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BBC’s ‘Bollywood Bosses’ new series to profile prominent directors from Hindi cinema
MUMBAI: As the new year sets in, BBC World will be presenting a new series of its programme Bollywood Bosses from 1 January, profiling some of India’s best film directors.
Over the next 13 weeks, the show will feature many of the industry’s best-known contemporary film makers, whose work is seen by millions of people every year. The show will be aired at 10 pm on 1 January and at 12 pm on 2 January.
This weekend, Bollywood Bosses will feature an exclusive profile of the film maker Farhan Akhtar, analysing the success of his debut movie Dil Chahta Hai, which set new trends in Bollywood with its art direction, styling and production values.
In an in-depth interview, Akhtar talks about his swift entry into the world of A-list directors despite following up his debut with a second production that was not a box office hit. “I think my films deal with, normally, men of my age whose struggles, I guess, I understand on some level, and so far they reflect what I feel about life.”
The programme sees Akhtar visiting the location where the music to Dil Chahta Hai was composed. The episode also provides insights into his working style through interviews with colleagues and actors Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna; his father and scriptwriter Javed Akhtar; and the music composers Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy.
In the following episodes, Bollywood Bosses will feature renowned directors such as David Dhawan, Mahesh Bhatt, Subhash Ghai, Raj Kumar Santoshi, Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Ashutosh Gowriker, examining their unique methods of film making.
Directors like Yash Chora, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ram Gopal Varma and Karan Johar, who were featured in the first series of Bollywood Bosses earlier in 2004, will also be featured briefly.
The programme is produced for BBC World by Via Earth Films and is sponsored by Hyundai Colour Televisions.
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Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
