Akshay Kumar brings Wheel of Fortune to India for big-bang TV launch

Get ready to spin, shout and solve! Indian TV is about to get its most glamorous game-show moment yet as Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) announces the arrival of the iconic global franchise Wheel of Fortune , headed by none other than Bollywood’s action-hero turned entertainer Akshay Kumar. The announcement has sent pulses racing across entertainment circles and TV audiences alike, promising a festive 2026 treat for families everywhere.

After decades of success in the US and around the world, where Wheel of Fortune has been declared the most-watched entertainment show on American television, cited by Guinness World Records as the world’s most popular TV game show and honoured with the Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show - the format will now get a vibrant Indian makeover . A “desi reboot,” as industry insiders call it, the show will preserve its heart-pounding wheel spins, clever word puzzles and big stakes, while infusing fresh Indian zest with Hindi and regional language clues, cultural nods and even celebrity special episodes.

Akshay Kumar, who commands box-office charisma and mass appeal from Mumbai to small towns, said he’s thrilled to bring this perennial favourite to Indian living rooms. With his trademark energy, humour and warmth, he promises to make the show fun, fast-paced and relatable for families watching together. The star’s inclusion is part of Sony’s strategy to anchor Wheel of Fortune as one of the biggest entertainment launches of the year, blending traditional TV drama with digital engagement through Sony LIV’s interactive “Play Along” feature.

Behind the scenes, Sony is leaving no stone unturned. Production is expected to kick off in January 2026, with an extravagant set featuring a larger-than-life spinning wheel, dazzling lights and immersive sound design that captures the spectacle of the original global version. The format, licensed from Highgate Entertainment, LLC, will be produced locally by Frames Production Company. Prizes, sponsor tie-ins and festive specials are already being whispered about in industry circles, hinting at a show designed not just to entertain but to elevate Indian game-show broadcasting.

Media analysts say the launch of Wheel of Fortune India fits into a broader trend of reality and non-fiction programming gaining fresh momentum, as broadcasters and streamers alike chase formats that blend scale with strong audience engagement and monetisation potential. Sony’s bet is that this upbeat format, combined with Akshay’s star power and a dual platform strategy across television and OTT, could become a cultural fixture much like Kaun Banega Crorepati did under Amitabh Bachchan years ago.

While the official premiere date and details about contestants are still under wraps, anticipation is already building among viewers eager to see their favourite Bollywood star cheer on everyday people as they spin the wheel for fame, fun and fabulous rewards, making Wheel of Fortune India one of the most anticipated television events of 2026.

If you’re a puzzle lover, a fan of high-stakes drama or just in for feel-good entertainment, Wheel of Fortune India looks poised to bring joy, suspense and Bollywood spark to living rooms nationwide.