Factual
NGC goes for the kill every Monday
The National Geographic Channel has started a series of programmes Built for the kill on Monday at 8 pm which examines the manner in which animals hunt for their prey. The process of hunting and survival is deconstructed. The settings are as diverse as dry deserts and lush rainforests.
On Christmas eve the episode is called Miniature. We visit a raiding colony of an army of ants. We see how extraordinary miniature predators interact with their prey. Don't be fooled by their small size.
We also see the nurturing jewel wasp, the bizarre peripatus, the frightful arachnids. The movements are constantly tracked before and after a kill.
The next episode on New Year's eve is called Swamp. As the title suggests animals who live and hunt among the swamps take centrestage. This covers the vicious alligator, the snapping turtle. The show will examine how the unique living conditions of the swamps have fine tuned the hunting skills of the water scorpion, the deadly accuracy of the egret.
MUMBAI: India’s most famous hot seat is about to welcome an unlikely first-timer. For the first time on Hindi general entertainment television, industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla will appear on Kaun Banega Crorepati, the iconic quiz show hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.
The special episode marks a rare meeting point of boardroom heft and prime-time television, bringing one of India’s most influential business leaders face to face with the country’s most enduring screen legend. It is a crossover that blends intellect, leadership and popular culture, all under KBC’s familiar spotlight.
Birla’s appearance dovetails neatly with the show’s current theme, Jahaan Akal Hai, Wahan Akad Hai, which celebrates the confidence that comes from clarity of thought and knowledge. His presence lends weight to the idea that sharp thinking and conviction are as vital in life as they are in the quiz chair.
In a thoughtful conversation with Bachchan, Birla shared an upbeat view of India’s economic journey, pointing to the nation’s rapid growth and the scale of opportunity opening up across industries and communities. He spoke of momentum, ambition and a future shaped by enterprise and ideas.
The episode is not all serious talk. In lighter moments, Birla confessed his long-standing admiration for Bachchan, calling him his favourite actor and admitting to a touch of nervousness at answering questions in front of the Shahenshah himself. The candour adds a human touch to a man more often seen in headlines than on television sets.
The special episode airs on Monday, 29 December at 9.00 pm on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.
