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Amrita TV announces couples avatar of ‘Let’s Dance’ reality show
BENGALURU: Malayalam television channel, Amrita TV, has called for entries from couples for a new edition of its reality show ‘Let’s Dance’.
Amrita TV creative head and Malayalam film director Shyamaprasad says, “The enthusiasm from the youth across the state, in hundreds, proves to us that this show has an engaged audience. Dancing in pairs, with musical support from the rich repertoire of South Indian films creates such emotional rapport with the audience and hence I believe there is this clamour for more, which lead us to launch Lets Dance new season.”
The competition, which will include a wide range of different and international dance styles, will be a round-by-round elimination contest says the channel. A team can comprise of pairs in the 15-30 age group. The last date for receiving entries is June 15.
The channel says that while the earlier trendsetting shows of Amrita TV ‘Super Dancer’ and ‘Super Dancer Junior’ nurtured individual dancing talent, the new show would focus on encouraging pairs to showcase their skills, with professional choreographers of contestants working with each team to infuse innovation and energy to the show.
The channel has not yet announced sponsorship and advertiser details for the new show that will be aired Monday to Thursday between 7 and 8 pm starting 21 July with 100 episodes planned. For the earlier avatars of the show, Amrita TV had roped in Kerala based Prime Footwear as sponsor. The show replaces season two of ‘Let’s Dance’. The channel plans to continue with Malayalam actress Sija Rose as anchor.
“We have received entries from over 500 pairs across Kerala and expect many more. Twenty couples will make it to the show and the final pair will emerge victorious over a span of about 100 one hour episodes,” reveals a source at Amrita TV.
“’Let’s Dance’ will be mounted on spectacular sets with dazzling lights, LED Walls and stunning sound systems. The show’s format will throw open immense opportunities to competing pairs and enable them to showcase a variety of Indian, cultural and international dance styles ranging across a broad spectrum of classical, contemporary, Bollywood, hip-hop, jazz, Kalarippayattu, Salsa, Samba and musical theatre styles, amongst others, with many sub-genres within these categories represented,” adds the source.
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.
