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Zee MGM to air Chicago in November
MUMBAI: Even before Chicago releases in theatres in India, Zee MGM has announced the acquisition of the satellite telecast rights of the acclaimed musical. The movie will air on the channel in November or December this year, says newly appointed Zee MGM business head Ashwini Yardi.
Nominated for 13 Oscars, Chicago will be billed as Zee MGM’s Movie of the Year. 2003 seems poised to become a year of latest Hollywood hits for Zee MGM, as Yardi lists out the names of recent acquisitions to its film library, while refraining from putting a figure to the cost of acquiring the celluloid gems. George Clooney’s latest Confessions of a dangerous mind, Steve Soderberg’s Full Frontal starring Julia Roberts, Birthday Girl starring Nicole Kidman and Duplex with Drew Barrymore, which is yet to be released.
“The idea”, says Yardi, “is not just to acquire Hollywood blockbusters, but genuinely good movies for our audience.” The logic flows from Run Lola Run, which the channel acquired last year, a movie that was not Hollywood fare but a German film that become a runaway hit. “This year, we will focus on a mix of old classics, interspersed with latest films as well,” explains Yardi.
Last year too, the channel mixed classic movies with new hits like Traffic, cashing in on a revamped channel ID and logo and some smart packaging. The channel has capitalised on the MGM library comprising of more than 4,000 titles including legendary series such as James Bond, Rocky, Pink Panther and Woody Allen movies. Some award winning titles, forming a part of the library, are Thelma and Louise, Moonstruck, Silence of the Lambs, RainMan, Fargo, Get Shorty and Dances with the Wolves.
Yardi intends to take the revamp strategy further. “Our attempt has always been to bring to our viewers the latest and the very best from Hollywood, last year we had brought highly acclaimed movies like Run Lola Run, Traffic and more. This year we have acquired the most prestigious and talked about blockbuster of the year Chicago. We will unfold the very best of our line-up this year to give our viewers some premium entertainment.”
The list of movies acquired by Zee MGM –
1. Serendipity (Kate Beckinsale, John Cussack)
2. Everyone says I Love You (Julia Roberts, Drew Barrymore,Goldie Hawn )
3. Jacky Brown Directed by Quentin Tarantino (Samuel Jackson,Bridget Fonda )
4. Birthday Girl (Nicole Kidman Ben Chaplin)
5. Full Frontal directed by Steven Soderberg (Julia Roberts, David Duchovny)
6. The Cyder House Rules (Michael Caine ,Tobey McQuire)
7. Confessions of a dangerous mind ( Geprge Clooney and Julia Roberts )
8. Tadpole (Sigourney Weaver and John Ritter)
9. Duplex (Drew Barrymore and Ben Stiller)
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.
