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Cinevista take DD to court for knocking out Knock Out!!
What a Knock Out it was! Cinevista promoters Sunil Mehta and Prem Krishen got the shock of their lives after they were told by Prasar Bharati chief R.R. Shah that the game show Knock-Out that the production company was going to produce for DD had been called off. This week they announced that they were taking the state-owned broadcaster to Court and that they had filed a writ petition against its decision to garbage it.
In early December Cinevista had had a high profile announcement that they would be doing the show and veteran cinema actor Kabir Bedi had been signed on to host it. Reams of media coverage had been given to Kabir Bedi and Knock-Out for almost a fortnight. Then there was total silence followed by Shah’s announcement.
The reason given by DD for dumping the show: its holding company, Prasar Bharati, thought that Knock-Out was all about chance and that meant it was akin to gambling, which was something DD should not be encouraging. The show carried a maximum prize of Rs 10.2 million and had been for one hour every Sunday at 21:00 hrs.
Cinevista says the show was not a commissioned one but belonged in the sponsored category and any losses incurred on it would be its responsibility. Hence DD should not have taken the course of action it has. Mehta and Krishen say they have tried to convince DD to take back its decision with not luck; hence they are taking legal recourse now.
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.
