News Broadcasting
Sahara launches Balaji soap ‘Kahin To Milenge’
MUMBAI: Balaji Telefilms intention is to spread its programming across as wide a canvas as possible. Yesterday it made another move in that direction with the launch of a youth oriented serial Kahin To Milenge on Subrata Roy’s Sahara TV.
The soap, which has a completely fresh (some would say raw) lead starcast, is based on the story of four separated and adopted siblings destined to come together, it was announced at a press briefing yesterday.
“Since this is our first venture with Sahara channel we have opted for a serial based on an entirely different genre than the usual family drama,” said Balaji Telefilms chief operating officer, Rajesh Pavithran.
On being asked why they chose Sahara he had this to say: “We are sure that the serial will achieve TRPs similar to what our soaps have for other channels and that will be an added feather to our cap. We want to extend our reach and not limit ourselves to a few select channels.”
“The offbeat storyline of this serial will keep our viewers absorbed as the concept is new and has a very promising fresh starcast,” says Sahara TV, vice-president (publicity and PR), Priya Raj.
As part of it strategy to enhance its image as an entertainment channel and compete with the leading channels, the channel has mega serials starring Bollywood bigwigs like Sridevi and Karisma, slated for a launch sometime in January, a Sahara programming executive revealed.
Kahin to Milenge, is the second serial to premiere on the channel this month and will air Monday to Thursday at 8:00 pm. Bhagyashree’s Kagaz Ki Kashti was launched on 4 November.
For Balaji, this is one of two new soaps it expects to launch before the year is out. Balaji had announced in the beginning of October plans to also launch a big-budget one-hour weekend soap Kaalki on Star Plus.
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.
