Sony Entertainment Television is all set to bring the iconic global reality game show Wheel of Fortune to Indian television and OTT platforms. If the reports are to be believed, Bollywood superstar Akshay
Kumar will take on the hosting duty of the Indian adaptation.
The network has reportedly acquired the Indian format rights of Wheel of Fortune, one of the longest-running and most successful game shows worldwide, marking one of Sony’s biggest non-fiction acquisitions in recent years.
The Indian version is expected to be mounted on a grand scale with high production values, big-ticket prizes and mass appeal. The show is slated to go on floors by mid-January.
Sony TV Wanted A Pan-India Superstar
Insiders suggest that Sony was keen on a pan-India superstar who connects equally with metro audiences and viewers in smaller towns. Akshay Kumar reportedly emerged as the top choice, given his wide appeal, quick wit and approachable on-screen persona.
This will mark the actor’s return to mainstream television hosting after earlier successful stints, with the channel banking on his humour and easy rapport with contestants.
“A show like Wheel of Fortune needs a host who feels approachable, warm and energetic. Akshay ticks all the boxes,” says a source close to the production.
Is Wheel of Fortune And Kaun Banega Crorepati Similar?
Sony’s move is being seen as a strategic attempt to recreate the success of knowledge-driven, family-friendly entertainment that Indian audiences have embraced for decades through shows like Amitabh Bachchan’s Kaun Banega Crorepati.
While KBC is rooted in knowledge and life-changing jackpots, Wheel of Fortune offers a faster, more playful format built around word puzzles, luck, strategy and instant rewards.
What We Know About Wheel Of Fortune
First launched in the US in the 1970s, Wheel of Fortune has been adapted in over 60 countries and remains one of the most recognisable TV formats globally. Sony plans to retain the core structure of the show while infusing it with Indian elements, including Hindi and regional phrases, cultural references and celebrity specials.
The Indian edition is expected to feature a visually spectacular set with a larger-than-life spinning wheel, vibrant lighting and immersive sound design. Prize money, sponsor tie-ins and festive episodes are also likely to be key attractions. Like other successful Indian game shows, Wheel of Fortune India will focus on everyday Indians and their stories, keeping an emotional connection at its core.
The show is expected to air on Sony TV with simultaneous streaming on SonyLIV. Wheel of Fortune India will likely secure a permanent slot in the network’s 2026 programming lineup.
