MUMBAI: They say the stars in the universe change our lives. But when two of the biggest stars come together, they change a lot more!

Star India will be hoping for just that. Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan is making his debut on the small screen as a talk show host for Star India?s network channels in eight languages, signalling the broadest launch ever on Indian television.

Khan will anchor a show based on social issues that will simulcast on Star Plus, Star World, Star Jalsha, Star Pravah, Star Vijay, Star Utsav, Asianet and Suvarna. Produced by Aamir Khan Productions, the show will go on air early next year.

The name of the show that will simulcast in English, Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Bengali, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam is yet to be decided.

"Over the last few years, I have been approached for various TV shows, but the offers never excited me. However, this show will be a journey of discovery of change, of emotion and human story which touch and inspire our daily life," Aamir said.

Star India CEO Uday Shankar said that the show marks a big step and is audacious. "No Bollywood star has shown the ability to move the markets with experimentation as much as Aamir has done. Star India is doing a show with him to reinforce the same agenda of creativity and to come with something which is impactfull and engaging. It is a new show with the most successful film star. When you are the leader, there are responsibilities you have towards people. This drives me and the company each time we do something. There is social responsibility that comes with leadership. What we do defines how the industry is perceived. We change the agenda for how the TV industry behaves."

Khan said that the project had been in the pipeline for three to four years. "This began as a dream. Uday came to me to do television. There have been offers for gameshows which did not excite me. I like watching gameshows but to be a part of one everyday did not excite me. Television is a strong medium. Star has massive reach. Its stature and personality are right for this show. I wanted Uday to be involved with the show. What we are setting out to do is very ambitious. The idea is audacious and challenging. The show is about connecting with people, change, hopes and dreams. I told Uday that I wanted to use all his channels. I wanted it to be a pan India show."

Shankar said that the show is about real life situations and real life people. "It is not a fiction show. The show has been woven around Aamir. It will have the dramatic intensity of fiction with real life characters."

Indian television has attracted movie stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Preity Zinta, Hrithik Roshan, Juhi Chawla, Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan to act in different roles.

MUMBAI: Zoom has partnered with Safi to launch Safi Presents Zoom Anchor Hunt 2011.

The nationwide hunt is for a girl who has the look and oomph coupled with great personality, confidence and attitude poised to be the newest face on Zoom, the channel said. For the pan-India contest, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chandigarh and Pune would play host to the regional auditions.

Zoom CEO Avinash Kaul said, "Zoom is the true face of Bollywood bringing the latest news, gossip, entertainment shows, features and interviews to viewers across the world. The Safi Presents Zoom Anchor Hunt 2011 will help us find hidden talent from across India, confident and glamorous, who will help bring Bollywood closer to the viewers."

The winner of the anchor hunt will win an exclusive one-year contract with the channel, apart from becoming the Face of the Safi campaign for the next season.

"Zoom anchor hunt property fits very well with the brand promise. After all an anchor on TV has to look confident, speak confidence. And be confident," said Hamdard Safi GM marketing Tarundeep Singh Rana.

The channel has also roped in Radio City as the official radio partner for the show. In addition to being the exclusive radio partners, the FM brand will also extend domain expertise to the show.

"Radio City?s popular RJ Salil will dispense voice modulation lessons to the finalists of the show. It is such initiatives that reinforce our belief in forging deep-rooted and meaningful partnerships that result in greater synergies for both partners," said Radio City CEO Apurva Purohit.

The contest is open to girls who are 18-25 years of age. There are three phases to the event and contestants have to register online.

MUMBAI: In a bid to expand its footprint on-ground after its TV launch, UTV Stars has partnered with People Magazine for ?The Best Dressed Show 2011?.

The on-ground event will see an exclusive fashion show by designer Manish Malhotra. Walking the ramp as the showstopper will be Priyanka Chopra, who will also feature on the cover of the annual issue of People magazine, featuring the Best Dressed People of the year.

UTV Stars said that this association marks the beginning of a long term partnership with People for more such on ground initiatives.

The event is sponsored by Mercedes-Benz, World Gold Council, Teachers Origin, Schwarzkopf, Vero Moda and Jack&Jones.

UTV Stars, the Bollywood channel, will also show a special feature
based on the on-ground event.

UTV Stars business head Nikhil Gandhi said, ?UTV Stars has been able to etch a strong mark in the Bollywood, lifestyle and fashion space in a very short time. It has an urban upmarket appeal and we have already tied up with like minded partners to make the 360 degree experience more holistic and true to the brand. I am happy to announce
this association of UTV Stars with People magazine for the Best Dressed Show as our first such initiative among many others planned in the coming year."

Gandhi claims that UTV Stars, in its first month itself, has got rave reviews and good response from the viewers as well as the advertisers. "In four week itself, we have got over 50 per cent of our inventory sold," Gandhi added.

The channel now plans to extend its 360 degree presence with associations and on ground properties. The brand has already initiated advertiser funded properties and it will provide advertisers with customised solutions and ommunication packages on air, on ground, on mobile, web, and digital.