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Broadcasters look to strike deals at IFFI’s Flim Bazaar
NEW DELHI: What are Zee Telefilms, the biggest vertically integrated Indian media company, India’s pubcaster Prasar Bharati and TV production companies like Crest Communication doing at a film festival?
Looking for crossover business and ideas, of course.
Keeping that in mind, these companies among many others, are participating in the Film Bazaar, which was inaugurated today (10 October) at the 34th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The festival itself opened yesterday (9 October) with lukewarm participation from the media and entertainment industry folks.
According to a senior official of Prasar Bharati, film festivals like the IFFI are good places not only to buy software for television channels, but also to sell to foreign companies hungry for entertainment software featuring actors from big and small screen.
However, it has to be seen if the likes of Zee and Prasar Bharati – which oversees the functioning of Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR) – will be successful in carrying out business deals at the 34th IFFI. It is doubtful for mega deals to happen, simply because the ongoing IFFI is too government and bureaucracy-dominated.
The intentions may be honest, but the hype and hoopla that is generally associated with film festivals – which are increasingly becoming a meeting ground for conduction business worldover – was missing from IFFI that opened here yesterday. Even the function that preceded the festival was clearly dominated by the government rather than the industry!
Kicking off at a time when film festivals at Cannes and Venice are making its presence, IFFI is already proving to be a pale shadow.
The consolation that the organisers of the 34th IFFI can take is that Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) are participating at the Film Bazaar.
Inaugurating of the Film Bazaar, Information and Broadcasting minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, the beginning of the Bazaar has been very encouraging and there was a “lot of excitement among the foreign participants”. He added, ”The Indian entertainment sector is growing and I am happy about the response to the Bazaar this year.”
The two business chambers put up stalls at the Bazaar, which also has participation from countries like Uzbekistan and Mauritius. Goa, the host of IFFI from next year onwards, has also put up a special stall depicting its scenic beauty and the picturesque beaches.
Amongst the 24 companies that have put up stalls at the Bazaar are the Children Film Society of India (CFSI), which is now headed by film star Raveena Tandon; Eros Multimedia Pvt Ltd; India’s pubcaster Prasar Bharti; National Film Development Corporation (NFDC); Films Division; India Film Exporters Association; Madhu Entertainment and IN2 Info India.
Is Goa ready to be fest venue?
Meanwhile, raising doubts about the IFFI moving to Goa next year, Prasad today said the government was still open to the idea of hosting the fest at some other place if Goa is not ready by next October, according to report put out by the United News of India (UNI).
”I can only say we are flexible about next year. But Goa will definitely be the hosting state for IFFI from 2005 onwards,” Prasad told reporters after inaugurating the Film Bazaar as part of the ongoing 34th IFFI, the UNI report stated.
However, the minister did not disclose the alternative venue the government was considering in case Goa was not ready by next year.
”That we have to see,” he replied, when asked if the festival could again be held in Delhi next year.
However, the government had earlier already announced that Goa will become the permanent venue for IFFI from next year and this will be the last time IFFI was being held in Delhi.
Goa Tourism has even put up a special stall at the Film Bazaar to introduce the venue to the delegates.
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.
