GECs
Vijay TV gears up for a reality show
MUMBAI: Reality is back in vogue. Vijay TV is all set to test the bravado in the south. The channel will be premiering a reality show Vai Raja Vai on Sunday 22 February at 10:30 am.
A unique concept for Tamil television is touted to be a test for endurance and determination. Shot on 17 February, Tuesday at 2:45 pm the channel shot Kalyana Seer, a reality competition where the competitors have to place their palm on a glass frame. Last one to take off the palm wins. The event saw 15 contestants participating, even after 24 hours eight contested still continued to compete.
The show, says a company release, is experimentation with new genres and program formats typical to Vijay.
The channel has also invited participants to compete in the contest. The interested candidates will have log on to the company site or personally visit the office and fill in the requisite forms. The selected candidates will be called for an audition, screening test and a physical fitness test.
According to Vijay TV programming head Suresh Iyer, “Vai Raja Vai is a reality show and is way different from the stereotypical content available on television today. The philosophy of Vijay has always been to pioneer differentiated and relevant programming in line with the changing needs of audiences. We are confident that this reality show will add a lot more excitement to the habit of television”.
The premier show Kalyana Seer has a price worth Rs 1, 00,000. The participants were Nallakannu (27 years) from Thenkasi, Basker (25 years) from Alwarpet, Murali (29 years) from Trichy, Shahin (24 years) from Trichy, Mala (25 years) from Velachery, Sahira (38 years) from Trichy and Prince (21 years) from Kolathur, adds the release.
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.
