GECs
Star Plus gears up for ‘Dil Hai Hindustani’ launch in January
MUMBAI: After launching P.O.W, Star Plus is geared up to launch its yet another grand singing reality show “Dil Hai Hindustani.” Though the channel has not officially announced the launch date, but the show is slated to go on air by January 2017, and will be replacing Masterchef India at 8pm time slot.
Produced by Frames Production, the show will celebrate the popularity of Bollywood music through talent from across the globe, from different cultures and nationalities, bound together by their love for Bollywood songs.
Vivo has come on board for the show as the presenting sponsor.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Frames Production founder Ranjeet Thakur said, “Dil Hai Hindustani is a unique show and we are very excited. We have gone far and wide across the world in search of a good talent. People will see and realize how different it will be from the other reality shows.”
“Dil Hai Hindustani” promises to be a musical extravaganza showcasing phenomenal performances through not just solo, but also duet and group performances consisting of bands, choirs, acapella; a first of its kind on Indian television.
The talent on the show will be judged by an expert panel who India on the world map for music. The panel would consist of director Karan Johar who travelled the globe to handpick singers for the show, while Bollywood’s favourite rapper, Badshah, will be seen making a debut as a judge on television. Music sensation — Shekhar Ravjiani and Shalmali Kholgade will be seen monitoring the contestants and judging the show.
Bollywood’s finest director Karan Johar, known to create magic with every project he undertakes, said, “I am thrilled to be associated with and have an opportunity to curate performances based on talent from across the globe. It is rare to find a platform which takes Bollywood to the centrestage and with ‘Dil Hai Hindustani,’ we are ready to entertain the world with extraordinary performances.”
Asked about launching his digital platform anytime soon, addressing the media Johar replied in the negative, and said, “Digital is definitely a very strong medium and a great means to scout talent. I have always been on the lookout to hunt for talented people on the web. As for venturing into it, I am still not ready. Right now, every failed script becomes a web series or short film, but I want to wait and see how the medium moves ahead. I will let others make the stairs and happily climb on when the time is right. Digital is a kid right now, when it will grow, it will be massive.”
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.
