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Balaji Telefilms forays into original digital content with ALT
MUMBAI: Television and film production company Balaji Telefilms has forayed into the original digital content business segment with the launch of ALT Digital Media Entertainment.
This is move is reflective of the company’s strategic intent to extend its entertainment expertise to creating enjoyable, engaging content for digital audiences globally and monetise the incredible potential of original, premium, on-demand entertainment.
ALT Digital Media will be looking at offering next generation of content which is original, edgy and contemporary. The company will create content for the entire connected ecosystem spanning mobiles, computers, tablets, smart TVs and game stations.
Through this endeavour Balaji Telefilms will go beyond the current themes of television entertainment to set a new benchmark with younger, edgier and smarter contemporary content that merits a different medium. The move comes at a time when 75 per cent of Indian audiences accessing the internet are aged between 19 to 30 years and increasingly seek new entertainment.
The company is assembling a team of professionals and is gearing up to launch in early 2016, presenting all-new original drama series across genres that will be co-created by some prominent names from the Indian entertainment industry. ALT Digital Media will initially develop content in Hindi and English and later in other regional languages, all of which will be available on subscription-based and premium ad-supported models to domestic and global Indian audiences.
In addition to developing its own platform, ALT Digital Media is also in advanced discussions to seek synergistic associations and partnerships with leading technology and video distribution platforms.
Original and exclusive content is the primary lever to attract digital subscribers, and this will be the key operating differentiator for ALT Digital Media, which is being supported by Big Data Analytics and will be led by ‘predictive data’ that draws on analytics driven insights for accurate content development, viewer monitoring and better customer segmentation.
Balaji Telefilms joint managing director Ekta Kapoor said, “As one of India’s most pioneering media houses Balaji Telefilms has always focussed on content innovation. Our passion for entertainment continues to drive us to create exciting entertainment formats – spanning films, television and now for young digital audiences. Our foray into the digital space is aligned to our strategic intent to tap into the growing digital video phenomenon, where we bring our unique story telling strengths to create compelling content and deliver it directly to audiences who are always connected and seek quality, original entertainment in new formats.”
Balaji Telefilms group CEO Sameer Nair added, “With greater use of handheld electronic devices, and growing, 3G, 4G & WI-fi penetration, a spectacular mobile video and e-commerce revolution is underway, dramatically changing consumers and consumption behaviour. For Balaji Telefilms, with its distinct strengths as an innovative entertainment powerhouse, it is the logical next step – to create the next generation of original, exciting fiction content. This foray enables Balaji to not only create and own content IP but to also build its own consumer base of audiences who seek original content and in the process, build a strong and valuable B2C brand. We are confident that ALT Digital Media will soon carve its own identity as a leading digital entertainment content creator and distributor in India for worldwide audiences.”
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.
