GECs
Optimystix out of Sony’s ‘Fame Gurukul’
MUMBAI: Sony is looking for new producers to take on part of their dream project, “reality based soap opera” Fame Gurukul, which was being touted as the next big thing after Indian Idol.
When contacted, SET EVP and business head Tarun Katial quipped, “I have nothing to say on this.”
Optimystix Entertainment director Sanjeev Sharma did, however, admit that his production house would no more be a part of the the Indian adaptation of the Spanish reality show Operacion Triunfo. “We are not doing Fame Gurukul. The decision was reached some time last week. After that we were travelling a bit, We have returned just today,” Sharma says.
According to the the industry grapevine, differences cropped up between the two parties when Sony thought that Optimystix had gone over-budget on Indian Idol.
Says Sharma, “We were not working on any specific budget in Indian Idol. That was a reimbursable budget. There is no question of going overboard in terms of money.”
It may be recalled that as in the case of Indian Idol, production work for Fame Gurukul was to be shared between Optimystix and Miditech. The on-ground activities of Fame Gurukul were assigned to Miditech while “in-studio” work was to be handled by Optimystix.
The 64-million dollar question now is of course: Will Optimystix be doing Indian Idol 2?
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.
