GECs
Sony bags rights to ‘Koi Mil Gaya’, ‘Baghban’
MUMBAI: ‘Woo audiences with blockbusters’. Sony Entertainment Television continues on a strategy long championed by its chief executive Kunal Dasgupta with the acquisition of exclusive rights to two of 2003’s biggest blockbuster movies Baghban and Koi Mil Gaya..
While SET India is still to make an announcement to this effect, Sony Entertainment Television’s international feed has already declared it has won the broadcast rights for the two films.
SET Asia announced that besides the two blockbusters, it has also secured rights for a few other box office hits.
According to a company statement, the channel will also premier 2003 release Om. On the events front, SET Asia is showcasing Femina Miss India 2004 on 27 March (Saturday) at 9 pm and the SET Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2003 on Sunday 28 March at 10 pm.
SET Asia, UK and Europe, head Nilam Panchal has been quoted in the statement as saying, “This year we’re bringing our viewers the biggest movie line up that will be second to none. Our Bollywood blockbusters will include premieres of Om, Baghban, Koi Mil Gaya and many more. With a fresh schedule from March onwards, Sony Entertainment Television Asia will be the only channel to watch whether you like movies, dramas or cricket.”
Back home, meanwhile, both Baghban and Koi Mil Gaya , are pitted against each other at the Filmfare Awards, which airs live tonight on SET.
Baghban starring Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Salman Khan and Mahima Choudary, is a story about family man abandoned by his family after retirement. With its huge star cast, great music and a touching storyline this movie got rave reviews from around the world, says the release.
Koi Mil Gaya starring Hrithik Roshan and Preeti Zinta is a sci-fi film with the fine special effects. Directed by Rakesh Roshan, the movie starring Hrithik Roshan was recieved well by the masses and classes alike.
Sony has begun 2004 on a “blockbuster note” by announcing the acquisition of Salman Khan’s surprise hit of 2003 Tere Naam.
With Koi Mil Gaya and Baghban also in the bag, Sony already has three of 2003’s biggest blockbusters on its roster.
And the cost? An industry source that indiantelevision.com tapped for this information estimates that the three films collectively cost in the region of Rs 230 million (Koi Mil Gaya Rs 90 million, Baghban Rs 80 million and Tere Naam Rs 50-60 million).
Wonder if anyone would be willing to lay wagers against Dasgupta bagging the remaining two blockbusters of 2003 – Kal Ho Na Ho and Munnabhai MBBS? Unlikely.
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.
