GECs
Zee strengthens its primetime band with ‘Do Dil Bandhe Ek Dori Se’
MUMBAI: ‘Adjustments in a marriage’ is a universal topic as all around us, we see couples striving hard to have a harmonious relationship with their spouses. Adjustment in the relationship occurs between an individual and the environment that he/she lives in. Couples face difficulties when they have to share their lives with a partner who was raised with different values, morals and rules. Whether united by love or an arranged marriage, the adjustment period of a marriage is the crucial litmus test of a relationship.
Come 12 August at 8:30 pm, Zee TV’s upcoming primetime drama Do Dil Bandhe Ek Dori Se lends to this thought beautifully and delves a little deeper into the heart of one such woman who marries a man who is unequal to her in every respect. The story unfolds in Jodhpur where Shivani and Raghu share a master – servant equation respectively. Hailing from two very different strata’s of society, Shivani is a privileged girl who lives a luxurious life with her grandfather Balwant Chauhan. He is an overprotective guardian who an aide in the house has named Raghu. Circumstances conjure up a situation where Shivani, the girl born to riches is married to an underprivileged Raghu.
Zeel content head Ajay Bhalwankar said, “The beauty of Do Dil Bandhe Ek Dori Se is its simplicity. The protagonists from two different backgrounds had different dreams while destiny etched out quite another plan for them. The story outlines the lives of Raghu and Shivani who are suddenly bound together by the design of destiny. It’s a wonderful and poignant story that showcases Raghu and Shivani’s journey from resistance to acceptance and embracing their destinies.”
Producer Kalyan Guha and his wife Rupali of Film Farm Productions have signed on an impressive cast for the show. Said Rupali on the occasion, “It’s with Zee TV that we began our television journey with a series called Chausat Panne followed by Tumhari Disha and Rakhi. It’s an honor to produce our next show Do Dil Bandhe Ek Dori for Zee TV.”
Arhaan Behl will enact the role of Raghu and Mansi Shrivastav will play the female lead, Shivani. Shivani’s grandfather will be enacted by veteran actor, Alok Nath as Balwant Rana. Rucha Gujarati and Vikas Sethi will be seen as Mahima and Jaswant Rana (Shivani’s bhabhi and bhaiyya) respectively.
At the time of telecast, the drama series will complete shooting of 10 episodes. There are two studios setup at Elora Studios, Dahisar one Raghu’s house and second Shivani’s house. The channel promises to go big on digital platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
The launch campaign of the show will include the use of audio visual mediums such as TV, DTH and cable in the Hindi speaking markets (HSM). Differentiated properties will be used in DTH such as Shifting LCN, whereby a new channel will be created between any two existing channels where the show related content will be telecast, and Live streaming where as soon as one switches on their set top box, they will be diverted to the channel.
This phenomenon will be on Dish TV and Airtel on the launch day of the show. Marketing initiatives have also been aligned around upcoming movies like Chennai Express. The sustenance campaign will highlight how destiny plays a catalyst in bringing two people together through both on-air as well as off-air mediums.
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.
