Drama Series
COLORS presents ‘Neerja… Ek Nayi Pehchaan’
Mumbai: A househelp’s child is not confined to opt for the same profession as their parents, or an artists child limited to being an artist? Then, why should a sex worker’s daughter be destined to follow her mother’s path? Can a mother’s profession become an obstacle to her daughter’s promising future? Questioning these strong stigmas, COLORS brings a social drama, ‘Neerja… Ek Nayi Pehchaan,’ that delves deep into the lives of a mother-daugther duo, Protima and Neerja. These two indomitable spirits are determined to rise above societal prejudices, forge a new identity as they navigate the challenges of life in Asia’s biggest red-light area – Sonagachi. The show sheds light on the lengths a mother who is in the business of flesh trading will go to give her daughter a bright future and safeguard her from the maharani of Sonagachi, Didun. Produced by Sunshine Productions, ‘Neerja… Ek Nayi Pehchaan’ will premiere on 10 July 2023 and air every Monday to Sunday at 8:30 pm only on COLORS.
COLORS, Viacom18 Shital Iyer said, “COLORS takes immense pride in its commitment to deliver the most unique and poignant stories to viewers. We are thrilled to present our latest offering, ‘Neerja… Ek Nayi Pehchaan,’ a truly heart-warming tale centered around a mother’s unwavering vision for a brighter future for her daughter, entwined with their relentless struggle to break free from the confines of a red-light area. This compelling narrative not only showcases the unwavering determination and fortitude of Protima and Neerja but also sheds a light on the broader social issues that sorrounds them. Through the power of this show, our intention is to challenge the ingrained societal biases, evoke profound empathy, and ignite transformative conversations. Join us on this remarkable journey as we endeavor to redefine the boundaries of storytelling through this show.”
‘Neerja… Ek Nayi Pehchaan’ captures the journey of Protima (played by Sneha Wagh), who lives in Sonagachi with her daughter Neerja (Aastha Sharma) and resolves to safeguard her daughter from its evils, but fate has a different plan. The maharani of Sonagachi, Didun (played by Kamya Punjabi) has her prying eyes on Neerja as the word of her beauty spreads. Living away from it, the scion of the wealthy Bagchi family, Abeer (played by Rajveer Singh) is nursing a wound of his past. Serendipitously, Neerja and Abeer meet and are instantly drawn to each other, but the societal shame of reaching out to the dwellers of a red-light area is a huge hurdle in their relationship. Will Neerja be able to secure a life of dignity for herself and Protima? Will Abeer and Neerja’s love be potent enough to defy norms?
Producers Sudhir Sharma and Seema Sawhney Sharma, Sunshine Productions, both believe that, “Sunshine Productions has always stood for earnest stories with profound themes that have not only enthralled viewers but also given them something to think about. Reeling from all the love we’ve received from the audience so far; we are excited to bring Neerja… Ek Nayi Pehchaan that spotlights the infinite optimism of a mother from Sonagachi and the determination of her daughter to lead a life of dignity. Reuniting with COLORS for this show is an honour and we hope to make the best of our storytelling prowess and the canvas the GEC offers.”
Expressing her excitement about essaying the role of Protima, Sneha Wagh said, “As an actor, I am constantly drawn to projects that have a compelling theme and a captivating story. When I was approached for the role of Protima in ‘Neerja… Ek Nayi Pehchaan,’ I instantly felt a deep connection with the show. The way the theme and story were intricately woven together was simply mesmerizing, and it was an easy decision for me to be a part of this incredible journey. Additionally, playing the character of a mother from Sonagachi, who will move heaven and earth to protect her daughter’s future, made me understand the power of motherhood. I thank viewers for loving me in all the characters I’ve played, and I hope they embrace me in this role too.”
Kamya Panjabi, who is all set to play the role of Didun in ‘Neerja… Ek Nayi Pehchaan’ said, “I am immensely proud to be a part of COLORS’ legacy of diverse and engaging shows, and the opportunity to collaborate once again for ‘Neerja… Ek Nayi Pehchaan’ fills my heart with joy. In this show, I will be stepping into the character of Didun, the maharani of Sonagachi. Didun’s relationship with Neerja and her mother Protima is complex and intriguing. What truly excites me about Didun is the way she has been intricately written into the script, with multiple layers to her personality. She sees the world in black and white, but her character possesses a multitude of shades. ‘Neerja… Ek Nayi Pehchaan’ is a story that encompasses powerful themes of kindness, motherhood, and social acceptance, and I am confident that audiences will thoroughly enjoy it.”
Excited to be essaying the role of Neerja, Aastha Sharma said, “I am thrilled about essaying the titular role in COLORS’ Neerja… Ek Nayi Pehchaan. Neerja is like most daughters in every sense except that she belongs to an ill-famed place that comes in the way of her aspirations. She is on the receiving end of a lot of judgment and her never-give-up attitude is her only armour. I’m thoroughly enjoying the journey of being Neerja, a bright girl who wants nothing more than to live a life of dignity with her mother. After her and Abeer’s paths converge, she begins to question if she deserves to be married into a respectable family.”
