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Tamil film trade shuts down southern TV
Another war erupts…this time it’s the film industry vs the TV. And it’s taking place down south.
Tamil film makers have started a round of fisticuffs against regional television channels – Sun TV, Raj TV, Vijay TV and Jaya TV. They have banned south Indian film personalities including stars and even film technicians from giving interviews to TV channels. Three organisations – the producers council, and the distributors and exhibitors associations – say that film artistes should abstain from acting in Tamil television serials appearing on television. They have disallowed TV channels from showing (promotional clips) trailors, clippings and even songs from newly released movies. They add that telecast rights of new movies should not be awarded to these channels for up to five years from their release. The troika wants all these conditions to come into force from early February.
The reason for such a harsh move: the glut of film promotions and star interviews on television has meant that audiences are abandoning cinema halls and are turning into couch potatoes. Because of this the Tamil film industry’s box office collections are dropping.
They point out that this trend has become apparent from mid-January when the religious festival of Pongal commenced. Not one of the four blockbusters released on that day has run to a full house, they point out. They say viewers got their fill of their stars sitting comfortably in their homes on television. They want to avert a similar disaster on April 14, which is another auspicious day when a deluge of Tamil films hits cinema halls.
It is known that the TV and film industry go hand in hand. Films are promoted on TV and the TV industry gets its share of the pie on account of the viewership trailors generate. Will the ban continue for long? Will it be supported by the whole Tamil film industry, which already has its foot into the business of producing Tamil software? Will film actors who are already starring in soaps discontinue their acts?
Even Bollywood had gone through a similar convulsion a couple of years ago when the Hindi film industry had stated that film collections were dropping on account of piracy by cable operators. But they had not blamed falling collections to a glut of trailers and interviews on television. In fact, some directors and producers have cleverly used television to drive audiences to theatres. So is the Tamil TV trade missing the wood for the trees?
It is a situation that clearly bears watching.
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.
