News Broadcasting
UTV show climbs TVR charts in all TV homes
MUMBAI: The battle for the top among production houses has now spilled over from cable and satellite homes and into all TV homes.
The UTV produced Muslim social thriller – Meher on DD National has climbed into the top 20 in the TRP stakes The serial commenced airing on 3 January 2004 with an initial TVR of 7.0, coming in at number 18. In the second week of telecast, the serial again garnered a TVR of 7.2. According to UTV, the serial has scored a record average TVR of 8.4 in the second week.
Says the production house, this is the first time such a genre is being telecast on DD 1. Aired on Saturdays and Sundays at 8.30 pm, Meher has taken up a slot earlier filled by a news bulletin. This slot did not command TVRs over 3 or 4, claims UTV.
The Balaji Telefilms produced Kayamat is the other show that has been racing to the top of the charts on DD, commanding TVRs of around 10, coming in at the number two slot. Like in C&S households, where Balaji and UTV are pitched against each other for ratings, Doordarshan has become the next hunting ground for the two. The BR Chopra production Aap Beeti however, currently holds sway over all TV homes with a TVR that hovers around 12.6.
Meher, meanwhile, revolves around the main protagonist, Meher’s trials and tribulations – a story of a fiery progressive Muslim girl belonging to a small town as she finds herself pitted against a very conservative, corrupt and hypocritical social order. It is also about Meher who gets trapped into marriage with a con man and about the battle of wits that ensues.
UTV, that is back on DD after a long gap (Meerabai, Shehnai, Mile Sur Mera Tumhara were the last few offereings) says Meher has been conceived with high production values. Directed by Sachin Deo, it stars Payal Nair, Rajiv Paul, Negi C, Buddhaditya, Rajesh Jolly and Anjali Mukhi.
UTV says Meher is just the first of several shows lined up for Doordarshan.
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.
