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Rana Daggubati leads JioStar campaign for PKL Season 12 Ghus Kar Maarenge
MUMBAI: When Rana Daggubati says Ghus Kar Maarenge, even the toughest villains step back. JioStar has kicked off its Season 12 Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) campaign with a high-octane film starring the Telugu star, setting the tone for what promises to be the most aggressive and competitive season yet. Released in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, the film opens with Daggubati confronting a hostile group outside a mansion. With a snap of his fingers, he flips the script summoning carpets, drums, and grandeur before marching forward to face them down, echoing kabaddi’s signature blend of poise and power. He seals the film with a line every Titan fan will remember: “Ghuss ke marne ki baatein toh sab karte hai, but hum Telugu Titans wale karke dikhaate hai.”
Season 12 arrives with new rules designed to guarantee results in every match, upping the stakes for fans and players alike. “The campaign reflects this shift in intensity,” a JioStar spokesperson explained, noting that Daggubati’s screen presence, composure, and authority made him the natural choice.
For Daggubati, the association is personal. “Kabaddi is not just a sport, it’s a battle of will, power, and fearless spirit. The Pro Kabaddi League has redefined how we look at home-grown sports in India. There’s something electrifying about the raw aggression on the mat every single match,” he said.
The action begins on 29 August, with a southern showdown between Telugu Titans and Tamil Thalaivas in the season opener. Every tackle, raid, and block will stream live and exclusive on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network, as kabaddi prepares to deliver yet another adrenaline-charged spectacle.
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.
