GECs
‘LOTR’ tops BBC’s film of the year poll
MUMBAI: After being ignored for two years in a row The Lord Of The Rings could finally win some serious gold at the Academy Awards. A recent BBC poll conducted for its show Film 2003 has revealed that the final installment in the trilogy The Return of the King has been chosen by the viewers and by important people in the film industry as their number one choice.
The show hosted by Jonathan Ross airs on BBC One in the UK. The other films in the top ten included Quentin Tarantino’s violent blood splattered Kill Bill, Disney’s summer blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean, Finding Nemo, Brazil’s City of God and the Russell Crowe seafaring adventure Master and Commander. Britain’s multi starrer romantic comedy Love Actually with the who’s who of British cinema also features on the list as expected.
Celebrities shared their views on which films influenced them the most this year. LOTR star Sir Ian McKellen revealed that Calendar Girls moved him to tears. Ben Affleck, whose romance with Jennifer Lopez has made headlines throughout the year chose Love Actually.
Any film seen in cinemas in Britain this year was eligible. The vote closed on 16 December.
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.
