News Broadcasting
Rakesh Chaudhry launches sitcom and travel show for DD Metro
Veteran TV producer Rakesh Chaudhry, creator of trend setting TV serials including Bante Bigadte, Chunauti and Mujrim Haazir, is now ready with his latest offerings – a sitcom, Aisa Bhi Hota Hai and a travel show Raj Travels Duniya Ki Sair Kar Lo.
Both serials will go on air shortly on DD Metro. While Aisa Bhi Hota Hai is to be telecast every Wednesday at 7:30 pm, Raj Travels Duniya Ki Sair Kar Lo will be telecast every Saturday at 9 pm with a repeat telecast on Sunday at 10 am.
At a time when producers are fleeing DD, what makes Rakesh loyally patronize it? “Well, at least I retain the rights of re-telecast of these serials elsewhere. In any case, buying a slot on DD Metro is not as expensive as it is on DD and with our able in-house marketing team, we do hope to recover our investments and make profits,” he says.
Ashok Patole, who has scripted Shriman Shrimati for DD Metro. The sitcom revolves around Sinha (Dilip Prabhavalkar), a retired man, his wife (Shubha Khote), son Vikram (Prashant Damle), Vikram’s wife Shyamal (Tanaaz Currim), Sinha’s two daughters Shaila( Kishori Ambiye) and Pinky (Suchitra). Vikram and Shyamal work in the same office where the boss, Advani ( Ajit Vacchani) is always chasing Shyamal. It’s always either Advani or some invited guest landing in the Sinha home creating unforeseen and humorous situations.
Raj Travels Duniya Ki Sair Kar Lo is an international travel show, interwoven with popular songs in the form of a countdown. The show introduces a new hostess Parinita Seth and is directed by Shadab A Khan. If the first episode that features Singapore is anything to go by, the show appears to be high on quality, rich in content and supplemented by high production values.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
