News Headline
CII to front India presence at Cannes
NEW DELHI: After having tasted a bit of blood in the international market, India and various apex chambers of commerce are going full steam ahead to tap the global entertainment market more effectively.
The Cannes Film Festival is here once again, and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is headed for Cannes to showcase the Indian entertainment sector at Marche du film. CII is putting up the India pavilion at the cream of film festivals. The event unfolds from 12-22 May. The India Pavilion has the support of information and broadcasting ministry and National Film Development Corporation.
CII has booked 100 sqm of space at the Cannes Film Market. This time seven movie outfits are exhibiting at the India Pavilion, which includes Bollywood distributor CA Films, Narender Hirawat & Co., London-based Indian producer and distributor Inspired Movies, the In Network Entertainment, the Government of Goa, Sun Stone Entertainment, Mid-Day Multimedia, Sahara Mega Features and Culture of the Street Films.
The India Pavilion will help promote Goa as the new and permanent venue of the India International film festival.
Other Indian companies who will make their presence felt at the fest include various exporters – the Eros Group, National Film Development Corporation, Mukta Arts, Raas Entertainment, Kaleidoscope, Insight Productions, Giriraj Entertainment, Dreamworld Entertainment and WEG India. Indian companies are planning to throw five cocktail parties to promote new films and the “India Night Celebrations” on Carlton Beach will be repeated. Like last year, this year too CII will be holding an ‘India Evening’.
Every year, the Cannes Film Festival brings together over 7,000 participants from 70 countries, including 16,000 buyers. 14,000 screenings of 700 different films, a majority of which are world premiers, are organised in the 30 venues. The festival attracts the world’s media attention for its coveted award the “Palm d’Or” and a win means instant world fame.
The CII initiative will serve an excellent platform to interface with international film making community and will help the Indian film industry understand the international production, distribution and exhibition market scenarios better. This year, for the first time in the history of Indian cinema, close to 50 Indian films will be screened in 10 days. Over 300 delegates from India including Subhash Ghai, Shekhar Kapur, Deepak Nayyar, Ronnie Screwvala, Bobby Bedi, Dileep Singh Rathore and Sushil Tyagi are attending the event.
The Film Market section has registered over 70 Indian films and film projects this year at the fest, – a growing indication that Bollywood is catching the world’s imagination. Incidentally, Cannes has created a new section called ‘Cine Classic’ and they have officially selected the Bollywood classic ‘Mother India’. Vinod Ganatra’s ‘Heda-Hoda’ (Blind Camel), a children’s film, has been selected in the children’s film section of the Festival.
There has been a significant increase in participation from India over the last three years.
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.
