News Headline
Chiseen’s deal with MTV Asia for ‘Crazy Show’
HONG KONG: Production company Deansee Entertainment under its newly-formed Chiseen label has signed a distribution deal with MTV Networks Asia.
Chiseen will produce the stunt and prank-related content for the show, MTV Whatever Things, which MTV Networks will license and distribute for an initial period of 18 months beginning at the end of August.
Set in Asia’s vast urban landscape, the show exposes the odd, risque, shocking and humorous elements of street and pop culture. By closely examining its intricacies in a deliberately haphazard style, Chiseen’s blend of physical stunts, celebrity pranks, provocative journalism and pure-situational randomness will be a new experience for Asian audiences.
MTV Asia’s senior VP David Flack was quoted in an official release saying, “MTV has found the perfect partner in Chiseen. With our commitment to bring our youth audience unique humour-based programming that they can relate to, and Chiseen’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of television as we know it, look out for a show that will put a smile on the faces of young people across Asia.”
The show will air on eight MTV networks throughout Asia. The estimated audience reach of the show is 170 million households. A recent prank involving a man-dressed-as-a-gorilla stealing bananas from a fruit stand and the subsequent attack by the 80-year-old shopkeeper who thought the ape was a ghost, started a media frenzy in many local and international newspapers, snatching the entire front page of Apple Daily news.
Deansee Entertainment’s credits include Tai Tai which was nominated for Best Short Film at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival. It also made The Wedding Race a 12-episode reality adventure game show produced in Australia that achieved China distribution covering a potential 750 million viewers.
Chiseen is popular Chinese slang for crazy. The Chiseen experience, borne out of an individual’s search for identity, has emerged as a new brand celebrating the underground and obscure elements of Asian urban pop culture. The label’s popular website showcases running content from Asia.
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.
