GECs
Sony bags 2004 surprise hits ‘Murder’, ‘Masti’
MUMBAI: ‘Dial SET for movies,’ that seems to be the message Sony Entertainment Television is planning to send out loud and clear. With the festive season approaching, movie bonanza is clearly in the offing for the audience; the brigade being led by sci-fi flick Koi Mil Gaya..
Latest is that Sony has bagged the telecast rights for two of 2004’s surprise hits Murder and Masti.
Both movies, coincidentally, are based on adult themes. But while Murder is a suspense thriller, Masti is a comedy. Touted as the biggest hit of 2004, Murder starring Emran Hasmi and Mallika Sherawat, came into limelight owing to the controversies surrounding few “bold” scenes and lead actor’s voracity for sound bytes. With an obviously borrowed plot from the west, the movie has a gripping storyline of love and deceit.
Although, when contacted, the Sony officials refused to comment, sources say that the movie will be aired during the last quarter of this year.
The comedy hit Masti starring Aftab Shivdasani, Vivek Oberoi, Ritiesh Deshmukh, Tara Sharma, Amrita Rao and Genelia D’Souza is based on the idea of seven-year-itch ‘phenomenon’ propagated by the Hollywood flick by the same name.
The channel will soon be airing last year’s dud movie Calcutta Mail – a story of a man who leaves his hometown and comes to Calcutta to in search of something or someone special. However all is not as it seems and he soon realises he is being watched. The movie stars Anil Kapoor and Rani Mukherjee.
Last year’s bonanza Koi Mil Gaya starring Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta will be shown at Diwali.
While the market was abuzz that Zee was a front-runner in the line to bag the rights for Masti, the final outcome proved otherwise. Ditto for Murder.
But small fry scoops aside, the real winner will be the one that manages to bag the big catch for the season- 2004’s biggest blockbuster till date Kal Ho Naa Ho.
We believe that the race is on to pocket the rights for the Preity Zinta, Shahraukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan starrer.
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.
