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Amit Khanna and his history of entertainment
MUMBAI: When a veteran of the media and entertainment industry announces that he is releasing the definitive book on the history of the business, almost everyone is sure to attend. At least his peers. Amit Khanna – the former founder of Plus Channel and chairperson of Reliance Entertainment – launched his book Words Sounds Images – A history of media and entertainment in India – over the weekend in Mumbai’s Mehboob Studios. Published by Harpers Collins, it is all of 855 pages long, making for a heavy tome.
And the heavweights of India’s business made it a point to attend. Javed Akhtar, Ronnie Screwvala, Mahesh Bhatt, Kabir Bedi, Karan Johar, Mukesh Bhatt, Kiran Shantaram, Dheeraj Kumar, Sudhir Pandey, Kunal Dasgupta, Pradeep Guha, Boney Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Avtar Gill, Bijon Dasgupta, Bharat Kapadia, Manmohan Shetty, Ila Arun, Kumar Taurani, Neeraj Roy, Krishan Chopra, Sidesh Inamdar, Ameen Sayani, Ficci’s Leena Jasnani, among many others.
During a panel discussion on stage, hosted by Karan Johar, Ronnie, Mahesh, Javed, and Sudhir reminisced about their relationship with Khanna over the past decades. All of them eulogised and praised his pioneering initiatves, and the fact that he was most suited to write the book and that he had predicted how the world has evolved a decade or so ago.
Words Sounds Images – costing all of Rs 1,499 – covers entertainment from the times of the Indus Valley Civilisation to modern India. It is a good reference book for students, educationists of the media and the entertainment business or even industry professionals wanted to refresh their minds about tentpole moments of its history. Of course these moments have been curated by Khanna himself.
What’s interesting about the book is the emphasis it has paid on regional television and cinema. There’s detailing, which further enhances its reference-ability. We at indiantelevision.com give it a thumbs up!
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.
