Author: Neel Achary

Zee Tamil Launches ‘Vaagai Sooda Vaa’ to Bolster Prime-Time Lineup

Zee Tamil strengthens its Prime-Time lineup with Vaagai Sooda Vaa, a powerful narrative of resilience and relationships, premiering from 26th Jan 2026

Chennai,  Jan 23: Zee Tamil, a channel renowned for delivering popular and engaging content cherished by Tamil audiences worldwide, continues to set new benchmarks with its strong fiction lineup. Celebrated for its compelling storytelling, strong character arcs and relatable narratives, the channel is all set to launch its brand-new serial Vaagai Sooda Vaa. The show premieres on 26 January 2026 and will air Monday to Saturday at 9.30 PM, only on Zee Tamil & Z5 Tamil.

Set against the backdrop of a close-knit town in Madurai, Vaagai Sooda Vaa traces the journey of two sisters, Meenakshi (Pavithra) and Thenmozhi (played by Parveen), raised by their single mother, Sumathi (played by Gayathri). A staunch believer in the sanctity of marriage, Sumathi instils strong values in her daughters, unaware that life is poised to take unforeseen turns.

Meenakshi, sincere and strong-willed, dreams of giving her mother a comfortable life. However, when unexpected circumstances alter the course of her journey, her life becomes closely intertwined with Jeeva (played by Irfan), setting the tone for a compelling narrative. As the story unfolds, the sisters find their paths diverging in unexpected ways, drawing them into a household led by Annapoorani (played by Kuyili), where relationships are put to the test and unspoken tensions surface. At its core, Vaagai Sooda Vaa follows how Meenakshi and Thenmozhi navigate these challenges and stand their ground, keeping viewers invested in what lies ahead.

With an interesting premise and compelling storytelling, Vaagai Sooda Vaa is all set to be an exciting new addition to Zee Tamil’s prime-time slate.

Don’t miss the premiere of Vaagai Sooda Vaa from 26th January 2026, airing Monday to Saturday during 9.30PM, on Zee Tamil & Z5 Tamil!

Garima Jain Brings a Story of Dignity and Resilience to Life in Hungama OTT’s Hasratein 3

Hungama OTT, one of India’s leading digital entertainment platforms, returns with the much anticipated third season of its acclaimed anthology Hasratein 3, continuing its bold exploration of women, desire, and quiet rebellion. With the first two episodes premiering on 22nd January 2026, Season 3 brings six powerful stories of women navigating hidden longings, strained relationships, and the courage to reclaim their sense of self.

Episode two, Beauty Parlour, set in the narrow lanes of Lucknow, introduces Salma, played by Garima Jain, a resilient beautician balancing low wages, two children, and an emotionally absent husband. Behind her quiet resilience lies years of compromise, financial control, and stolen dreams. When Salma discovers her husband’s betrayal, her world cracks open, forcing her to confront harsh truths about love, marriage, and self-worth. With the quiet support of Suleiman, portrayed by Kunal Verma, who recognises her strength without taking advantage of it, Salma chooses dignity, independence, and the courage to start anew.

Speaking about her role, Garima shares, 

“This is a women empowerment story that shows that dreams can be achieved at any age and after any situation. Salma’s journey is about choosing herself and becoming successful despite everything she has been through. I have seen many real-life stories like this, and I truly want to portray strong characters that leave a meaningful message.”

She adds, 

“Working with Kunal was a wonderful experience. His approach to the character made the scenes feel honest and grounded, and it pushed me to give my best every day on set.”

Hasratein Season 3 promises yet another compelling chapter of quiet courage, rebellion, and self-discovery, with the first two episodes premiering on 22nd January, followed by new episodes on 27th January and 4th February, streaming on Hungama OTT and partner platforms.

The OG Gang Reunites as Amazon MX Player’s Campus Diaries Season 2 Starts Filming

MUMBAI, India, Jan 23: Amazon MX Player’s beloved youth series Campus Diaries has officially begun filming for its second season. Following its success with young audiences for its honest, slice-of-life depiction of college friendships and the journey of growing up, the show returns with the same warmth, humour, and emotional authenticity that defined Season 1. The season is produced by Prem Mistry and Abhishek Yadav (Yellow Montage) and directed by Abhishek Yadav.

Season 2 reunites the fan-favourite ensemble cast, including Harsh Beniwal as Sudheer, Ritvik Sahore as Abhilash, Srishti Ganguly Rindani as Sushmita, Saloni Gaur as Priyanka, Abhinav Sharma as Raghav, and Salonie Patel as Sanya. Known for its relatable storytelling, Campus Diaries continues to explore the nuances of friendships, emotions, and everyday campus life that have resonated with young viewers.

The new season will stream for free on Amazon MX Player, accessible through the MX Player app, Amazon Shopping app, Prime Video, Fire TV, Smart TVs, and Airtel Xstream.

Johnnie Walker Elevates Lollapalooza India 2026 with Craft, Flavour and Culture

Johnnie Walker Redefines the Festival Experience at Lollapalooza India 2026 with World-Class Craft, Flavour and Cultural Energy

Mumbai, Jan 23: Johnnie Walker Blonde Non-Alcoholic Lemonade is set to redefine the festival experience at Lollapalooza India 2026 through an extraordinary showcase of innovation, craftsmanship and culture. As one of India’s most anticipated cultural events, Lollapalooza offers an electric atmosphere that serves as the ultimate stage for Johnnie Walker’s premium mixology and its progressive ‘Keep Walking’ spirit. This year, Johnnie Walker has also come on board as the official partner for the Platinum Lounge – the festival’s most exclusive space for music lovers who seek elevated experiences.

