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‘Chax’ joins Rediffusion DYR as national creative director
MUMBAI: Rediffusion DYR today announced that KS Chakravarthy (aka Chax) would be taking over as the agency’s national creative director. Chax returns to the ad world after a hiatus of three years when he was running his own film production company.
Said Rediffusion DYR president Preet Bedi, “Chax is one of the brightest stars in the Indian creative firmament and I am delighted that he will now be working with us. For us, this is the successful culmination of a global search we began a year ago. Initially, Chax was reluctant to give up film-making but after understanding the size and scope of the challenge, he agreed!”
Chax, looking forward to his assignment at Rediffusion was quoted in an official release as saying, “To me, Rediff is the original iconoclast of Indian advertising. It began life breaking rules, and grew by breaking more of them. When Arun Nanda and Preet Bedi outlined their commitment to returning the agency to its pre-eminent position as the agency that redefines the business with every campaign, it was too exciting a challenge to resist.”
Chax is an engineer who early on in his career, decided that he preferred writing ads and has worked with Bates, JWT, Enterprise, Lowe and Leo Burnett. He was largely responsible for the creative renaissance seen at Leo Burnett between 1994 and 2001.
His portfolio is diverse and eclectic; while on the one hand it includes seminal work on strong rooted brands like Taj Mahal tea, Complan, Iodex and J&J, on the other hand he has also done exciting work on brands like Thums Up (Grow up to Thums Up), Reebok (Enjoy the Game), Limca, Coke, Bajaj motorcycles, Fiat cars and so on. Over the years, he has won over 75 awards and was among the first from India to win a Cannes Lion!
In 2001, Chax moved into ad film-making as a career and went on to make some memorable ads for brands like VIP Luggage, Axe, PSI (the Balbir Pasha series), Bajaj and the Congress party.
Bedi says, “With the abundance of creative talent within Rediff and with Chaks to now nurture, motivate and lead this talent, we intend to raise the bar for Indian advertising and set the standards. Rediff is a creative-centric agency where great creative work on all brands, big and small, is and will remain the primary focus. We are aiming to be the best by doing the best work in the industry.”
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.
