News Broadcasting
Sony’s Kutumb switches to new avatar
MUMBAI:Sony’s ace in the pack has donned new robes.
Kutumb, the love-hate saga that started in late October last year, has relaunched in a fresh format. After the protracted relationship between the chief protagonists Pratham and Gauri came to a happy end last week, the serial started a new story this Monday with the lead actors playing out different roles. Their names however remain the same – Pratham and Gauri.
The idea,” says Sony’s on air programming director Anupama Mandloi, “is to explore different aspects of the man-woman relationship without stretching any one story for too long.” This, the Balaji show attempts to do by retaining the now recognizable faces of the actors but by infusing a fresh storyline – the life of which will be decided by the ratings. Although Kutumb, along with Balaji sibling Kkusum continue to remain channel drivers for Sony helping it to retain a strong presence on the 9 – 10 pm timeband, the channel believes it was time for Kutumb’s family to move on. In the latest ratings released by market research agency AC Nielsen TAM Media, the show in fact ranked number 32 in the top 100 shows across C&S households with a TVR of 3.49, only slightly behind top Sony show Kkusum, which ranked 27 with a TVR of 3.8.
Mandloi is not worried that the loyal following of Kutumb might be weaned away to other channels due to the drastic change in storyline. The scene shifts to college life, with Pratham playing a cheeky teenager who doesn’t much believe in eternal love, while Gauri turns into a bespectacled, conservative girl who thinks its love that makes the world go round. The theme song has been suitably changed although the tune remains the same. Mandloi believes that any show that wants to live a long life will need to re-invent itself to succeed in these trying times.
Kutumb version 2 has however not been marked by much publicity, except for the promos run on the channel for the last two weeks. The publicity is to be built up over the next few weeks, as the viewer catches on to the new story, say channel officials.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
