GECs
Mumbai’s local trains will see many a ‘Kangan’ as serial launches Thursday on Star Plus
Yet another family drama targeted at the Indian housewife (or should that be North Indian housewife) hits the small screen today with the launch of “Kangan” on Star Plus.
And the Star India team has chosen a novel way to make the public aware of what exactly is happening. Keeping in mind the “women-centric” nature of the serial, teams are fanning out in the ladies compartments of local trains that every day bring commuters into Mumbai’s business districts. Gold-plated “kangans” (chunky bangles) are being distributed to the women passengers as a one-day promotional exercise. “Kangan” is the heavy bangle that North Indian women wear after marriage and is normally a family heirloom the mother-in-law gifts to the daughter-in-law.
Star has been using ad stickers on the walls of Mumbai’s local trains for advertising its serials but this is the first time that they are attempting to get their message across by actually meeting passengers.
The weekly family drama, produced and directed by yesteryear’s actress Asha Parekh through her Akruti Productions, will air every Thursday at 9:30 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.
