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Bigg Boss Malayalam 3: Audience poll to determine winner
Mumbai: The eventful third edition of Bigg Boss Malayalam, wherein the house witnessed several emotional outbreaks, unexpected fights, and loads of melodrama, has ended.
he shooting for the reality show was halted on 19 May, after authorities in Chennai sealed its sets over alleged violations of COVID-19 protocols. For the first time, since Bigg Boss Malayalam’s first season, Asianet and the Banijay Group have decided to determine the title winners of the show without the completion of the benchmarked 100 days (in the house).
Audience Poll:
As authorities in Chennai sealed the shooting sets of Bigg Boss Malayalam, Asianet had made clear that the show was suspended only for the time being, and stated that shootings would resume once the pandemic situation improved. The organizers also shifted the housemates and technical team members of Kerala to a hotel facility, in the interim.
Asianet has now opened up a window for Bigg Boss Malayalam fans to cast their votes for their favorite contestants from among the eight housemates who managed to avoid elimination and reach the 96th day of the show. The voting will end on 29 May, and organizers will finalize the winner based on the public poll.
Even though neither Asianet nor Banijay Group has announced the grand finale date of Bigg Boss Malayalam 3, a source close to the show organisers revealed it will be held based on the availability of host Mohanlal.
“Bigg Boss Malayalam 3 is not over yet. The voting window will be open until Saturday. We are giving the audience a chance to determine the winners, as the show has completed 96 days. More details regarding the grand finale will be unveiled soon,” according to the source.
Bigg Boss Malayalam 3: Probabilities and speculations
The show had its grand opening on 14 February, when south Indian superstar Mohanlal welcomed 14 contestants to the house. It soon became the most-watched show in Malayalam, and Bigg Boss later introduced five more contestants as wild card entrants. However, none of these five wild card entrants were successful in reaching the grand finale of the show.
Eight housemates including Manikuttan, Dimpal Bhal, Anoop Krishnan, Kidilam Firoz, Sai Vishnu, Rithu Manthra, Noby Marcos, and Ramzan Mohammed are now contesting to win the Bigg Boss Malayalam title of this year. Considering social media trends and performance during tasks, Manikuttan and Dimpal Bhal are the most likely contestants to win the title. Aspiring actor Sai Vishnu also succeeded in impressing the audience, which makes him another front runner in the race.
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.
