GECs
Zee Smile set for a revamp; Shailja Kejriwal to head
MUMBAI: Zee Network’s dead channel, Zee Smile is all set to ‘smile’ again. After more than a decade of its launch (September 2004), the network aims to get the channel up and running again.
According to sources close to the development, Zee Smile is set for a revamp in the coming months and Zeel chief creative head – special projects Shailja Kejriwal will head the project. She can also be credited for launching general entertainment channel (GEC), Zindagi last year for the Indian diaspora.
With the revamp, the channel is trying to move away from tear jerkers. It aims to bring the fraternity of television and theatre together. Sources from the industry say, “The channel, with the revamp, aims to grab attention of niche audience. Owing to that fact, Zee Smile will be televising plays.”
Shot like a TV series, the channel will have plays across languages dubbed in Hindi. A source within the network further confirms the development and reveals that the planning for the channel’s revamp had begun in December 2014.
Moreover, the theatre groups are also planning to travel across states like Punjab and Orissa amongst others to bring in visibility. “The artists have been rehearsing for close to three months before going on-floors. The shoot is likely to take place in the month of April. Research has also taken place parallely,” reveals a media planner.
“It is a good initiative taken by the network. Additionally, it aims to tap into the international markets, which is a plus point for theatre artists. They will get a good platform to showcase their talent across which they otherwise fail to get,” says a senior executive from a production house.
Kejriwal was unavailable for comment when contacted.
At present, the channel has no original shows in its baskets. It only airs reruns of popular drama series of its sister channel Zee TV such as Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli, Hitler Didi, Tumhari Disha, Woh, Pavitra Rishta and Hum Paanch.
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.
