GECs
Zee argues ‘Time Bomb’ features not bound by copyrights
MUMBAI: Resuming its arguments on the serial Time Bomb in the Delhi High Court, Zee Telefilms today argued that, presentation features and formats were not bound by copyright laws.
“We have also screened some parts of the Time Bomb serial. We will screen its first episode on 1 July,” said Zee counsel Maninder Singh, adding that, the broadcaster has also brought the court’s attention to various global court rulings favouring the theory that presentation techniques and formats can’t be copyrighted.
Zee also screened CDs of various television shows and movies which have featured the split-screen and screen clock techniques. According to Singh, the Indian broadcaster was trying to prove its point that, these techniques have already been used on television and movies and hence can’t be monopolised by anyone. The Court has now adjourned the hearing to 1 July.
Twentieth Century Fox, had sought an injunction against Zee TV telecasting its Rs 110 million thriller Time Bomb. The US producer, in a suit filed on 17 June, had alleged that the Zee serial has copied the concept of its ongoing TV serial 24.
Since the court had refused to stay the Time Bomb telecast, the serial is currently on air. The second episode of the weekly is scheduled to go air tonight at 10 pm.
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.
