GECs
Star India producer: Incredible to know about art and evolution of storytelling
MUMBAI: “It was insightful to know about the conscious and subconscious mind, and it was incredible to know about the art and evolution of storytelling,” said Star India senior producer Avni Bhatija. She was among a gathering of creative heads at Qench Studioz at Lower Parel, Mumbai, recently.
On 23 March, creativity abounded at Qench with a gathering of several notables of the advertising fraternity. It was a first-of-its-kind initiative to bring people from this industry together in one room, to create an idea sharing a collaborative learning platform – a platform where one can showcase one’s work and meet people from the industry, not for business, but to share creativity and knowledge in a convivial atmosphere.
Ogilvy ECD South Asia Sumanto Chattopadhyay, a firm believer in collaborative learning, was the star speaker and his thought on the psychology of the brain that mostly thinks in stories was an eye opener for many. This initiative is the brainchild of Avadhut Hembade, an award-winning photographer, a 25 year veteran of the industry and the CMD of Qench Studioz.
Avadhut believes that in the daily routine and grind of our jobs, we lose out on sharing ideas and discovering the treasure-trove of hidden personal talent in the advertising fraternity. He has now created a space for these creative souls, to share not only their talent in advertising but also as artists, writers, poets, photographers, actors, dancers or musicians. The intention is to share work, learn from others, inspire and be inspired to produce brilliant pieces of creativity.
Chattopadhyay is a gem in the advertising industry and an inspiration to many. He is accustomed to wearing several hats and is an actor, writer and photographer. He also holds the prestigious title of ECD at Ogilvy & Mather, the renowned ad agency. A firm believer in collaborative learning, his main thrust was on the psychology of the brain. He stated, “The brain cannot not think of a story,” sums it all up. In his talk, he goes on to explain with examples, how the advertising industry too could make use of this fact in its creative output.
The first event received an overwhelming response and was attended by several top leaders of various media agencies as well as the eminent Sandeep Kulkarni, of Shwaas and Dombivili Fast fame. One of the attendees, Sushant Gaikwad of Paarami Digital, said, “Such initiatives will help drive the creativity of the industry to higher levels and everybody using the learnings of Sumanto will surely contribute great work to the industry.”
Other participants included Star India associate VP Santosh Patil, Leo Burnett ECD Sachin Kamble, DDB Mudra ECD Ashish Phatak, and Lowe Lintas creative director Purwa Sali.
Abhijit Karandikar, Kunal Sawant, Rajeshwari Rao, Sushil Chintak, Durga Bangade and Minal Phatak, senior creative directors of Ogilvy & Mather, applauded the initiative.
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.
