GECs
Does heavy rain spoil Manya’s ‘Shukriya’?
MUMBAI: Zindagi’s first original reality show, ‘Shukriya’, is becoming the most talked about unique show on television since its launch two weeks ago. Living up to its commitment of continuously satiating the entertainment needs of its viewers with meaningful content, Zindagi launched ‘Shukriya’, produced by Frames Productions and anchored by Gunjan Utreja. But, shooting for this show is far from easy as it involves giving a surprise without letting the person receiving it being aware of it. And an open-air surprise in the monsoons is even more difficult to pull off smoothly.
Shukriya is a simple, perhaps even a little underrated…It’s a word that has the power to evoke a million positive emotions and can bind people in a happy way and the aim is make ‘Shukriya’ a way of life. This concept is also in sync with Zindagi’s brand promise of ‘Jodey Dilon Ko’. This show gives real people a platform to exhibit their real emotions and in turn, gives those they want to thank, a memory that will last them a lifetime.
The upcoming episode of ‘Shukriya’ on Sunday, 23 August will showcase Manya surprising her grandparents with something grand for devoting their life to her and raising her with so much love, care and grace. And just as all seemed to be in place for the surprise, a heavy downpour of rain came pouring down creating havoc and leaving the entire unit stranded and waiting for a few hours.
Gunjan and Manya were left heartbroken when their plans went haywire of bringing together a perfect surprise for her grandparents. Just as Manya’s reasons to thank her grandparents are endearing, the intense rain does become a dampener to her plans.
Will Gunjan and Manya sit back and allow the rain to spoil their plans or will they work around it and go ahead with their perfect surprise?
GECs
Pocket FM partners with Indian Open Pickleball 2026
Audio platform joins forces with major tournament to engage young fans.
MUMBAI: Pocket FM just served up a perfect partnership because when audio storytelling meets pickleball’s fast-paced rallies, even the sidelines start listening. Pocket FM, the world’s largest audio series platform, has announced a strategic partnership with Indian Open 2026, one of India’s biggest pickleball tournaments organised by Global Sports in Hyderabad in association with Pickl’Out and Crosscourts Sports Club.
The collaboration brings Pocket FM’s immersive storytelling to one of the fastest-growing emerging sports in India. Pickleball, known for its accessibility, energy and strong community appeal, is rapidly attracting younger, digitally savvy audiences making it an ideal platform for Pocket FM to deepen its cultural relevance.
Under the partnership, Pocket FM will enjoy extensive on-ground and digital visibility throughout the tournament, which begins on 1 April 2026. This includes centre court branding, venue-wide presence, presenting rights for select matches, player lounge branding, team jersey integration, and strong integration across live streaming and social media.
Pocket FM, SVP and global head for brand marketing and partnerships Vineet Singh said, “Pickleball is building a strong connection with young and engaged audiences in India. This partnership allows us to connect with people in a meaningful way through strong on-ground presence and digital visibility.”
Global Sports and Indian Open 2026, founder Hemal Jain added, “Partnering with Pocket FM adds an exciting new dimension to the experience. As a brand that has built deep resonance with young audiences, Pocket FM is a strong fit for the energy and ambition of this tournament.”
The move reflects Pocket FM’s continued strategy of aligning with emerging passion points and building deeper engagement with communities driven by competition and shared experiences.
In a country where sports and stories often collide, Pocket FM isn’t just sponsoring a tournament, it’s turning every rally into a narrative, proving that the best audio moments sometimes happen when the paddle meets the ball.









