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Asli Champion: &TV ropes in Suniel Shetty as reality show host
MUMBAI: Known for its distinctive reality formats like The Voice India, So You Think You Can Dance, India Poochega Sabse Shaana Kaun and Killer Karaoke, &TV is all set to launch a one-of-its-kind reality series – India’s Asli Champion…Hai Dum!
Produced by Colosceum Media Pvt. Ltd., the show is slated to premiere soon on &TV.
The show is the ultimate test of physical and mental endurance where contestants from different walks of life will compete for the glorious title of being India’s Asli Champion. The channel has roped in India’s iconic action hero Suniel Shetty to take on the mantle as a host for the series! India’s Asli Champion… Hai Dum! will see contestants performing tasks designed to judge not just their physical fitness but also their grit and determination.
Talking about the show, &TV business head Rajesh Iyer says, “India’s Asli Champion is a differentiated format that will highlight the next level of mental and physical endurance in participants who will be seen pushing boundaries only to emerge as champions! Viewers will get to witness a thrilling display of grit and determination. We are glad to have the flagbearer of fitness, Suniel Shetty himself on board as the host! His knowledge, experience and passion for fitness makes him an apt choice to lead the show.”
Shetty said, “I am thrilled to be a part of India’s Asli Champion, a show that thrives on inspiration and perseverance. It will test the contestants’ will power to go that extra mile when their physical strength gives up. I am also glad to associate with &TV as it’s a promising channel delivering some inspiring and unconventional content to today’s India.”
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.
