GECs
Life OK rebranded as Star Bharat may start from 15 Aug
MUMBAI: Star India is planning to relaunch its existing general entertainment channel — Life OK, renamed as Star Bharat. The channel plans to have modern outlook but Indian feel.
According to reports, it will be relaunched with the new look on 15 August.
Since 2011, the channel will be branded for the second time. At the earlier launch, Star One was rebranded as Life OK. In 2016, the network changed the programming line-up of the channel. But, it seems the revamp of the programming strategy did not work.
According to sources, shows such as “May I come in Madam,” “Sher-E-Punjab Ranjeet Singh” and “Chandrakanta” will go off air, and shows including Savdhaan India and Ghulam will continue. Shows like Kya Haal Paanchaal, Ayushamaan Bhava and Shatranj will be launched on Star Bharat shortly.
‘Shatranj’ is basically an Indian adaptation of the English show ‘House of Cards’ that features Sonal Vengurkar, Akshay Anand and Bhanu Uday. Another show called ‘Kya Haal Paanchal’, produced by Optimystic, is based on polygamy, starring Maninder Singh in the lead and five girls.
At the time of filing this report, an official confirmation did not come through. It is hoped that the second rebranding works for Star.
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.
