Factual
History TV18 to premiere ‘Appalachian Outlaws’
MUMBAI: American reality television series ‘Appalachian Outlaws’ premieres on History TV18, 5 September onwards, every Sat-Sun at 11pm. The show draws attention to the trade revolving around ginseng, a scarce yet valuable herb native to the Appalachian Mountains. With global demand skyrocketing, dealers are eager to get in on the game, and with prices hovering around $1,000 per pound, diggers are in a frenzy to harvest the mountain gold. Some even believe its gnarled roots have special healing powers.
Sweeping some 1,500 miles from New York to Georgia, the Appalachian Mountains are a historic time capsule – a place where a way of life built around hunting, trapping and trading hasn’t changed since the early 1700’s. Furs, ginseng and moonshine still provide the basis of the economy as they did from earliest frontier days. These mountains have just the right elevation, rainfall and mineral-rich soil to produce the best wild ginseng in the world. But now, a war is brewing over this valuable commodity. Whoever controls the ginseng, controls the mountains.
To prevent over-harvesting in the U.S., a few states have started regulating where it’s legal to pull ginseng, which has made territorial lines even blurrier than before.The plot of this epic new series, set in a land which is famous for its feuds, follows five to eight clans fighting to claim their share of mountain riches during one of the most important seasons of their year: “the fat months” of late summer through harvest time.
MUMBAI: India’s most famous hot seat is about to welcome an unlikely first-timer. For the first time on Hindi general entertainment television, industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla will appear on Kaun Banega Crorepati, the iconic quiz show hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.
The special episode marks a rare meeting point of boardroom heft and prime-time television, bringing one of India’s most influential business leaders face to face with the country’s most enduring screen legend. It is a crossover that blends intellect, leadership and popular culture, all under KBC’s familiar spotlight.
Birla’s appearance dovetails neatly with the show’s current theme, Jahaan Akal Hai, Wahan Akad Hai, which celebrates the confidence that comes from clarity of thought and knowledge. His presence lends weight to the idea that sharp thinking and conviction are as vital in life as they are in the quiz chair.
In a thoughtful conversation with Bachchan, Birla shared an upbeat view of India’s economic journey, pointing to the nation’s rapid growth and the scale of opportunity opening up across industries and communities. He spoke of momentum, ambition and a future shaped by enterprise and ideas.
The episode is not all serious talk. In lighter moments, Birla confessed his long-standing admiration for Bachchan, calling him his favourite actor and admitting to a touch of nervousness at answering questions in front of the Shahenshah himself. The candour adds a human touch to a man more often seen in headlines than on television sets.
The special episode airs on Monday, 29 December at 9.00 pm on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.
