GECs
Non-Kannada filmdom retaliates to shortened moratorium
BANGALORE: Unhappy with the three-week moratorium solution, the Indian filmdom has reacted strongly to the decision taken by a meeting chaired by the Karnataka deputy chief minister Siddharamiah.
The Film Federation of India, the South India Film Chambers of Commerce, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have now decided to go ahead with their decision to enforce the following embargos against the Kannada film industry:
(1) No other language film will be released in Karnataka.
(2) No hero, heroines, directors, singers, and technicians, including junior artistes from other languages will work in Kannada films.
(3) No other language film producers will produce Kannada films.
(4) No Kannada actors, producers or technicians will be permitted to work in any other industry.
(5) No Kannada films will be dubbed in any other language.
(6) No shooting will be done in Karnataka by any other language, Kannada films will be refused permission to shoot outside Kannada
(7) Roping in Hollywood, Kodak and Fuji will be asked to limit raw stock to Kannada films, and Dolby and DTS be asked to stop giving their equipment to the state.
In a meeting chaired by the deputy CM last week, the Kannada filmdom had decided to reduce the moratorium on the release of non-Kannada films in Karnataka from seven weeks to three weeks. It is learnt that the non-Kannada film distributors and exhibitors were not present at the meeting.
Reportedly, many producers across the country have to follow Gemini films footsteps and approach the SC to knock some sense in the persons behind the moratorium. Some have decided to distribute and have simultaneous releases across the country including Karnataka at their own expenses if distributors in Karnataka don’t do it.
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.
