GECs
Star Plus invokes superheroes in fight for 8 pm slot
MUMBAI: In a strategic U-Turn, Star Plus has replaced its 8 pm tale of re-birth and love Pyaar Ke Do Naam – Ek Raadha Ek Shyaam with a futuristic science fiction drama Antariksh.
The game plan has the channel eyeing kids and housewives to fight the Zee TV soap airing in the same slot, Banoo Main Teri Dulhann.
“Our focus group discussions reveal that the majority of housewives turn to TV in a serious manner only post 8:30 pm. We have also found that kids are generally glued to television till 8:30 pm. So, with Antariksh, we are targeting both these audience groups. We hope that, the upcoming Diwali holiday season will help the show to attain a strong opening,” states Star India EVP Deepak Segal.
Antariksh is launching on 2 October. Star Plus’ last attempt on the kids genre was with the weekend prime time show Haatim, produced by Sagar Arts. Haatim ran on the channel for 50 episodes. An official release assures that “Antariksh is not just kid’s programming, since it is inspired by the Ramayana.”
Antariksh, is an adventurous action-fiction of various events that will shape the destiny of the indomitable and courageous Prince Amar, as he fights the ultimate evil, Rankaal, in his quest to save humanity. It is the fight between good versus evil (Amar versus Rankaal). The story is a war of the titans which is fought with hi tech gadgets and amazing weapons, the release further informs.
The series is produced by Ashim Samanta and Jyotin Goel from Wild Fire Entertainment. The special effects and animation part of Antariksh is handled by Jyoti Sagar from Sagar Arts Productions and Prasad Ajgaonkar from Interactive Realities Ltd.
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.