At the heart of the Platinum Lounge experience, premium design, hospitality and creativity converge. The fully air-conditioned lounge offers unparalleled comfort and fanpit access across stages, combining the thrill of live music with sophisticated hospitality. A bespoke Whisky Experiments menu, led by Arnold Hou, Head Mixologist, Dali & Gala, Bengaluru, celebrating creativity and craftsmanship with serves inspired by distinct flavour directions – Spice, Coffee, Smoke and Sweet, each designed for a high-energy, all-day setting. We also have another unique experiential space on- ground -The Blonde Social Club. Festival-goers can personalize merchandise, play a game of pickleball and unwind while enjoying signature serves like the Blonde Bloom – a refreshing coffee-based cocktail and the Kokum Highball, an ode to Mumbai’s coastal zest. Exclusive slushies and flavor-led mixes will be available, promising a unique tasting journey for every guest. Completing the world-class experience, a premium bar experience is also being curated within the exclusive Red Stud Club, in collaboration with Bar Paradox, blending festival energy with refined craftsmanship.

Speaking on the association this year, Varun Koorichh, Vice President Marketing, Portfolio Head, Premium and Luxury, Diageo India said:

 “At Lollapalooza, the ‘Keep Walking’ spirit finds its most vibrant stage, allowing us to weave Johnnie Walker Blonde Non-Alcoholic lemonade’s craftsmanship into India’s most iconic musical moments. Our vision this year was to create a world-class experience that celebrates the craft, flavor, and progressive energy of the brand, while continuing to push boundaries across experience, innovation, and cultural relevance. From the artisanal serves at the Platinum Lounge to the interactive Blonde Social Club, every element is designed to feel both premium and participatory – an authentic reflection of how we continue to ‘Keep Walking’ at the forefront of culture.”

Extending its footprint beyond the festival grounds, Johnnie Walker Blonde Non-Alcoholic Lemonade partners with Uber, Zepto, MyGate, and Indē wild to create a holistic, lifestyle-led experience. This collaboration touches every moment of the consumer journey – from the first mile to the after-party.

With its world-class cocktails, visionary design and seamless brand storytelling, Johnnie Walker continues to push boundaries at Lollapalooza India 2026 – where every sip, serve and space is crafted to inspire progress and celebrate the spirit of Keep Walking.

EuroKids Celebrates Saraswati Puja across 300 Centres, Nurturing a Joyful Love for Learning in Early Childhood

Mumbai, Jan 23: EuroKids, India’s leading preschool chain, celebrated Saraswati Puja across 300 centres nationwide engaging 15000 students, marking the occasion with joyful activities designed to introduce young learners to India’s rich cultural heritage while fostering curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning.

Recognised as a festival that honours knowledge and wisdom, Saraswati Puja was celebrated at EuroKids as a cultural and educational experience. The celebrations were carefully curated to suit early learners, focusing on exploration, expression, and meaningful engagement with ideas that support holistic development.

The celebrations began with a simple Saraswati Puja, observed across centres to introduce children to the cultural significance of learning and knowledge. This was followed by thoughtfully planned learning-led activities. Children participated in storytelling, music and movement, art and craft, creative play, and interactive conversations that encouraged imagination, expression, and curiosity. These experiences helped children associate learning with joy, exploration, and confidence.

The celebrations also saw active participation from teachers and parents, creating a warm, inclusive environment that highlighted the importance of cultural awareness in a child’s formative years. By engaging families, EuroKids ensured that children experienced the occasion as a shared, joyful journey rooted in both tradition and modern pedagogy.

This approach reflects EuroKids’ strong alignment with its child-centric learning philosophy and the vision of NEP 2020, which emphasises holistic development, cultural rootedness, and experiential learning in the early years. Through such celebrations, EuroKids continues to integrate Indian traditions into everyday learning in ways that are meaningful, inclusive, and age appropriate.

Commenting on the occasion, KVS Seshasai, CEO, Pre-K Division, EuroKids (Lighthouse Learning), said,

 “Basant Panchami is a meaningful reminder that learning should begin early and with joy. At EuroKids, we believe the early years shape a child’s curiosity and love for learning. Celebrations like these allow us to connect cultural significance with early education in a way that helps parents understand why the right start matters so deeply.”

EuroKids’ brand ethos is rooted in creating safe, nurturing, and stimulating environments where children feel seen, heard, and valued. Powered by its Heureka Curriculum, based on Harvard’s Project Zero and aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the brand places curiosity at the heart of learning, encouraging children to explore, question, and discover, while continuing to emphasise holistic development through learning by play, emotional security, social skills, language development, independence, and school readiness.

With a legacy of nurturing over seven lakh children across 1,700+ preschools in more than 500 cities, EuroKids continues to lead the way in early childhood education. The brand remains steadfast in its mission to champion what truly matters in the early years, building not just sharper minds, but kinder hearts and resilient individuals who are prepared for school and for life.