News Headline
ABP Network appoints Sameer Rao as CEO of ABP Creations
Mumbai: ABP Network has appointed Sameer Rao as chief executive officer (CEO) of its content production arm ABP Creations. He will be operating from ABP Network’s Mumbai office.
Rao is a seasoned media and entertainment professional, with wide-ranging experience of two decades across television, film, and digital platforms.
Sameer is a well-regarded senior Indian media and entertainment industry professional with strong expertise in conceptualization, development, and execution of original content. He has formerly worked at YouTube, STAR India, Discovery Communications, Vinod Chopra Films, and UTV Motion Pictures in managerial and leadership roles. Moreover, Sameer holds a PGDBM from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad.
In the recent past, ABP Studios has shown tremendous potential with its co-produced and critically acclaimed Marathi feature film, “Karkhanisanchi Waari” (Ashes on a Road Trip) which has been streaming exclusively on SonyLiv. The film was nominated into eight categories for the prestigious Marathi Filmfare Awards of which it won three Filmfare Awards including awards for ‘Best Picture’, ‘Best Director’, and ‘Best Supporting Actor Female’. It also had eight nominations for the Maharashtra Times Sanman Awards (MATA) and three wins. “Karkhanisanchi” was selected for the Cannes content market as well, as one of the films that the government used to showcase as an exemplary work in the Marathi cinema.
“Say Yes to the Dress”, another ABP Studios production, streaming on Discovery Plus, has also been a hit among the audience. The series is an Indian adaptation of the American reality TV series by the same name that gives the audience an exceptional chance to experience the glitz and glamour of it all, as celebrated stylists try to get the brides say ‘yes’ to the elusive dress, whilst making it an intimate, poignant, and memorable experience for the audiences. ABP Studios was hand-picked by Discovery International to produce this runaway hit format for the Indian subcontinent.
Within a year ABP Studios has bagged an impressive line-up of clients which includes Facebook, Google, Universal, SonyLiv, Hoichoi, Star Pravah, Discovery Plus and National Geographic. In 2022, ABP Studios is excited about developing and presenting content from its recent acquisitions in adventure, horror, and crime drama genres.
ABP Network CEO Avinash Pandey said “We are pleased to welcome Sameer Rao to the ABP Network family. We are certain that with his expertise and accomplishments, he will take ABP Creations. to greater heights. In this dynamic period of digital growth, his vision will perfectly align with our goals for ABP Creations. I believe that over time, his knowledge, and ingenuity will further contribute to the organization’s success.”
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.
