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Star’s new karaoke show snaps up Sonu Nigam
Star Plus, the flagship channel of the Star group, seems determined to tap all genres in the slew of new programmes it is unleashing in 2002.
Commencing end February or early March, the channel will start a new music based show to be anchored by what once was Zee’s hot property – Sonu Nigam. The young singer took the talent show Sa Re Ga Ma to the height of the popularity charts for nearly five years, charming viewers with both his youthful good looks and his obvious talent for the art and the medium. After Nigam quit the show, Aman and Ayaan Ali Bangash, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan’s sons, took over Sa Re Ga Ma, but could not retain the ratings.
After a while in hibernation, Nigam has now been snapped by Star Plus to host a celebrity based karaoke show that takes off in less than two months. Apart from big names like Adnan Sami and Leslie Lewis who will be invited to sing on the show in each episode, the show will have audiences actively participating in singing along with Sonu and walking away with titles like Karaoke King and Karaoke Queen. This is expected to provide talented youngsters with the opportunity to meet with their favourite stars and exhibit their talent through the karaoke medium. The celebrities will compete in a ‘boys-versus-girls’ format by singing along to their favourite Hindi songs. Shooting is expected to begin by 26 January.
Sony had earlier tried a similar format, without the karaoke element, in Star Ya Kalakaar, which had veteran actor Farida Jalal in the host’s seat. Star’s Kya Masti Kya Dhoom, hosted by Sonali Bendre, has already climbed into INTAM’s top 10 most popular programmes across all channels, a fact that has probably inspired Star to launch another music based show. Nigam who had, in an earlier media interview, said that the best thing about Sa Re Ga Ma was the opportunity to meet the music maestros and living legends of India up close, will now get a second chance to do so.
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.
