Factual
TV channels ready Republic Day programming line-up
MUMBAI: With the Republic Day holiday upon us, broadcasters have readied a slew of programmes to keep viewers enthralled. To build the excitement around the day, various special shows and movies have been lined up. Let’s take a look at a few of them:
Sony BBC Earth is celebrating the day by premiering shows such as Joanna Lumley’s India—recipient of the prestigious Bafta Fellowship. The show entails Lumley taking an evocative journey around the country of her birth. The other show, named The Ganges with Sue Perkins, traces the course of the Ganges, from source to sea, to tell the story of modern India at a crucial point in its history. To make things more interesting, the network will telecast World’s Busiest Cities, the most awaited Blue Planet II and Fishing Impossible.
AXN, meanwhile, is premiering a number of shows such as the Handmaid’s Tal, which is an American television series created by Bruce Miller based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Canadian writer Margaret Atwood, with an IMDb rating of 8.6. Other shows include Vikings season 5. With the death of King Ragnar, his sons are at war against each other. From the executive producer of the show Homeland, The Brave revolves around DIA deputy director Patricia Cambell and her team, who put their lives at risk and embark on challenging missions behind enemy lines. Another heart-racing show is Doubt, which is about a successful defence lawyer at a boutique firm who becomes romantically involved with a client who may or may not be guilty of a brutal crime.
The list of programmes for the Sony cluster doesn’t end there. Sony PIX also has a strong line-up in place for the day. The channel will premiere Ouija: Origin of Evil, which is a show about a widow and her two daughters that use an Ouija board to help people move on with life. Other movies include Fifty Shades Darker, The Fate Of The Furious, Despicable Me 3, and American Made. Another movie to watch out for on the channel is Pitch Perfect 3.
Sony Le PLEX HD has a line-up for shows such as When the Bough Breaks, which is about a surrogate mom for a couple who becomes dangerously obsessed with the soon-to-be father, and All We Had. Adding to the entertainment quotient are Nocturnal Animals and Sing.
Stepping beyond the contours of television, Nickelodeon is celebrating Republic Day with the school kids across various cities. Through its Republic Day campaign, #BeRepublic, the channel took the charge of educating and bringing awareness to the kids. The campaign saw fun videos that captured quick facts about Republic Day and enlightened children about the rich heritage of our country and the importance of parades. Fun gifs and informative posts on social media supported the celebration session. The celebrations continued when Nicktoons took charge of the classroom and converted it to a fun-filled yet informative session at schools across various cities. The toons enlightened children through various placards on quirky unknown facts about our constitution-making syllabus for the day fun and memorable.
With such great programming in the works, this Republic Day is all set to be memorable for viewers across age groups.
Factual
National Geographic launches ‘Postcards from Hong Kong’ with Ridhi Dogra
New series explores the city’s hidden gems and vibrant contrasts, premiering 28 March.
MUMBAI: Ridhi Dogra just sent a postcard from Hong Kong that’s worth framing because when a bustling metropolis reveals its quiet trails and timeless traditions, even the skyline takes a back seat. National Geographic has unveiled Postcards from Hong Kong, a refreshing travel series hosted and curated by actor Ridhi Dogra. Produced by National Geographic Creative Works in collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the show offers an intimate, Indian traveller’s perspective on one of Asia’s most iconic cities, moving beyond its glittering harbour and skyscrapers to uncover serene beaches, scenic hiking trails and deep cultural traditions.
Across three visually rich episodes, Ridhi journeys through contrasting sides of Hong Kong. The first episode takes her on a quieter path of self-discovery to places like Sai Kung, Big Wave Bay, Dragon’s Back, Tai O, Ngong Ping, Po Lin Monastery and the Tian Tan Buddha. The second episode dives into the city’s energetic side, from the bustling streets of Causeway Bay to Happy Valley Racecourse, Michelin-starred spots and luxury shopping at Landmark.
Ridhi Dogra said, “Being part of Postcards from Hong Kong with Nat Geo was a deeply enriching experience. What I love about this journey is that it goes beyond the obvious; it’s not just about the skyline or the speed of the city but about the stories that live in its quieter corners.”
A National Geographic India spokesperson added, “With Postcards from Hong Kong, we set out to go beyond the familiar and explore the city through a more intimate, human lens.”
Hong Kong Tourism Board director of South Asia Puneet Kumar noted, “Postcards from Hong Kong is a reflection of meaningful storytelling that brings the city to life in an immersive way. It beautifully captures the diversity and spirit that define Hong Kong.”
Blending travel, culture and personal storytelling, the series celebrates Hong Kong as a city of contrasts where modern life meets tradition and every corner holds a story waiting to be discovered. It premieres on 28 March at 8 pm on the National Geographic Channel and will also stream on JioHotstar.
In a world of hurried travel reels, Postcards from Hong Kong slows things down just enough to let viewers truly see the city not just its lights, but its layers, proving that the best souvenirs are the stories you bring home.
