MAM
Bidaai gets grand farewell from viewers
MUMBAI: The last episode of Star Plus’ popular fiction show – Sapna babul Ka … Bidaai has got a grand bidaai (farewell) from its viewers.
The two-hour “maha episode” on 13 November notched up a TVR of 6.06, making it the second highest rated show of the week and adding 24 GRPs (gross rating points) to the channel.
Produced by Rajan Shahi’s Directors Kut Productions and launched on 8 October 2007, the show achieved many milestones during its over three-year run. It remained among the top 10 shows of the Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs), week after week.
A story of two sisters, Sadhana and Ragini, the show shored up the ratings of Star Plus at the 9 pm slot. It replaced Meri Awaaz Ko Mil Gayi Roshni, which scored a 2.9 TVR in its closing week. With its launch rating of 4.6 TVR, Bidaai pepped up the slot for Star Plus.
In December 2007, one of the protagonists, Ragini (Parul Chauhan), broke her marriage (her in-laws rejected her at the mandap because she was dark complexioned in comparison to her sister). The high drama resulted in upping the ratings to 5.4 TVR.
In March 2008, Bidaai reached a new high when Sadhana (Sara Khan) and Alekh (Angad Hasija) got married on the show. The episode touched a 6 TVR.
In October 2008, the show climbed higher with the Taj Mahotsav event. Attracting Hema Malini‘s participation along with her daughters, the episode rated 8.8 TVR, the highest rating for a show on Hindi GEC in over 500 days during that time.
In January 2009, the ratings further jumped with Ragini Ranveer‘s wedding fetching a rating of 9.6 TVR.
The show launched careers of Parul Chauhan, Kinshuk Mahajan, Sara Khan, Angad Hasija and Ashita Dhawan. Bidaai also marked a comeback for Alok Nath and Vibha Chibber.
MAM
Lego brings Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappé, Vinicius together
Campaign clocks 314 million views ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 buzz.
MUMBAI: Four legends, one frame and not a single tackle in sight. Lego has pulled off a crossover few thought possible, uniting Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior in a single campaign ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 only this time, they’re building dreams brick by brick.
Titled “Everyone wants a piece”, the campaign features the quartet assembling a Lego version of the World Cup trophy, before placing miniature versions of themselves atop it, a playful nod to football’s ultimate prize. Shared widely across social media, the ad carries a pointed disclaimer: it is not AI-generated, a subtle but telling signal in an era where even reality is often questioned.
The numbers tell their own story. The campaign has already crossed 314 million views on Instagram across the players’ accounts, with fans hailing it as a rare, almost nostalgic moment particularly for the reunion of Messi and Ronaldo, whose last shared campaign ahead of the 2022 World Cup became one of the platform’s most-liked posts.
Beyond the film, Lego is extending the play with exclusive, player-themed sets tied to each of the four stars, part of a broader football-led programme designed to ride the global momentum building towards 2026. The idea, as echoed by the players themselves, leans into the parallels between football and play experimentation, creativity, failure, and triumph.
Messi described the sets as a way to bring on-pitch moments into an imaginative, hands-on world, while Ronaldo called the transformation into a Lego figure a rare honour, blending sport with storytelling. Vinícius, meanwhile, struck a more personal note, recalling childhood moments of building with Lego and framing creativity as a universal language that transcends borders.
The timing is no accident. With the 2026 World Cup set to run from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada and Mexico, and featuring an expanded 48-team format, global anticipation is already building. Argentina, led by Messi, will enter as defending champions, adding another layer of intrigue.
For Lego, the campaign does more than celebrate football, it taps into its mythology. Because when icons become figurines and rivalries turn into play, the beautiful game finds a new kind of pitch. one built, quite literally, by hand.
