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Band power – [V] drums up ‘Popstars’ frenzy
MUMBAI: Eye-popping stuff this. The promotional efforts that is. Five channels, road shows, hoardings, the leading newspaper in the country, online, offline, radio. That is the kind of push that Star India is giving to its glam-reality show [V] Popstars that premieres Thursday.
Five channels of the Star Network will simulcast the first episode of the series that showcases the entire process right from selection, grooming to launch of the country’s first all girl pop band. Star Plus, Channel [V], Star Gold, Star Movies and Star World will all telecast the first episode. Not included in this effort are Star News and National Geographic. The first episode will be an hour long (9 pm – 10 pm) one while the rest are scheduled as half-hour episodes.
To bring home the message, the channel has hired several music bands, traditionally employed by Indian wedding processions, to march through the streets of Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore on today and tomorrow. Accompanied by young girls holding up the Popstars banners, the novel promo aims at reinforcing the show’s slogan – Kiska Band Bajega?
That’s not all. A three-kilometer long banner will be unveiled along Mumbai’s streets tomorrow, a day ahead of the show being unleashed on air. The Times of India, the strategic partner in the venture, has been splashing ads in its city supplements and tracking the progress of the auditions through news reports as the jury made its way through six Indian cities.
This is the first time the network is promoting a channel property in a major way across all its channels, with on air promotions assailing viewers nearly every half hour for the past many days.
Star has acquired the rights of this popular reality show from the UK-based Sportsworld Media Group.
According to [V] vice-president Devika Sharma, 24 girls, selected from among the thousands who auditioned are currently undergoing the final tests. The final five who will make up the band will be finalised by this weekend, but viewers are likely to know their identity only in the fourth or fifth episode. Auditions were held in Chandigarh, New Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Mumbai and Goa over the last one month, with over 450 girls participating in the auditions from each city. While those from Chandigarh and Kolkata were the ones with loads of talent, it was the girls from Mumbai and Delhi who have stolen the march in their attitudes and energy, says Sharma.
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.
