GECs
Sahara One to air movies before theatrical release
MUMBAI: For the first time ever, Sahara One will be airing movies prior to their theatrical release. This will start from 10 June with Hum Jo Keh Na Paaye at 8:30 pm.
Sahara One Television COO Purnendu Bose said, “Indian entertainment space will witness a new era, a new beginning where television viewers, especially viewers on Sahara One would be able to watch mega movies in the comfort of their homes, even before it is released in theatres. The idea is to increase the size of screen. The small screen is getting bigger and bigger and it deserves to be.”
“Today C&S television reaches 44 million homes, if mega movies are all about entertaining masses, television today offers much greater reach with depth and width across the country. That is the reason why we thought Sahara One Television as an alternative platform to theatrical releases,” he added.
Agrees trade pundit Taran Adarsh, “In the West, when a film is made, the studio analyses whether the film is for a theatrical, a DVD or a television release. It is a common practice there. But in India, it has always been theatrically released first and then shown on television. it has never happened that a mainstream producer releases his film on television.”
The other two movies that will be aired this month, apart from Hum JO Keh Naa Paaye are Tum Ho NAand Pehchaan.
Hum JO Keh NA Paaye stars Abhijit Sanyal, Gauri Karnik and Anupam Kher. Tum Ho NA, stars Jackie Shroff, Ria Sen and Nethra Raghuraman and will be aired on 17 June at 8.30 pm.
Pehchaan, starring Raveena Tandon, Vinod Khanna and Rati Agnihotri will air on 24 June.
Hum JO Keh NA Paaye producer Smita Thackeray said, “Television viewership is definitely more than theatres and has amazing penetration. In fact, I think that some soaps are more popular than movies today attracting its own set of loyal viewers. With the kind of promotion from Sahara One, we are definitely bound to reach more viewers through the television release.”
Bose adds that this move of pioneering Friday releases on television is a definite indicator of the changing trends of film business in India.
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.
