GECs
Lily Patel replaces late Dina Pathak in ‘Khichdi’
MUMBAI: Lily Patel the veteran Gujarati stage actress, popular as Dadima of Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii has replaced Dina Pathak as Badima in Khichdi.
Dina Pathak, who passed away recently was playing the role of Badima, the great grandmother in the sitcom. Lily Patel will take over the role from episode 12 which will be telecast on 26 November.
“It was difficult to find a replacement for Dinaji. Since the comedy revolves around a Gujarati joint family, we needed a Gujarati actress in place of Dinaji. And we decided on Lily Patel who is an accomplished Gujarati theatre actress who has the ability to balance emotions and humour perfectly,” co-producer of Khichdi, Jamnadas Majethia says.
Khichdi is neither a complete sitcom nor a total soap but a blend of both in right proportion. As the title suggests, the serial is a concoction of characters and their emotions, idiosyncrasies, likes and dislikes, relationships and dreams, all done to imperfect perfection in a melting pot, which happens to be their home, states the release .
“It is being appreciated a lot because it is different in terms of characterization, situations and humour and moreover, it is believable,” says Jamnadas. Written and directed by Aatish Kapadia, a well known writer-director of several hit Gujarati plays, serials and films.
A UTV and Hats Off Production, the sitcom stars Lily Patel, Anang Desai, Supriya Pathak, Raju Mehta, Vandana Pathak and Amit Verma among others. It is telecast on Star Plus every Tuesday at 8 pm.
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.
