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Raveena’s ‘Stumped’ marks telefilm director’s debut
MUMBAI: Gaurab Pandey, who has written and directed several telefilms for India’s mass entertainment channels, is ready with Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon’s feature film Stumped. The film, which Tandon emphasises is not about necessarily about cricket, is an attempt to bring out the hidden ironies between cricket and war. Tandon’s ReelLife Entertainment, however, is releasing the movie in March 2003 to coincide with the cricket World Cup.
Pandey, who is making his debut with this movie, claims that the film is a real-life story on India’s common man and woman. “It is your story and my story. Stumped is about why and how war is a reality to us only when someone close to us is involved in the battlefront. On the other hand, the average Indian does not know Sachin Tendulkar but has no problem hero-worshipping him,” he adds.
Pandey started his film career at the age of 19 when he directed advertising films. He soon started making corporate films before foraying into telefilms for TV channels. He wrote and directed five telefilms including Chaudvin ka Chand, Mahashweta, Ek Boond Aasmaan for Star TV and Zee TV. He is urrently working with Vijay Tendulkar for his forthcoming feature film.
Pandey claims: “I don’t differentiate between television and the big screen. Good cinema is a satisfying experience – irrespective of where it is shown.
Stumped is a medium budget Hindi movie in the same genre as Bend it like Beckham. The story is set in 1999 and is about a colony filled with cricket-crazy residents. Raveena plays the wife of an army officer (Aly Khan) who goes to fight the Kargil War. When her neighbours euphorically celebrate the Indian cricket team’s win, the female protagonist receives the news that her husband is missing in action. Raveena Tandon, Virgin Music, MSN India and Charms companion presented a cheque of Rs 5 lakhs for the Army Wives Welfare Association on behalf of the Martyrs of the Kargil War Fund.
Tandon has roped in the greats of cricket including Kapil Dev, master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, the champion of champions Ravi Shastri, Zahir Khan and Yuvraj Singh.
Stumped will feature these cricketers for which they have even recorded some brief emoptional speeches on Indian soldiers. The monologues of these cricketers’ will be used as promotional campaign to highlight the plight of army officers and get the maximum mileage during the forthcoming cricket World Cup.
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.
