industry – Amitabh Bachchan’s baritone voice and affable presence is set to yet again fill up television screens across the country this weekend.
This time round, Bachchan will be seen hosting Star Plus’ new show Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi, which will launch at 8 pm on 18 October.
The show, which aims to celebrate people across India making a difference in their communities, will see three personalities from the film industry as the first guests. Actors Alia Bhatt, Shilpa Shetty Kundra as well as singer Arijit Singh will be Bachchan’s first guests on the show. Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi is being directed by Ken Ghosh. Actor and host Hussain Kuwajerwala will be the show’s co-host alongside Bachchan.
After his stint on television started with Kaun Banega Croreapati (KBC) on Star Plus back in 2000, Bachchan has been hosting the same show on Sony Entertainment Television thereafter. Apart from the non-fiction show, his tryst with the television medium also saw him acting in the fiction series titled Yudh last year on Sony. While the audience has lapped up his avatar as anchor and host season after season ofKBC, his fiction fare didn’t find much favour from them.
Now as Bachchan is back in his real avatar as the friendly and charming host on television yet again, albeit on a different kind of non-fiction format show, it remains to be seen how Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi is received by the audience. That said, seeing the spring in his step and the zeal in his voice, Bachchan’s enthusiasm is almost contagious
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.
