News Broadcasting
TV producer Aroona Irani celebrates the success of ‘Des mein…’
MUMBAI: It was celebration time at Mumbai’s ITC Grand Maratha Sheraton Hotel on Saturday, 31 May, 2003. Veteran actress and famed producer Aroona Irani held a bash to celebrate the success of her Star Plus soap Des Mein Nikhla Hoga Chand (DMNHC). She became the first independent producer to beat Balaji in the ratings game in recent times.
The serial conceptualised and created by AK Films has had an uninterrupted run of 84 episodes since 2001 in the prime time slot of 9 pm. The serial DMNHC had ousted the usual Balaji contenders -Kyunki ….. Kahaani … and Kasauti Zindagi Kay …..from the top position, reveal the latest TRP ratings (for the week 5 May to 10 May 2003).
DMNHC topped the chart with a TRP of 10.9, followed by Kasauti …at 10.5 and Kyunki …at 10.3. However, in the recent ratings provided by TAM (week 21 for 18-24 May), Balaji’s Kasauti… has grabbed the top three spots (10.5) followed by DMNHC with a TVR of 9.5.
In the presence of her unit and several TV stars, Irani, dressed in a blue coloured saree, attributed the unprecendent success to the gripping storyline. “The storyline has a social fervour that blends two varying cultures – the western NRI (non resident India) and our own traditionally soaked Indian ethos. Not a pebble has been left unturned to make the serial visually rich and technically up-to-date to match the core narrative. The storyline also emcompasses an interesting romantic interlude,” added Irani.
Present on the occasion were TV stars such as Sangeeta Ghosh, Shweta Keswani, Siddharth Dhawan and Varun Badola. Also making his presence felt was Amarr Upadhyay who returning to the small screen after his insipid feature film debut.
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
