GECs
Prasar Bharati’s Ramayana gets into Twitter controversy
MUMBAI: Any news is good news is an adage many have followed and touted. But Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati did not expect that Ramayana which is currently getting the country glued to Doordarshan’s channels and to the TV to be caught in the thick of controversy over the source for telecasting the series on the public broadcaster.
It all started with tweet from independent journalist Neha Dixit, in which she said: “Apologies for the inane tweet. But Doordarshan, India’s national broadcaster, is streaming Ramayana from a Moser Baer DVD. Along with the watermark.”
As proof, she posted a screen capture of Arun Govil, who plays Ram in the show, prominently displaying the watermark.
That got Shashi Shekhar’s goat who promptly responded: “This does not seem to be from Doordarshan, please recheck your source.”
To which, Neha did not respond.
That started a war on twitter with hundreds of twitterati blasting Dixit and one of the publications she writes for – The Wire. Some twitterati also suggested that DD should sue her for her brand of journalism.
But both Shashi Shekhar and Neha chose to stay mum, even though many of his followers said that the screengrab has been taken from a YouTube channel – where the show is running – and is being passed of as that from DD.
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.
