From Farooque Shaikh, Anurag Kashyap, Sonali Kulkarni, Jayant Kripalani and Cyrus Sahukar to Kitu Gidwani, celebrities from the film and TV world have been roped in as faces of the channel with shows like Speak Up Mumbai, Rags To Riches, Budget Guru, Golden Age, Velvet, Roots and Machinist, to name a few. Anurag, who is hosting Rags To Riches, was initially reluctant to be a part of the show but when he read the concept he was on. “It’s a simple show. I meet people who have come to Mumbai with a dream, courage and a plan. I identify with it, which is why it is easy for me to get them to tell their stories,” says the director, who has in the past turned down offers to judge big-ticket reality shows.

Jayant Kripalani, who is back on TV after a long gap, is hosting Roots that talks about “things we take for granted, basic human values and the essence of Mumbai city”. Kitu Gidwani hosts Golden Age, a show that aims to help senior citizens. “I always wanted to work with old people and this is a great opportunity. I think Mumbai is a difficult city to live, even for the youngsters, for older people it’s doubly so. Families are breaking up and old people are feeling left out. I will be meeting counsellors and experts, who will give them hope, encouragement and security,” smiles Kitu.

For Cyrus Sahukar, who gives budget gyan in Budget Guru, it is a chance to find interesting ways of investing money. Says Cyrus, “This must be the only show that will have people who will share information on how they have invested and in what. I have a real-estate dealer, a doctor, and a 70 year-old retired man who talk about investments.”