Factual
Nigel Marven to explore deadly Indian snakes on Animal Planet’s new series
MUMBAI: Come 5 October and Animal Planet will be airing a new series featuring wildlife adventurer Nigel Marvin’s escapades in India.
Known as the ‘land of snake charmers’ for centuries, India is home to over 300 species of snakes, with more than 50 venomous varieties. In Animal Planet’s upcoming series Deadliest Snakes with Nigel Marven, the naturalist and wildlife adventurer visits India for his pick of ten deadliest snakes in the country.
The show will air from Monday to Friday at 9 pm on Animal Planet. In a new season of action-packed snake adventures, Marven takes on India, Malaysia, Australia, Europe and more. He will be seen tackling some of the world’s most lethal snakes and exploring some of the most incredible and dangerous species of the world.
From Tamil Nadu to Andaman Island, and across Western Ghats, Marven travels the length and breadth of India for his countdown of ten deadliest snakes in India including some of the most lethal snakes like yellow-lipped sea krait, king cobra and the Russell’s viper. He tracks Indian rock python, one of the largest and longest snakes in India, which can grow up to six meters and can weigh 90 kilos.
On the trail of his top ten, Marven visits Malaysia, home to over 170 species of snakes, around 40 of which are venomous. He meets worshippers and vipers at Penang’s famous Snake Temple, takes a boat trip through the mangrove swamps of Langkawi, and even visits a hospital. Next in his journey is Australia, renowned for its deadly flora and fauna, and its many venomous snakes.
With the help of reptile experts and scientists, Marven also travels from the Sandstone Mountains of New South Wales to the tropical rain forests of northern Queensland to track down his top ten. He even meets Steve Irwin’s son Robert, who takes him hunting for snakes in his favourite billabong.
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.
