GECs
Star ropes in Amitabh Bachchan as host for ‘Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi’
MUMBAI: The “Nau Baj Gaye Kya?” question way back in the year 2000 is imprinted in the minds of one and all. That was when megastar Amitabh Bachchan came on the small screen for the first time to host Kaun Banega Crorepati for Star Plus. The show re-wrote Indian television history. Now, after a span of almost 15 years, Star India and Bachchan have come together again.
Come October and the channel is once again looking at changing the grammar of creativity and entertain and inspire a nation with Bachchan in a never-been-seen avatar. This time round, Bachchan will be seen hosting a new show on Star Plus called Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi, which is an adaptation of the British series Tonight’s The Night, which is aired on BBC One. The show will also be made available on hotstar.
BBC One’s Tonight’s The Night is a series combining show-stopping acts from world-class artists with once-in-a-lifetime performances that make people’s dreams come true. The BBC One show is hosted by actor and singer John Barrowman.
Star India CEO Said Uday Shankar said, “Our vision has been to inspire a billion imaginations and we have aimed to do that with every content offering we bring forth as a network. With Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi, we have once again collaborated with the biggest superstar of the country Amitabh Bachchan for a unique project on Indian television that will not only entertain but also inspire individuals and leave them with a reason to smile.”
Bachchan added, “Having started my television journey with Star India, I was always looking to associate with Star Plus again. However, I was keen that we come together for a befitting show that carries forward the legacy. When I heard about Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi, I instantly connected with it. I genuinely believe that media is a powerful vehicle to inspire change but we have to achieve this in an entertaining manner. What I love about this show is that it is a thoroughly entertaining show, but has its heart in the right place. I am really looking forward to it.”
The first promo of the show featuring Bachchan is out on hotstar, where he can be seen in an elevator clapping his way to happiness and dancing to the tunes of peppy beats in Macarena like dance steps.
Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi has brought on Maruti Suzuki as the presenting sponsor, whereas Cadburys Dairy Milk is the powered by sponsor.
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.