Set to be seen in the role of Abeer, Rajveer Singh said, “I am incredibly excited to be a part of this show with its captivating storyline and the world it depicts. Abeer is the pride of his family and is blessed with an eidetic memory. While he’s working hard to revive his father’s business, he’s also trying to move on from his past. I can’t wait for the audience to watch me bring Abeer alive on screen. I am excited to see how Abeer and Neerja’s sweet love saga will unfold on television screens. I hope viewers shower immense love and blessings upon us.”
The show boasts an exceptional ensemble cast including Aastha Sharma as Neerja, Sneha Wagh as Protima, Kamya Panjabi as Didun, Rajveer Singh as Abeer Bagchi, Ayub Khan as Abeer’s father – Bijoy Bagchi and Vibha Chibber as Abeer paternal aunt – Shubhra Bagchi.
Intending to push the frontiers of the digital realm beyond promoting a show, COLORS devised a campaign to create awareness about the sensitive issues surrounding the residents of the red-light area. A vox pop video will seek informal comments from people on their understanding of the red-light area which will be amplified on COLORS’ social media platforms. Additionally, influencers such as Shweta Tiwari, Juhi Parmar, Dalljiet Kaur Patel and Chahat Khanna will be seen sharing their experience as single moms and raising a kid amid societal judgment. The highlight of this conversation will be that kids belonging to red-light areas have the right to lead a life of dignity.
Drama Series
Eric Dane, Grey’s Anatomy’s McSteamy, dies after ALS diagnosis
Dane’s death follows months of campaigning on motor neurone disease
MUMBAI: Shakira’s hips don’t lie and neither does the buzz, the Colombian superstar is shaking up India with a long-awaited return, headlining the Feeding India Concert 2026 across two cities for the first time ever. Announced on 20 February 2026, the third edition of the music-for-change initiative organised by not-for-profit Feeding India alongside District by Zomato brings the multiple Grammy winner to Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi Racecourse on 10 April and Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on 15 April. Presented by HSBC India and exclusively ticketed via District, the shows mark Shakira’s first major India gigs in nearly two decades.
Fans have been waiting eagerly for this Latin pop powerhouse known for anthems like Hips Don’t Lie, Whenever, Wherever, and the iconic World Cup hit Waka Waka to light up the stage again. But it’s not just about the beats, Shakira’s involvement amps up the national conversation on hunger and child malnutrition. Through her Barefoot Foundation, she’s long championed education and welfare for vulnerable kids worldwide, a mission that dovetails neatly with Feeding India’s push toward the UN’s Zero Hunger goal by 2030.
Shakira said, “Performing in India has always been special to me, and I’m excited to connect with my fans across Mumbai and Delhi. The Feeding India Concert is about more than music, it’s about standing together to ensure every child has access to the nutrition they need to thrive.”
District by Zomato CEO Rahul Ganjoo added, “This is a defining moment for the Feeding India Concert. Bringing an artist of Shakira’s global stature to two cities represents our commitment to scaling impact while delivering world-class entertainment. Music has the unique power to unite people across boundaries, and we’re leveraging that to drive meaningful conversations that can transform lives.”
Feeding India tackles hunger through government-backed systemic work, direct meal support in schools (low-income, government, and NGO), and a youth volunteer network that sparks awareness and action. The concerts unite artists, philanthropists, and everyday folks in collective action proving music can move crowds and move the needle on social issues.
Ticket details are rolling out fast, HSBC credit cardholders get exclusive 48-hour early access from 12 pm on 27 February to 12 pm on 1 March, with 10 per cent off up to Rs 1,000. General sales kick off at 1 pm on 1 March. District app users can hit ‘Notify Me’ for real-time updates. Plus, snag flexible payments Buy Now, Pay Later with 50 per cent upfront and the rest by 20 March 2026.
Opening acts drop soon via feedingindia and districtupdates pages on Instagram, or straight in the District app. Whether you’re there for the spectacle, the cause, or just to finally see Shakira live, this one’s got rhythm with real purpose turning dance floors into drivers of change.
LOS ANGELES: Eric Dane, best known for his roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, has died aged 53, less than a year after revealing he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a form of motor neurone disease.
Dane died on Thursday afternoon, after being diagnosed in April 2025. In a statement, his family said he spent his final days surrounded by close friends, his wife, the actor Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters.
Over the past decade, Dane was closely associated with two of television’s most recognisable characters. He played Dr Mark Sloan, nicknamed “McSteamy”, on Grey’s Anatomy, joining the series for a single episode before becoming a regular for six seasons. More recently, he appeared as Cal Jacobs in Euphoria, the troubled father of Jacob Elordi’s character Nate Jacobs.
Despite his illness, Dane continued working and completed filming for the upcoming third season of Euphoria, appearing in a wheelchair as his condition progressed. Speaking to People last year, he said he felt fortunate to remain active professionally while asking for privacy for his family.
ALS is a terminal degenerative disease that progressively impairs movement, speech and breathing. While there is no cure, progression varies widely among patients. In recent months, Dane emerged as a vocal advocate for awareness and research, using his diagnosis to highlight the condition’s impact.
Tributes followed swiftly from colleagues across the industry. Sam Levinson, creator of Euphoria, described Dane as both a gifted collaborator and a close friend, praising his warmth and generosity on and off set.
Born in San Francisco in 1972, Dane appeared in more than 140 episodes of Grey’s Anatomy between 2006 and 2021 and starred in films including X-Men: The Last Stand and Marley & Me. His death marks the loss of a familiar presence in American television, remembered as much for his resilience as for his performances.
