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Great stories can fail if not backed with right talent: Irada Entertainment’s Falguni Patel
MUMBAI: Irada Entertainment, an India-based production house is best known for its 2017 national award-winning movie Iraada starring Naseeruddin Shah. The production house has also done a Gujrati movie named Ventilator that featured Jackie Shroff in the main lead. The production house recently produced a series Avrodh with Applause Entertainment.
It is a brainchild of Falguni Patel, an N.R.I based out of the US who is a film enthusiast at heart and believes that good content strikes a connection with the audiences. She aims to create captivating and engaging content across all genres such as a spine-chilling thriller, high-octave drama, dark-humour, or a heart-rending love story. Patel mentions that impactful stories, coupled with the right talent and technology are the need of the hour.
Irada Entertainment is based out of Mumbai’s Andheri location and does most of the creative work on a contractual or project basis. However, the team travels to different shooting locations based on the requirements of the script. Patel shares, “We like to be as authentic as possible with our shoot locations to bring in the persuasive approach.” It is currently in the process of hiring a full-time team on board.
“Our vision of what we want out of a story has always been cast in stone. This has been monumental in giving our team the right direction. Once we commit to any project, there is no turning back. We direct our team to think out of the box in the face of adversities and make things happen even in the worst-case scenarios.”
As a producer, Patel thinks her biggest investment in terms of time is in the concept of the story which should be able to connect with the audiences. The firm’s significant time and efforts majorly go in shortlisting the right content. “Great stories can fail once they go into production if we do not back them with the right talent. Our approach has always been holistic, it is not only the story but also the team, the medium, and the timing that makes a project successful,” she further adds.
Patel highlights that producing a film or web-series comes with its own set of challenges as there is a chance that the content might not be accepted by the audience. She believes there is no formula to create hit content and it all comes with taking a risk and experimenting.
Irada Entertainment is currently pitching its content to different OTT channels and is in talks with them for creating an OTT original as well.
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.
