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ETV Marathi to replace ‘KHMC’ with new non-fiction show ‘Zhunj Marathmoli’
MUMBAI: Sticking to its word of providing entertaining content to all kinds of audiences and focus on the youth, Viacom 18’s regional GEC ETV Marathi is all set to thrill the viewers with a new action road trip show called Zhunj Marathmoli.
The title that is derived from an expression used for a cock fight in the interiors of Maharashtra means ‘fight for respect as a true Maharashtrian’ that will be proved through tasks to test the contestants’ grit and determination.
The show will also be aired at the 9:00 pm slot post the end of Kon Hoeel Marathi Crorepati (KHMC) season two once the IPL fever settles down in May or June. Currently KHMC is aired on Mondays and Tuesdays. However, the days for airing the new show being hosted by well known Bollywood actor Shreyas Talpade has not yet been finalised.
14 Marathi celebrity contestants will contest in the tasks that are rooted in the Marathi culture across 12 cities including Nashik, Latur, Vidharba etc. Well known production house Ramesh Deo Productions (RDP) is behind this show, the production for which will begin only next month. The ETV team had been working on the concept since the last four to five months. This will be the first show being produced by RDP for ETV after its acquisition by Viacom 18. Prior to the acquisition also it has done shows for the channel.
Viacom 18 EVP and business head of ETV Marathi and ETV Gujarati Anuj Poddar says that the series has all the scale to draw the attention of the younger audiences along with maintaining the conventional regional GEC audiences as well. “With Zhunj Marathmoli we have continued with our intent of launching shows that break new grounds of innovation in the regional space, striking a balance between contemporary thought and traditional values. Shreyas has the attitude and the youthful appeal. He is a well known Marathi personality who is rooted in his culture and has also gone out and achieved things,” he says.
Speaking on his debut role as host Shreyas Talpade said “Coming back to Marathi Television with a show like Zhunj Marathamoli that will take me closer to my roots is like coming back home. Apart from allowing me to exploit my adventurous streak & connect with the youth of Maharashtra, this show gives me a sense of immense pride. I have travelled across the length and breadth of Maharashtra before. This show has allowed me to understand and connect with my motherland”.
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.
