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Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 10: Sony Pictures has unveiled an expansive festive-season content slate featuring a mix of popular franchises, new entertainment formats, regional programming, sports and major celebrity appearances. The upcoming line-up is designed to strengthen the network’s television and digital offerings while reaching audiences across different languages and platforms.
The latest Sony Pictures festive slate brings several high-profile names to television and streaming. Cricket icon Rohit Sharma is set to make his entertainment debut with his own show, while Bollywood star Ajay Devgn will take on a new role as the host of Crime Patrol 2026.
According to a press note issued by Sony Network, the festive strategy combines premium intellectual properties, globally successful formats adapted for Indian audiences, original homegrown concepts and programming designed for viewers across television and digital platforms.
Sony Pictures Expands Its Entertainment Offering
The new Sony Pictures content strategy is being brought together digitally through Sony LIV’s refreshed brand positioning, ‘It All LIVs Here’. The positioning highlights Sony LIV as the digital destination for the entertainment and sports offerings of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI).
The festive season will feature programming across Hindi, Marathi and Tamil audiences, reflecting the network’s broader focus on creating content that connects with viewers regardless of language or screen preference.
One of the biggest highlights of the Sony Pictures festive line-up is Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18. The popular quiz show premieres on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV, continuing its long-running legacy of knowledge, aspiration and life-changing stories.
The new season comes with the campaign thought ‘Sochna Padega’, adding a fresh promotional identity to one of India’s most recognised television franchises.
Rohit Sharma Makes Entertainment Debut
Cricket fans will have another reason to tune into the Sony Pictures network as Rohit Sharma makes his entertainment debut with a new show.
The appearance marks a new chapter for the Indian cricket star, who has built a massive following through his career on the international cricket stage. His transition into entertainment is expected to attract both sports fans and general television audiences.
The decision to bring Rohit Sharma into the entertainment portfolio is part of the network’s strategy of combining marquee personalities with new formats. His presence could also help the platform connect sports audiences with its wider entertainment ecosystem.
Ajay Devgn to Host Crime Patrol 2026
Another major highlight of the Sony Pictures festive season is Ajay Devgn’s hosting debut.
The actor will host Crime Patrol 2026, a true-crime series that will present extraordinary real-life cases through the show’s established storytelling format.
Ajay Devgn’s association with the series is expected to bring a new dimension to the programme. Known for his work across action, drama and thriller films, the actor will now take on the role of a television host in a format centred on real-life crime stories.
The new series is among the prominent Hindi entertainment properties being introduced as part of the Sony Pictures content expansion.
Indian Game Show Adds Comedy and Entertainment
The festive programming will also feature Indian Game Show, hosted by popular television personalities Bharti Singh and Harssh Limbachiyaa.
The show will bring celebrities together for entertaining challenges, adding comedy, competition and high-energy moments to the network’s programming slate.
With established television personalities at the helm, the format is expected to provide lighter entertainment alongside the network’s drama, reality and factual programming.
Scam 2010 Brings Hansal Mehta’s Vision
The Sony Pictures digital portfolio will also feature Scam 2010, a collaboration involving Sony LIV, Birla Studios and Applause Entertainment.
Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Hansal Mehta, the series will chronicle the rise and fall of a massive financial empire.
Following the popularity of financial and real-life stories in India’s streaming landscape, the project is positioned as another major addition to Sony LIV’s premium original content catalogue.
Hansal Mehta’s involvement further adds credibility to the project, particularly given his experience in presenting complex real-world stories through dramatic storytelling.
Madhuri Dixit Leads Marathi Programming
The Sony Pictures festive slate also places considerable emphasis on regional audiences.
Padma Shri awardee Madhuri Dixit will host Kon Honar Crorepati, the Marathi adaptation of the iconic KBC format. Her association with the show is expected to give the Marathi edition a distinctive identity while connecting the established quiz-show format with regional viewers.
The network’s regional expansion demonstrates its efforts to create programming that appeals to audiences beyond Hindi-speaking markets.
Sony LIV Expands Tamil Content
Tamil audiences will also receive an extensive selection of new programming through Sony LIV.
The line-up includes MasterChef Tamil, featuring Samantha Ruth Prabhu, along with Tamil Idol, the first Tamil adaptation of the globally successful singing competition format.
Music maestro AR Rahman will lead the search for Tamil Nadu’s next outstanding singing talent on Tamil Idol. His involvement is expected to make the programme a major attraction for music lovers and Tamil television audiences.
The inclusion of these programmes strengthens the Sony Pictures regional strategy and highlights the company’s intention to build content around local audiences while adapting internationally recognised formats.
Wider Strategy Across Television and Digital
Gaurav Banerjee, Managing Director and CEO of Sony Pictures Networks India, said India’s entertainment landscape is increasingly shaped by audiences who move between languages, genres and screens.
He said the network’s focus is on developing compelling intellectual properties and stories that can connect with audiences regardless of where or how they choose to watch.
The Sony Pictures festive slate reflects this strategy by combining established franchises with new formats, major talent, regional programming and live sports.
The company is also looking to create greater synergy between its television network and Sony LIV, allowing audiences to access entertainment through multiple platforms.
A Diverse Festive Line-Up
The latest Sony Pictures announcement demonstrates the scale and diversity of its upcoming programming. From Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18 to Rohit Sharma’s entertainment debut, Ajay Devgn’s Crime Patrol 2026, Indian Game Show and Scam 2010, the Hindi portfolio covers multiple genres.
At the same time, Kon Honar Crorepati, MasterChef Tamil and Tamil Idol expand the company’s regional footprint.
The combination of established franchises, celebrity-led programmes, original stories and adapted international formats could make the festive season particularly important for the network.
With audiences increasingly consuming content across television, streaming platforms and multiple languages, Sony Pictures is positioning its latest slate around flexibility, variety and wider accessibility.
The upcoming programming also underlines the growing importance of digital platforms in India’s entertainment ecosystem. Through Sony LIV’s ‘It All LIVs Here’ positioning, the company aims to bring its entertainment and sports portfolio together in one digital destination.
As the festive season approaches, the Sony Pictures line-up is set to offer viewers a broad selection of quiz shows, reality programming, true crime, original series, regional entertainment and music formats. The presence of stars such as Rohit Sharma, Ajay Devgn, Madhuri Dixit and Samantha Ruth Prabhu further adds to the anticipation surrounding the new season.
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