Reality
‘Bachke Rehnaa’ looks promising enough to revive a flagging genre
Sony‘s latest game show has the juice to keep viewers hooked to the telly for a substantial time period. On Monday at 8 pm SET premiered the weekly Bachke Rehnaa the Indian adaptation of Russian Roulette.
The half-hour show started with each of the four participants being introduced in a circle. This was a celebrity special featuring heroines from popular SET programmes: Simone Singh from Heena, Tasneem from Kkusum, Pooja Ghai from Par is dil ko kaise Samjhaye and Aparna from Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka.
The show scores points with its snappy and straight to the point style. No lengthy intros, no time wasting tete-a-tete. The host Mohnish Behl has a comfortable rapport not just with the participants but also with the audience. His smooth flow of dialogue delivery which enabled him to gel nicely with the participants was a welcome change from the cavalier style of Sony‘s earlier Jeeto Chappar Phaad Ke (JCPK) and the irritating mumbling, stuttering, stop and start goings on that took place on the Zee flop show Sawaal Dus Crore Ka.
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The topics ranged from music to mythology. The level of difficulty went up in that with each round the number of choices available. increased. After the end of the first round the person with the most amount of money pulls the lever and any of the other three participants disappeared. The procedure continues till just one person is remaining who takes home the prize money collected.
Another innovation is that unlike the game shows mentioned earlier there are no helplines like 50-50, phone a friend or ask the audience in Bachke Rehnaa. This heightens the tension and pulse rate with just ten seconds to give the response. There is no respite if one gets cornered. Also the red chaser light which determines who goes out of the game moves to a sound resembling the ticking of an old alarm clock. In addition in the third round with just two participants remaining one has the option of answering the question oneself or passing on the buck so to speak.
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In the fourth round the winner Aparna was asked five questions within a minute without any options. A wrong answer meant automatic elimination. She surprisingly did not know that the pair of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi reached all four tennis Grand Slams in 1999.
To conclude Bachke Rehnaa is worth checking out for those tired of the rigmarole of soaps and looking for quick rushes of excitement.
Reality
SPNI honours distribution partners with special Wheel of Fortune episode
Trade partners step into spotlight as contestants in unique TV tribute
MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India has rolled out a special episode of Wheel of Fortune dedicated to its distribution partners, turning the spotlight on the very network that keeps its channels running across millions of homes.
The episode, part of the show’s debut season in India, saw trade and distribution partners invited to the set not just as spectators but as participants. Some even stepped up as contestants, swapping control rooms for the studio floor in a rare behind-the-scenes experience.
Hosted by Akshay Kumar, the show offered partners a first-hand look at the scale and mechanics of a large-format television production. The actor also acknowledged their often unseen role in ensuring content reaches audiences nationwide.
This marks the first time in India that a broadcaster has dedicated an entire non-fiction television episode to its trade fraternity, highlighting the importance of collaboration in the broadcasting ecosystem.
Speaking about the initiative, Sony Pictures Networks India head linear distribution Makarand Palekar said, “Distribution has always been a critical pillar in SPNI’s growth story. Our partners are not just enablers of reach, but key collaborators in building the television ecosystem. This initiative was our way of celebrating the business together in a unique way, acknowledging the trust and long-standing relationships that power our network.”
Industry partners echoed the sentiment. GTPL managing director Anirudhsinh Jadeja noted that such initiatives make partners feel genuinely included, while GTPL chief business officer Paramveer Jadeja highlighted the scale and attention to detail behind the production.
Adding to the chorus, ICNCL partner Suresh Sethiya described the experience as memorable, offering a deeper appreciation of the craft behind television content. Fastway director Sarabjit Singh said the initiative underlined the importance of strong industry relationships.
The move aligns with SPNI’s broader focus on non-fiction programming, with a portfolio that includes popular titles such as Indian Idol, Kaun Banega Crorepati, MasterChef India and Shark Tank India.
By turning the camera towards its own ecosystem, SPNI has served up a simple reminder that behind every successful show is a network of partners who help bring the picture home.
