News Headline
aha fosters home grown talent with marketing leadership change
Mumbai: As a trailblazer in the fiercely competitive world of OTT platforms, aha, the fastest growing 100 per cent local OTT platform is committed to providing its viewers with top-notch and diverse content that is both engaging and memorable. With a commitment to tell stories of the land, aha is gearing up to release an exciting original programming lineup in May 2023. The eagerly anticipated non-fiction series Sarkar season 3, two web series titled Geetha Subramanyam season 3 and Newsense season 1, and an original film called Sathi Gani Rendu Ekuralu, promises to offer a unique and captivating viewing experience. In line with these plans, aha has announced changes in its marketing leadership.
aha has announced the elevation of Rajshekhar Baddam to the role of marketing head. Rajshekhar is a seasoned marketing professional with over 13 years of experience and has been with aha since its inception. He was most recently heading content marketing and was responsible for creating innovative campaigns around aha’s biggest shows, including Unstoppable, Telugu Indian Idol, and Sam Jam. In his new role, Baddam will spearhead aha’s efforts to bring in new audiences. This is a testament to aha’s unwavering commitment to building top talent from within and fostering a culture of excellence.
Commenting on Baddam’s elevation to the role of marketing head, aha’s CEO Ravikant Sabnavis CEO said, “We are elated to elevate Rajshekhar to this crucial role. He has been instrumental in building our brand and connecting with our audience through shows like Color Photo, Bhamakalapam, Kudi Yedamaithe, 3 Roses, Unstoppable with NBK, Telugu Indian Idol, and Sam Jam, among others. We are confident that Rajshekhar’s creative thinking and passion for marketing are valuable assets that will help aha grow and be part of every household.”
Speaking on his vision for aha as a marketing head, Baddam said, “I’m honored to take on this new role at aha, and I am excited to work towards building a strong brand identity for aha while also focusing on strategic growth and expansion. We aim to deeply engage with consumers and provide them with an unforgettable experience that they can return to time and again.”
As the industry continues to evolve and grow, aha remains steadfast in its mission to offer cutting-edge and high-quality content to its viewers. With an unparalleled commitment to innovation and an unrelenting focus on quality, aha is poised to continue its meteoric rise as a leader in the local OTT space. aha boasts 2000+ hours of content, including 350+ hours of exclusive and original content and 32 million app downloads. Furthermore, it has 12 million monthly active users.
With its launch in Telugu and Tamil, the overseas network has now spread across the US, UK and Australia, as well as Southeast Asia, which includes Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Singapore.
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.
