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Riteish Deshmukh to make his Marathi TV debut on Star Pravah
MUMBAI: Breaking the boundaries of Marathi General Entertainment (GE), Star’s Marathi entertainment channel, Star Pravah is all set to present edge-of-the-seat excitement to Marathi viewers with its new non-fiction show Vikta Ka Uttar featuring Bollywood superstar Riteish Deshmukh.
In a first of its kind format, Vikta ka Uttar is a unique quiz show that will be a trendsetter for Marathi speaking audiences. Riteish will feature in a ‘never-seen-before’ avatar in this upcoming show, which endeavours not only to entertain, but also give every Maharashtrian a unique platform to earn lakhs of rupees as prize money.
Highly excited about his foray on Marathi Television Riteish opines, “Marathi is my mother tongue and I am really excited to debut on Marathi TV as a host. For quite some time, I have been looking at various concepts and formats but when Star Pravah approached me with Vikta Ka Uttar, I knew ‘this was it’. In this show, the bargaining skills of a contestant will be put through rigour. I strongly believe that Vikta Ka Uttar will establish connect with every viewer because in our daily lives we keep on bargaining for some of the other reason.”
Stressing on his passion for Marathi content, “A Maharashtrian should never forgo his Marathiness. It will be my honest endeavor to give my best while hosting this show for Marathi audience. I am very excited to be a part of Star Pravah family. I am really looking forward to hosting my first Marathi Television show ‘Vikta Ka Uttar’.”
To participate in Vikta Ka Uttar, first question will be on-air from 2 July onwards on Star Pravah and Star Pravah HD.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
