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[V]’s ‘Disco Star’ set to go head to head with Set’s ‘Indian Idols’
MUMBAI: Fresh off the success of Popstars and Popstars 2 Channel [V] in association with film production company Mukta Arts have announced a reality show [V] Disco Star. The show will search for a glamour girl and goes on air on Channel [V] sometime in October.
That is also when Sony is launching its biggest show of the year Indian Idols.
Unlike Idols however whose aim will be to discover a new singing talent, [V]’s search for a Glamour Girl over the age of 18 will end with the winner doing a Mukta Arts film. The search kicks off on air in a couple of week’s time. Through email, hopefuls not just in India but also in the UK and the UAE can send in their applications. They will need to stay tuned to the channel for more details.
On-ground activity in the form of registration and auditions start in about six weeks time. Speaking on the occasion Channel [V] head Amar Deb said that the ground activity in India for registration would not be city-wise but would take another route. Details of this will be coming forth in ten days. Deb also said that the two parties were in the process of roping in a title sponsor.
“The girls selected for auditions will go through a grooming process. They will also be involved in shooting a song for the film. We are looking for one girl but if we find two or three of a very high caliber then they too could star in forthcoming Mukta Arts releases. The venture gives girls from Chandigarh to London a chance to realise their dreams.” Right now Mukta Arts has six to seven films on the floor.
While Deb claimed that the channel was able to have a large number of shows in the top 20, he admitted that due to conditional access the reach was hampered in Chennai and South Delhi. The channel is also struggling a bit in Kolkatta.
The panel judging the audition in Mumbai will include Mukta Arts chairman and MD Subhash Ghai. Speaking on the occasion Ghai said, ” Today cinema is more glamorous and not so much about family or crime. The Glamour Girl will be a larger than life figure whom the viewer will aspire to be like and also look at. I have noticed that the young generation are more versatile with different roles and we are creating this platform for them.”
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.
