Reality
Akshay Kumar’s fragrant face-off on Wheel of Fortune
Perfumer contestant’s sweet answer sparks laughter and lighthearted banter
MUMBAI: A simple question about someone’s day job turned into a scent-sational moment on Wheel of Fortune, when host Akshay Kumar found himself at the centre of an unexpectedly aromatic exchange.
While chatting with contestant Nikita, Akshay learned that she works as a professional perfumer, crafting fragrances and studying scents for a living. Intrigued, he decided to test her nose on the spot. Stepping closer, he asked if she could identify the perfume he was wearing.
As Nikita leaned in, the studio briefly shifted from quiz show to fan moment, the kind that blends admiration with a dash of nerves. After a thoughtful pause, she delivered her verdict: the fragrance smelt like “pyaar” or love.
The answer drew instant laughter. Akshay quipped that he was relieved she said “pyaar” and not “pyaaz”, turning the air sweet with humour rather than onions.
He then shared a personal anecdote about a family trip to Morocco, where they learnt how perfumes are made. According to him, the art of blending fragrances is far more intricate than most people imagine, layered, delicate and surprisingly complex.
What began as casual conversation became one of those unscripted television gems, where expertise met wit and a whiff of curiosity created pure entertainment. It was a reminder that sometimes the most memorable moments are sparked by everyday passions.
Catch Wheel of Fortune from Monday to Friday at 9 pm on Sony Entertainment Television, and stream it on Sony LIV.
Reality
Jio bets big on gaming with global reality show push
Good Game India promises Rs 1 crore prize and a hunt for the country’s first gaming superstar
MUMBAI: India’s gaming gold rush just got flashier. Reliance Jio has teamed up with Good Game Group to launch Good Game India, billed as the world’s first as-live global gaming reality show, set to go live in July 2026.
The ambition is sweeping. The show aims to tap into over 500 million young viewers, streaming across platforms including JioHotstar, JioTV and JioGames’ own ecosystem.
Backing the spectacle is a high-profile jury. Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu, cricketer Rishabh Pant and gaming creator Ujjwal Chaurasia will front the show as brand ambassadors and judges, lending mainstream heft to an industry hungry for crossover appeal.
At stake is Rs 1 crore, one of the richest purses in India’s reality-show circuit, alongside a shot at global representation. But this is no ordinary gaming contest. Contestants will be judged not just on skill, but on creativity, content chops and their ability to build communities, a nod to the creator economy reshaping digital entertainment.
The format blends esports-style challenges with in-real-life tasks, layered with fan voting, live interactions and always-on social storytelling. The pitch is clear: gaming is no longer just play, it is performance, influence and commerce rolled into one.
With early traction already building online, Jio’s gamble signals a larger shift. As screens multiply and attention fragments, the battle is no longer for viewers alone, but for creators who can command them. In that race, gaming may well be India’s next big stage.
