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Sony TV snaps up Wheel of Fortune rights; Akshay Kumar to host Indian edition
MUMBAI: One of television’s most enduring franchises is spinning into India. Sony Pictures Networks India is set to launch Wheel of Fortune, the world’s most popular game show, fronted by Akshay Kumar and positioned as a flagship prime-time property for 2026.
A fixture of American television for decades, Wheel of Fortune has been crowned the most-watched entertainment show in the US by Variety, certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s most popular TV game show and decorated with multiple Daytime Emmy Awards. Now, Sony is betting that its blend of puzzles, pace and spectacle will strike the same chord with Indian viewers.
The Indian edition will be anchored by Akshay Kumar, whose television pull remains formidable. Five of his satellite premieres have crossed 2.5+ TVR, according to BARC data from 2019 to 2025, reinforcing his status as a reliable audience and advertiser draw.
Sony is planning one of its largest integrated launches in recent years, stitching together Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV to deliver a single, cross-screen proposition. For advertisers, the pitch is clear: mass reach on television, precision targeting on digital and a unified narrative across devices.
Nachiket pantvaidya, business head, Sony Entertainment Television, said the network was extending its tradition of importing proven global formats. Wheel of Fortune, he said, would be a “high-energy entertainment engine” and a powerful brand-building platform across television and digital.
Akshay Kumar called the show a global favourite with rare multi-generational appeal, adding that its puzzle-led thrill would resonate strongly with Indian audiences. With Sony’s linear and digital reach combined, he said, the format was primed to engage viewers “like never before”.
The format has been licensed by Highgate Entertainment, LLC, with Frames Production Company producing the Indian version for Sony Pictures Networks India. Viewers will also be able to play along via Sony LIV, adding a layer of interactivity to the broadcast.
This is more than another format adaptation. With global IP heft, a marquee host and an all-platform rollout, Wheel of Fortune India is being positioned as both a ratings weapon and an advertising juggernaut. The wheel is set. The stakes are high. And Sony is clearly ready to spin big.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
