News Headline
Disney Star to launch Marathi movie channel Pravah Picture on 15 May
Mumbai: Disney Star has announced the launch of a Marathi movie channel Pravah Picture on 15 May. The channel will feature Marathi cinema with a library of more than 200 titles.
“The unique proposition of the channel is that it will premiere one Marathi film every week, a promise unheard of in Marathi entertainment,” said the media company in a statement.
“Over the years, Star Pravah has carved a special place in the hearts of Marathi-speaking audiences, making it a household name,” stated Disney Star head network entertainment channels Kevin Vaz. “We are thrilled to extend the Pravah brand with Pravah Picture and bring to our viewers an exciting new channel to further cater to their entertainment needs. We are creating an opportunity for our audiences to come together to watch the finest Marathi titles with their families and celebrate the Maharashtrian culture.”
Pravah Picture will premiere some of the biggest blockbuster films starting with “Pavankhind” on 12 June. Starring Chinmay Mandlekar, Ajay Purkar, Sameer Dharmadhikari, and Aastad Kale, the film is on the list of the top five highest-grossing Marathi films ever.
This will be followed by Hemant Dhome’s multi-starrer “Jhimma.” The channel will also premiere Ashok Saraf starter “Kadhi Ambat Kadhi Goad” and “Pravaas,” superstar Swwapnil Joshi starter “Bali,” Mahesh Manjrekar starter “Dhyanimani,” multi-starrer and critically acclaimed “Kharkanisanchi Waari.”
Industry stalwarts Sachin Pilgaonkar and Mahesh Kothare unveiled the new channel’s logo during the special show ‘Star Pravah Pariwaar Puraskaar 2022’ on 3 April on the Marathi general entertainment channel Star Pravah.
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.
