News Broadcasting
Hungama TV kicks off auditions for ‘John Aur Kaun?’
MUMBAI: Hungama TV is all set to make a splash this monsoon with the auditions of John aur Kaun (JAK) – its talent hunt for kids that will kick-start in Mumbai on 29 July.
In the first round of Oral-B JAK auditions, 50 kids will be short-listed from the applicants on 29t July in Mumbai.
In the second round on 30 July, final eight will be selected from Mumbai. There will also be ‘on-the-spot’ auditions for those who missed out on sending their entry from 9 am to 12 noon, on a first come first serve basis on 29 July.
The Oral-B JAK auditions will travel across five cities to Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad over 58 days, with the similar selection process and will culminate in August. The most talented eight contenders per city will be flown to Mumbai for the final rounds.
The auditions will be aired on Hungama TV where kids will be seen displaying their singing, acting and dancing talents.
The selected talent pool will be further groomed by industry professionals at every step of the contest. By a process of elimination, the final four candidates will be put up for a nationwide voting process via SMS / televoting, following which the final two winners will be announced at an event in Mumbai.
Finally, one boy and one girl will be chosen to act in a UTV-produced movie with Hungama TV’s brand ambassador John Abraham and will also be presented with a cash prize of Rs 500,000 each, along with a three year contract with UTV to manage their acting careers.
Hungama TV COO Zarina Mehta says, ”We are delighted to be moving into the auditions phase of Oral B John aur Kaun. We look forward to encountering some hugely talented kids, two of whom will get the chance of a lifetime to act with John in a UTV film. Excitement levels amongst kids around the country are at fever pitch, so let the show begin!”
Oral-B JAK has received an overwhelming response and UTV has announced a refund of Rs 400 to those who have applied and paid an entry fee of Rs 500.
For spot auditions, kids needs to go to the audition center with their parent/guardian and pay Rs 100 as an entry fee. UTV will get their entry forms filled and photographs taken and take the audition.
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
