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Bright Advertising forays into film and television production
MUMBAI: Bright Advertising, one of India’s biggest players in the outdoor advertising space, has ventured into film and television production with their first film venture titled Smile Please, which is slated for release tomorrow (17 December).
The film is being produced by Bright Advertising’s Yogesh Lakhani, Nilesh Mehta and Imtiaz Patel (director of sitcom Hum Paanch). The movie stars singer Devang Patel, Sudha Chandran (Ramola Sikand of Kahiin Kissi Roz), Shakti Kapoor, Awantika Verma, Nylaas, Sajid Ali and is directed by Yunus Patel. The music of the film is by Devang Patel.
The outfit, under which, the movies and soaps will be made has been named Bright Telefilms. The company’s has also readied a sitcom Nau Do Barah and is hoping to have it on air in January. However, the channel has not yet been finalised. Nau Do Barah will be directed by Imtiaz Patel, who has the much popular sitcom Hum Paanch to his credit. The cast of the serial primarily has new comers, with Gunjan (another new comer) playing the lead.
Speaking to indiantelevision.com, Bright Advertising general manager Manish Jain says, “Our company has been a pioneer in the outdoor space for almost 15 years now and we thought that if we can justify the promotions that we do for other movies, then we can also get into the movie business, since we know how the industry works.”
Talking about Lakhani’s passion for movies, Jain says, “He started this business at the grass root levels and was initially a small vendor for hoardings. Now he is a pioneer and has more than 700 sites. The saying ‘Where there is a will, there’s a way’ stands true for him and his unmatched achievements.”
While it goes without saying that outdoor constitutes a major chunk of advertising for Smile Please; electronic and print media, bus-backs, bus-shelters, kiosks have also been used to promote the movie in a big way.
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.
