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PKL raids new turf with 8 languages and referee cam for Season 12
MUMBAI: Kabaddi is no longer just heard in a single tongue, it’s shouting from the rooftops in eight. As the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 kicks off on 29 August, fans can expect a whole new playbook of innovation, from fresh formats and referee cams to commentary in eight languages.
For the first time, the league goes truly multilingual. Alongside English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Marathi, viewers can now hear raids in Haryanvi and Bhojpuri a move that takes kabaddi deeper into its northern heartlands. Bhojpuri has already been a smash hit with cricket audiences, while Haryanvi adds a hyperlocal connect.
And the voices leading the charge are just as starry. Ravi Kishan headlines the Bhojpuri feed, while Srinivas Reddy takes Telugu. Champions K. Prapanjan (Tamil), Mohit Chhillar (Haryanvi), Vishal Mane (Marathi), former India women’s captain Mamatha Poojary (Kannada) and raider Rishank Devadiga add insider flair. Add to that the likes of Sunil Taneja, Vrajesh Hirjee, Padamjeet Sehrawat, NC Kaushik and Chaitanya Sant, and the mat suddenly sounds richer than ever.
The tech side gets a glow-up too. Fans can now experience two dugout views, a split screen revival tracker, and the big debut, the ‘Referee Cam’, which flips between live play and a bodycam perspective, plunging viewers into the heart of a raid.
“Season 12 is about making the game more accessible and more engaging than ever,” said JioStar head of audience engagement Siddharth Sharma, at . “By presenting the league in eight languages and adding immersive tools like referee cam, we’re creating a richer, more inclusive kabaddi story.”
On the mat, the action is just as fierce. Tie-breakers will now settle drawn matches in the league phase, ensuring no game ends flat. A brand-new play-in phase has been added: the top two teams sail straight into the playoffs, 3rd and 4th contest a mini-qualifier, while 5th to 8th fight it out for the remaining slots.
With every raid live on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar, Season 12 promises to be kabaddi like never before faster, louder, and more local, with the referee’s whistle now literally in your ear.
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.
