August 11, 2026

Ajay Devgn Takes Over Crime Patrol: Premiere Date and Anup Soni’s Exit Explained

Last Updated: 11 August 2026, 05:19 PM IST | Fact Checked By: SpotlightersPost Editorial Team It is finally official: Ajay Devgn has been revealed as the Ajay Devgn Crime Patrol New Host. The star is preparing for his first-ever TV hosting role, launching on August 31, 2026, for the much awaited Crime Patrol 2026 New... Read More

Last Updated: 11 August 2026, 05:19 PM IST | Fact Checked By: SpotlightersPost Editorial Team

It is finally official: Ajay Devgn has been revealed as the Ajay Devgn Crime Patrol New Host. The star is preparing for his first-ever TV hosting role, launching on August 31, 2026, for the much awaited Crime Patrol 2026 New Season. The show, now called Crime Patrol 2026: Crime Ka Current Season, announced its new look when Devgn posted the teaser on his own Instagram. By taking this role, he joins a group of other major Bollywood stars, such as Amitabh Bachchan on Kaun Banega Crorepati and Salman Khan on Bigg Boss, who have all successfully moved into television work with the Ajay Devgn Crime Patrol New Host announcement.

According to reports by The Times of India, the Singham star has already filmed an initial block of 15 episodes in Mumbai. While Devgn’s casting brings a high-profile, cinematic presence to the veteran franchise, his continued tenure as host beyond this initial run will depend entirely on viewer ratings and TRP reception as the Ajay Devgn Crime Patrol New Host.

Ajay Devgn brings the ‘Singham’ effect to Crime Patrol. His cinematic legacy as an uncompromising, morally driven officer in films like Drishyam and Gangaajal makes him the perfect choice to anchor the show with cinematic weight as the Ajay Devgn Crime Patrol New Host.

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Moving Beyond the Host’s Chair: Anup Soni’s Candid Explanation for Quitting Crime Patrol

For almost a decade, Anup Soni was the trusted voice of Crime Patrol for millions of viewers. He began hosting the show in 2010, took a 15-month break starting in late 2017 to pursue acting in films, and eventually made his return in July 2019.

If you are wondering why Anup Soni Quits Crime Patrol, it’s simply because after hosting for nine years and filming more than 1,600 episodes, he felt it was the right time to move on and step down as the show’s host, paving the way for the Ajay Devgn Crime Patrol New Host.

In a series of candid interviews, Soni explained that his departure was a deliberate, “selfish call” as an actor, driven by a deep professional restlessness to escape stagnation, Soni chose to redirect his focus entirely toward feature films, short features, and digital web series, such as his role in the acclaimed OTT drama The Test Case.

The Culprit You Know: Rajesh Tailang Steps In for a New Era of Crime Patrol

The new season of Crime Patrol is changing how it tells stories. Instead of focusing mostly on dangerous strangers, the show will now look at crimes committed by people we actually know, like friends or family. In the new trailer, Ajay Devgn warns viewers that modern dangers are often hiding right inside our own social circles, which is the main theme of this Crime Ka Current Season.

“But in many cases today, the culprit is someone you know,” Devgn points out in the promo. “They know your address, have your keys, and even have a seat at your dining table.”

To manage the demanding hosting schedule of this revamped format, the makers have also roped in seasoned actor Rajesh Tailang. Renowned for his grounded, realistic performances in intense crime-dramas like Delhi Crime and his role as Ramakant Pandit in the massive Mirzapur franchise, Tailang is scheduled to host additional episodes this season alongside the Ajay Devgn Crime Patrol New Host. In line with the show’s experimental approach, the final count of episodes hosted by Tailang will similarly depend on how viewers react to Devgn’s initial run.

“It All LIVs Here”: How Devgn Anchors Sony’s Aggressive Festive Portfolio Refresh

Devgn’s television debut serves as a primary pillar of an ambitious festive season content slate unveiled by Sony Pictures Networks India. Repositioned under the unified digital and television tagline of the Sony LIV Festive Slate, “It All LIVs Here,” the network’s cross-platform slate aims to capture fragmented modern audiences by combining enduring franchises with high-impact celebrity partnerships like the Ajay Devgn Crime Patrol New Host.

This diverse portfolio, which runs alongside Allu Arjun’s highly anticipated sci-fi epic Raaka and Salman Khan’s state-of-the-art international actioner 7 Dogs, is designed to capture market share. Headlining the Hindi line is Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18 hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, returning under the campaign thought “Sochna Padega.”

Cricket legend Rohit Sharma is joining the network’s lineup, too. He will make his first big appearance in entertainment with a new show, joining other stars like Ajay Devgn and Amitabh Bachchan in this season that highlights the Ajay Devgn Crime Patrol New Host. The network’s Hindi programming now features Indian Game Show with Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa, alongside Hansal Mehta’s financial drama, Scam 2010.

To grow its regional audience, Sony is signing big-name celebrities for local shows: Madhuri Dixit is joining Marathi KBC, Samantha Ruth Prabhu will front MasterChef Tamil, and AR Rahman is heading up Tamil Idol.

The Crime Patrol Hosting Evolution Timeline

Crime Patrol first aired on May 9, 2003, and has since become India’s longest-running reality crime show. Over the past 20 years, it has kept viewers hooked through nine seasons and nearly 2,100 episodes, constantly changing its format and hosts to stay fresh.

May 2003 (Season 1): The weekly true-crime series premieres on Sony TV, hosted by Diwakar Pundir.
Late 2004: Shakti Anand replaced Diwakar Pundir as the primary weekly presenter.
January 2010 (Season 2): The show returns as a daily series, co-presented by Anup Soni and Sakshi Tanwar.
April 2011 (Season 4): The show returns as Crime Patrol Dastak (later Crime Patrol Satark in 2014) to successfully reclaim top TRP ratings.
February 2021: The franchise is honored with the prestigious Milestone Achievement Award at the 20th ITA Awards.
August 2026: Ajay Devgn and Rajesh Tailang are officially announced as the hosts for the Crime Patrol 2026 season, confirming the Ajay Devgn Crime Patrol New Host.

Most Asked Questions

What is the release date of Crime Patrol 2026?

Crime Patrol 2026 – Crime Ka Current Season premieres August 31, 2026, on TV and Sony LIV featuring the Ajay Devgn Crime Patrol New Host.

Why did Anup Soni stop hosting Crime Patrol?

After 1,600 episodes, Anup Soni left the show to pursue new acting roles in films and digital series, aiming to avoid creative monotony before the arrival of the Ajay Devgn Crime Patrol New Host.

How many episodes of the new season has Ajay Devgn filmed?

Ajay Devgn has currently shot an initial block of 15 episodes. His continuation as the Ajay Devgn Crime Patrol New Host beyond this schedule will depend on TRP ratings and audience reception.

What role does Rajesh Tailang play in Crime Patrol 2026?

Rajesh Tailang joins Ajay Devgn as a co-host, with his final episode count depending on audience feedback.

What is the theme of the new season hosted by Ajay Devgn?

The new season highlights crimes committed by people you know, warning that “the culprit is someone you know” under the watch of the Ajay Devgn Crime Patrol New Host.

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