Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has announced a stacked festive-season content slate featuring some of the biggest names from cricket and Bollywood. Cricketer Rohit Sharma is set to make his television debut with his own show, Ajay Devgn will take over as the new host of Crime Patrol 2026, and Madhuri Dixit will host the Marathi edition of Kaun Banega Crorepati.
The announcements were made on August 10, 2026, as part of Sony’s expansive content lineup spanning Hindi, Marathi, and Tamil programming, along with a packed sports calendar.
Rohit Sharma Makes His Television Debut
Cricket captain Rohit Sharma is stepping into the entertainment space for the first time. The cricketer, who recently bid goodbye to T20 and Test cricket, will anchor his own show on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.
While full details about the show remain under wraps, Sony Pictures Networks India CEO Gaurav Banerjee confirmed that Rohit will start anchoring and presenting his show in September 2026.
A teaser released by Sony Pictures Networks earlier had already hinted at Rohit’s entertainment debut. The over-one-minute-forty-second teaser shows Rohit interacting with fans who urge him to repeat his now-iconic dialogue, “Koi bhi garden mein nahi ghumega” (No one will roam in the garden). The constant requests leave the cricketer frustrated, eventually prompting him to walk away in exasperation.
This marks a significant move for the cricket superstar as he transitions from the field to the small screen.
Ajay Devgn Takes Over as Crime Patrol Host
Bollywood superstar Ajay Devgn will make his television hosting debut with Crime Patrol 2026, replacing long-time host Anup Soni.
The new season, titled Crime Patrol 2026 – Crime Ka Current Season, is set to premiere on August 31, 2026, at 10:30 pm on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.
Devgn has already shot 15 episodes for the upcoming season. According to sources, whether he continues hosting the rest of the series will depend on audience response and TRP numbers.
In the first promo, Devgn addresses the crime situation in the country, pointing out that in many cases, the person behind a crime is someone known to the victim. He ends the promo with the line, “Main rahunga aapke saath” (I will be with you).
“Coming together with a show like Crime Patrol feels like a responsibility to my fans and viewers. The show has built a legacy of understanding crime stories while driving awareness among viewers,” Ajay Devgn said.
Actor Rajesh Tailang will also host additional episodes of the season. Devgn, known for his police and law enforcement roles in films like Gangaajal, Singham, and Drishyam, brings years of experience playing characters connected to crime and investigation.
Madhuri Dixit to Host Marathi KBC
Bollywood icon Madhuri Dixit will host Kon Honar Crorepati, the Marathi edition of the Kaun Banega Crorepati franchise. This marks her return to television hosting after 24 years.
“I am truly honoured to be part of a show that inspires people through the power of knowledge and determination. For me, Kon Honar Crorepati is much more than a quiz show. It celebrates curiosity, aspiration, hope and the courage to dream,” Madhuri Dixit said.
The show comes with the theme ‘Aata Khel Badalnar’ (Now the game will change), signalling a new chapter for the popular quiz format. Madhuri’s first promo as host will be unveiled during the Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18 premiere on August 10.
Madhuri previously hosted Kahin Na Kahin Koi Hai on Sony Entertainment Television in 2002, a reality show centred around arranged marriages. She later became a familiar face on reality television as a judge on dance shows like Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and Dance Deewane.
Kon Honar Crorepati has previously been hosted by Sachin Khedekar, Swapnil Joshi, and filmmaker Nagraj Manjule. Madhuri now takes over the hot seat, bringing her own personality to the format.
Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18 Premieres
Headlining Sony’s festive slate is Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18, which premiered on August 10 on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV. Hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, the new season returns with the campaign thought ‘Sochna Padega’ (You will have to think).
This season is the franchise’s first to be crafted with artificial intelligence, shifting the show’s focus from trivia recall toward reasoning under pressure.
Other Additions to Sony’s Content Slate
Sony’s expansive festive lineup also includes:
- Indian Game Show: A comedy and high-energy entertainment show hosted by popular television couple Bharti Singh and Harssh Limbachiyaa, bringing celebrities together for entertaining challenges
- Scam 2010: A Sony LIV, Birla Studios, and Applause Entertainment series directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Hansal Mehta, chronicling the rise and fall of a massive financial empire
- MasterChef Tamil: A Tamil cooking reality show featuring Samantha Ruth Prabhu
- Tamil Idol: The first Tamil adaptation of the globally acclaimed singing competition format, with Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman leading the search for Tamil Nadu’s next singing talent
Sony Sports Network’s Festival of Sports
Complementing the entertainment offerings, Sony Sports Network will feature its Festival of Sports, running from August 15 to December 1, 2026. The lineup includes India’s tour of Sri Lanka, the Women’s T20 Asia Cup, the Asian Games, and India’s all-format tour of New Zealand.
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Sony’s Vision for the Festive Season
Commenting on the slate, Gaurav Banerjee, Managing Director and CEO of Sony Pictures Networks India, said:
“India’s entertainment landscape is increasingly being shaped by audiences who move freely across languages, genres and screens. Our focus is therefore on building compelling intellectual properties and stories that can connect with audiences wherever and however they choose to watch. This festive slate brings that approach to life. It combines some of our most enduring franchises with new formats, marquee talent, a growing regional portfolio and an exceptional calendar of live sport”.
The slate reflects Sony’s strategy of building a content-first, platform-agnostic, and multilingual entertainment business, with Sony LIV positioned as the digital home of SPNI’s entertainment and sports offerings under the new brand positioning ‘It All LIVs Here’.
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