News Broadcasting
[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
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
