GECs
MTV and Rayban collaborate for upcoming bands
MUMBAI: Upcoming bands that are looking at getting more audiences hooked to their songs got a boost with MTV India’s partnership with Rayban on a nationwide contest called MTV Rayban Never Hide Sounds. Five best bands across Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata got a chance to get mentorship from renowned musicians like Raghu Dixit, Benny Dayal, UdayBenegal, Harshdeep Kaur and Shilpa Rao.
Genres such as sufi, rock, folk and pop were included in the contest. The five bands – Parvaaz, Rang, Frisky, Pints, Life and Nasya got a chance to collaborate on their mentors’ best tracks. The end result was a gig in each city of the bands with their mentors on their original tracks as well.
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Shilpa Rao performing live at the gig
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Speaking about the initiative, MTV India EVP and business head Aditya Swamy said, “Every young musician needs a mentor to go to the next level and this initiative does just that. Bringing together talent from two different generations has been an incredible experience and I look forward to this becoming a calendar event on the Indian music scene. It’s been an absolute pleasure working hand in hand with Ray Ban in building new talent and giving them a platform to take their music to the people.”
Ray-Ban emerging markets business manager Shirley Gong said, “Ray-Ban Never Hide Sounds is an initiative to put forth upcoming talent. This year we were set out to search the most unique and talented voices across various genres of Music. I am delighted to see that this approach has brought a brand new dimension to the latest edition and we have successfully completed this musical journey.”
The Mumbai leg of the tour was on 30 November at Hard Rock Café in Andheri.
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.
