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Shemaroo Entertainment appoints A Chakravarty as COO; K Gada becomes president- new business opportunities
Mumbai: Shemaroo Entertainment has appointed Arghya Chakravarty as chief operating officer. Kranti Gada has been named president-new business opportunities.
Chakravarty will be spearheading the overall business operations of Shemaroo and will work with CEO Hiren Gada and the senior management team to implement the strategic vision and values of the firm. His primary focus will be to scale and steer Shemaroo’s numerous business verticals.
Chakravarty’s previous stint was with Disney Star where he was EVP – ad sales, entertainment business. In a career spanning close to three decades, he has held various leadership positions in different sectors across a gamut of reputed organisations like Times Innovative Media, PepsiCo, and Asian Paints.
Moreover, Gada in her role as the COO was instrumental in transforming the organisation from a B2B entity to a successful B2C brand. Under her able leadership, the organisation has launched various initiatives such as a robust broadcast network, an OTT platform, and several digital initiatives. She will now pass on the baton to Arghya. As president of new business opportunities, Kranti will focus on her passion and strengths to identify & build new business opportunities for the organisation.
Shemaroo Entertainment’s CEO Hiren Gada said, “In the last four years, Kranti and I have laid the foundation to build a strong, scalable, and professionally run organisation. I firmly believe that Arghya with his proven track record, expertise, and extensive experience is an ideal fit to attain Shemaroo’s ambitions. I welcome him to the Shemaroo family and wish him all the best.”
Shemaroo Entertainment president-new business opportunities Kranti Gada said, “We are thrilled to have Arghya join us at this juncture as we are celebrating 60 years of Shemaroo. Aligned with our vision, he brings with him deep domain expertise and he can steer our company’s growth exponentially. With his three decades of experience with leading brands, I am confident that Arghya will help us scale new heights with a strong focus on B2C initiatives while staying true to our vision and core values.”
“I am excited to come on board with Shemaroo, which has been a household name for entertainment in India for 60 years,” said Chakravarty. “I have been watching Shemaroo for the past few years and have been a great admirer of the way Hiren, Kranti, and the team have reinvented the businesses. They have kept the brand relevant to meet the modern consumer’s tastes and moods. I look forward to further build and expand the business across platforms to create even more compelling value for the brand and our loyal consumers.”
Chakravarty completed his Bachelors in Electronics and Communication from Birla Institute of Technology Mesra, which was followed by a Post-Graduation in Marketing Management from IIM-Calcutta.
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.
