News Broadcasting
Shekhar Suman turns producer with two shows on Zee
Shekhar Suman, the indefatigable master of talk, is producing two shows for Zee TV under the banner of his newly constituted production house, Seven Thirty Entertainment.
Simply Shekhar, the talk show that ‘goes one step ahead of Movers and Shakers’ and which was being eyed by Star, has been snapped up by Zee.
While Suman says Simply Shekhar ‘begins where M&S ends’, he is clear that the core will remain ‘fearless stand up interspersed with humour’. To be aired twice a week from 30 July, the half hour show will have a guest section a la M&S, which will feature “not movers but people who have already moved” – in other words, people who have already become achievers in their own right. The show will also have a live audience and a band comprising three girls and three boys which will, in all probability be called The Head Band (Remember M&S’ Rubber Band?)
Suman’s production company has subcontracted the show to InHouse Productions, which had produced Movers and Shakers. While the sets and the format of the show is “drastically different” from M&S, the show will occupy the same time slot of 10:30 pm. A team of eight scriptwriters is working with Suman to drum up the pithy dialogue, while TV Vinod, who has earlier handled MTV shows and ground events, dons the director’s cap. Suman credits himself with the concept and the snazzy teasers and promos that will hit the channel soon, though. When quizzed about his choice of channel, Suman says that the channel is not as important as the “people with the right mindset” who have been open to his ideas about the show. So, Zee gets Simply Shekhar as well as XYZ, an action thriller series that will premiere in the first week of October on the channel.
The show, that will have its moments of humour, is being shot at several overseas locations including Malaysia and Australia and will feature a “leading actress from the film world” in the lead role, says Suman. Zee plans to telecast the show four times a week. Suman, who is currently busy with his forthcoming films Chor Machaye Shor and Ek Se Badhkar Ek and an album where he has lent both his voice and lyrics, says XYZ is about a crack team of detectives (X played by Suman, Y by the unnamed Bollywood heroine and Z by a dog called Zorro) and their exploits. Anant Mahadevan has directed some of the initial episodes.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
