‘Duologue NXT‘, the highly-anticipated new season of the acclaimed talk series ‘Duologue with Barun Das,’ has debuted with a compelling premiere featuring a conversation between host Barun Das, MD & CEO of TV9 Network, and international actor Rona-Lee Shimon. The episode, presented by Radico Khaitan, explores themes of ambition, grit, and the transformative power of setbacks.
The inaugural installment, which aired on News9 at 10:30 pm on September 22, 2025, and is available for streaming on the ‘Duologue’ YouTube channel and the News9 Plus app, is themed ‘Crafting Your Destiny Through Passion, Perseverance & Preparation.’ It sets a high standard for the season by blending personal anecdotes with practical insights from Shimon, who is globally recognized for her role as Nurit in the hit series ‘Fauda’.
In the wide-ranging dialogue, Rona-Lee Shimon shared how resilience and curiosity have shaped her career. She revealed a powerful moment from her past when a disappointing fifth-place finish on the reality show ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ was immediately followed by her first lead acting offer. She described this as a testament to how “perseverance can transform setbacks into springboards.” Shimon encouraged viewers to embrace uncertainty and to “be the hardest working person in the room and never take no for an answer when you believe in yourself.”
Barun Das, known for his probing yet warm interviewing style, added his own wisdom on leadership and decision-making, advising, “There is no correct decision in life — you take a decision and make it correct. Failure is never an option. Whatever the outcome, nothing goes wasted if you learn and move forward.” The conversation serves as both a masterclass and an intimate look into the disciplines that fuel a creative life.
According to a press release from News9, the first episode of ‘Duologue NXT’ celebrates women who are forging their own paths and aims to solidify the franchise’s reputation for thoughtful, long-form storytelling. With Rona-Lee Shimon’s testimony of grit and grace, the series positions itself as a movement that champions both preparation and passion in the pursuit of one’s destiny.
Key Highlights:
- New Season Debut: TV9 Network has launched ‘Duologue NXT,’ a new chapter of its acclaimed series, with an electrifying premiere featuring international actress Rona-Lee Shimon.
- Insights on Success: The episode, hosted by Barun Das, explores how passion, perseverance, and preparation are key to crafting one’s destiny, using Shimon’s journey from dancer to actor as a blueprint.
- Transformative Anecdote: Rona-Lee Shimon shared a personal story about how a setback in a dance competition led to her first lead acting role, highlighting the importance of embracing and learning from failure.
- Show’s Focus: ‘Duologue NXT’ is presented as a movement celebrating women who are shaping their own narratives and expanding the franchise’s commitment to thought-provoking, long-form content.