Singapore: Mediacorp to mark festival of lights with countdown show Amarkala Deepavali, movies and more

Mediacorp will celebrate Diwali this year with its annual countdown show Amarkala Deepavali! In addition to it, it has also curated festive shows and blockbuster films, to make the festival of lights more enjoyable for people.

Diwali lamps
Representational image. AI generated image courtesy: Pixabay/u_r82prshjj6

The Amarkala Deepavali 2024 show, which will take place on 30 October, will air from 10.00pm to 12.30am, live across Mediacorp platforms.

Hosted at The Theatre at Mediacorp, Amarkala Deepavali promises a vibrant celebration led by the dynamic trio of hosts — Jaynesh Isuran, Udaya Soundari, and Preihan — who will bring to life a heartwarming family navigating the festive joys, in line with this year’s theme: “Family”.

Adding to the excitement, hosts Thavanesan and Malene will provide live updates from the bustling streets of Little India, capturing the essence of the celebrations. This year, audiences can also catch the special reimagining of the iconic Amarkala Deepavali opening title track, created by musician Shabir and sung by multi-hyphenated artiste Udaya, alongside vocalists Pavithra Nair, Navein, and Guna.

To uplift the festive spirit, the evening will offer a line-up of musical and dance performances. Highlights include Vasantham Star 2023 winner Navein, alongside finalists Yacob, Sindhu, and Prajeeth, as well as Yaar Antha Star 2024 alumni Soorya, Swathy, and Resshma.

Joining them are veteran artistes Rahman, Vicknesvari Vadivalagan, Suriamurthi, and Erfanulla, whose vocals will resonate throughout the night. Local troupes, including Rameshwara, Freaky Fresh, Gayathri Dance Academy, and Mera Naam Jokers, will also entertain the audience with their dance performances.

In celebration of family this Deepavali, the show will also feature an original composition by Shabir, showcasing performances by family pairs, including father and son duo Rahman and Jalil, and couple Mark Sara and Annetha Ayyavoo. Additionally, as a special treat, the show will present this year’s Deepavali song, “Vanthuruchu Deepavali,” composed by Suthasini and performed by Vishnu Balaji, Soorya, and Darshna. Amarkala Deepavali will be available live from 10.00pm to 12.30am on mewatch, Mediacorp Entertainment on YouTube and Vasantham.

The celebration will continue beyond the live show, with a packed lineup of blockbuster films and heartwarming specials, including:

Andhagan, a Tamil-language thriller film about a pianist, pretending to be blind, who becomes unintentionally caught in a dangerous situation after witnessing the murder of a former film actor.

Guntur Kaaram, a Telugu-language action film about a man seeking answers when his estranged mother, now a political candidate, asks him to sign a document denying he is her son — years after abandoning him and remarrying.

Tarla, a Hindi-language biopic film following the journey of India’s celebrated home chef, Tarla Dalal, capturing her pivotal role in empowering women and helping them realise their dreams through cooking.

Maharaja, a Tamil-language thriller film of a barber seeking vengeance after his home is burglarised, and cryptically informs the police that his “Lakshmi” has been taken, leaving them to decipher whether it refers to a person or an object.

One highlight is a special Deepavali episode of Super Samayal, in which host Malene will embark on a culinary adventure to uncover the secrets behind beloved festive dishes and add a fresh twist to traditional Indian meals with insights from esteemed chefs and food bloggers. Food enthusiasts can also enjoy the exhilarating second season of Raja Kaiya Vecha, which will see home cooks face off against renowned chefs in a thrilling cook-off for their coveted knives.

Aligned with this year’s family theme, the heartwarming telemovie Andhadhi, a book-to-screen adaptation of The Lights That Find Us by local author Anittha Thanabalan, will showcase a touching narrative that follows protagonist Shreya as she grapples with her emotions surrounding her brother Dhiren’s departure from home on this festive day three years ago.

Additionally, the lively debate show Dindugal Leoni Deepavali Pattimandram will feature the iconic anchor Dindugal Leoni in engaging discussions with Singaporeans. Families can also catch the debut of the new kids’ variety show Enna Nadakkuthu Junior, which promises fun and entertainment for all.