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South Indian media market poised for global impact, says JioStar CEO Kevin Vaz
MUMBAI: JioStar Entertainment CEO & FICCI Media & Entertainment committee chairman Kevin Vaz has highlighted the transformative growth of south India’s media and entertainment sector, emphasising its evolution from regional prominence to global recognition.
Speaking at the Media and Entertainment Business Conclave, Vaz noted that south Indian cinema led the post-pandemic box office revival, citing blockbusters such as RRR, KGF-2, and Kantara. The success continued into 2024, with Pushpa 2 making significant inroads in the Hindi market, contributing 20% of Hindi box office collections through its dubbed version.
The region’s creative output has garnered international acclaim, including RRR’s historic Academy Award win in 2023 and the recognition of Kannada short film Sunflowers Were The First Ones to Know at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
Television remains a crucial platform for South Indian content, commanding over 30 per cent of India’s media and entertainment market share. Vaz pointed to successful content adaptations, such as a leading Star Plus show based on the Tamil programme Siragiddika Aasaai, demonstrating the increasing travelability of Southern content to national audiences.
Contrary to global trends, Vaz emphasised that television continues to maintain strong youth engagement in India, attributing this to its affordability and accessibility. He characterised India as an “AND market rather than OR”, suggesting that television and digital platforms can coexist and thrive simultaneously.
Looking ahead, Vaz identified the upcoming Waves forum as a significant initiative to drive innovation and growth in the sector. He emphasised the need for content creators and platforms to balance creative freedom with social responsibility, particularly in the digital space where social media has redefined audience engagement with audio-visual content.
The executive’s remarks underscore the growing influence of south Indian media content and its potential to shape the future of Indian entertainment on the global stage.
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.
