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Lead actors in on the act promoting Star’s afternoon shows
MUMBAI: Having captured the afternoon time band, Star Plus is out to make sure it stays that way in the viewer’s mind.
In what is being billed as a first on Indian television, Star has initiated a unique promotion targeting the afternoon viewer. The lead heroines of five Star Plus afternoon shows – Saroj (Neha Mehta) from Bhabhi, Aradhana (Surbhi Tiwari) from Shagun, Kumkum (Juhi Parmar) from Kumkum and Tanu (Anita) and Sonia (Urvashi) from Kabhie Sauten Kabhie Saheli – have come together on the same platform sharing each others problems, advising solutions to their problems in their respective stories. Each of them have crossed over to the other shows in character.
The campaign, which has been on these last few weeks, runs till the middle of this month. Each week focuses on one of the four afternoon shows by airing a 40-second promo which was shot with the five leading ladies. All the characters are shown discussing the issue prominent in the series at that point. The promo ends with one of the five turning to the camera and asking them the Star Dopahar (afternoon) Contest question – “Aur aapko kya lagta hai?” (And what do you think?). The best answer gets the “Whirlpool Mera Ghar, Mera Magic” prize which consists of a range of Whirlpool appliances.
The 40 second promo, which plays at the end of each episode the following week, Monday-Thursday, consists of vox pops shot with people off the streets.There is a winner each week and hence there are four winners who are being announced as a scroll during the next week’s episodes.
And it’s working says the channel, which claims that viewer response has been excellent.
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.
