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Zee plans to brand Sundays as fundays
MUMBAI: It’s time for some action packed Sundays at Zee.
Zee TV has two new launches, XYZ and Khel Khel Mein, that will debut on 13 July. Zee Television president Apurva Purohit also hints that the channel will soon be launching a ‘high voltage emotional drama’ Awaaz in August.
Bond anyone: Shekhar Suman as X in XYZ
The original Mr. Television Shekhar Suman will be juicing up the programming line up as a crime buster in a detective serial XYZ at 11 am. Close on its heels is another launch,Khel Khel Mein, a family game show hosted by actor Rajeshwari and directed by Antakshari’s Gajendra Singh that will be aired at 11:30 am.
While XYZ is a mega budget bonanza that is extensively shot in India as well as foriegn locales like Thailand and Singapore, KKM is shot at participants’ homes.
A joint venture by entertainment company Wizcraft and the Harish Ghai promoted Ghai Films, XYZ was launched on 9 July at a media conference at Mumbai discotheque Velocity. Speaking to indiantelevision.com on the occasion, Purohit said: ” We plan to make Zee a complete entertainer. While we are already catering to women, men, youth to a certain extent, children’s programming was something that we needed to build on. XYZ is a step in that direction. Khel Khel Mein is a simple game show; no gizmos, just pure family fun.”
The X Y and Z of the show
While Shekhar Suman, the star of the show said: “Of late, I have been rejecting offers but XYZ really caught my eye. Right from the name, there was nothing stereotypical about it plus it made me look great.”
As for producers Wizcraft, barring the dance show Razzmatazz that aired on Zee in 2001, XYZ is a sort of debut venture to provide television content. According to Wizcraft director Viraf Sarkari: “The target audience for this show is 6-60. We have Z aka Zorro the dog for children, beautiful detective Y alias Yamini for the daddies and X played by Shekhar… well, he is for everybody. It is a debut venture of sorts, I am positive that it will catch on in a big way as it is a complete entertainer.” When queried about the budgets for the show, Sarkari said: ” We had a tight budget. Despite the show being shot at overseas locales along with extensive gadgetry, we never went overboard. The budget is definitely high but not unnecessary.”
The champ with his fans
Though XYZ as an inclusion in the programming line up is big, Zee hasn’t really gone in for a publicity blitz. According to Purohit: “We thought we would rather let our content speak for itself. While we went for extensive media coverage for our Thursday Premiere or Friday blockbuster slot, XYZ is one show that we believe will catch up with the audience in due time. You have to see it to like it.” Sarkari added: ” The show is designed to be popular with kids and looking at the pester power, it is bound to change the Sunday morning viewership”.
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.
