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Colors Tamil launches two new fiction shows – ‘Perzhagi 2 and Archanai Pookal’
Mumbai: Colors Tamil, Viacom 18’s Tamil Entertainment channel, brings to your small screens two exciting new shows with a common thread – how deep and unique bonds are forged between disparate women when they are brought together by twists of fate. Called Perazhagi 2 and Archanai Pookal – Iru Sagodharigalin Kadhai, the dubbed versions of Kannada hit series Lakshana and Bhagyalakshmi, they will be aired every Monday to Friday from 3 July.
Perazhagi 2 revolves around the lives of two girls Nakshatra (played by Vijayalakshmi) and Shwetha (Sukrutha Nag) who were swapped 23 years back in a hospital by a doctor. Nakshatra is not accepted as daughter and granddaughter by her father Thukarama and his mother because she is dark-skinned. The father believes that she cannot be his daughter as he and his wife Jaya are fair complexioned. Nakshatra endures the rejection with a smile and dreams of becoming a TV anchor. But here too, she fails due to her skin tone. Eventually, she lands a job in which she is the voice while the fair complexioned Shwetha, the same girl, is the face of the show. Meanwhile, Bhupathi (Jaganath C), the owner of MPR Foods and S/O Shakuntala Devi (Sudha Belawadi), lives as a PG guest in Nakshatra’s house but he doesn’t disclose his real identity. Trouble begins when Bhupathi falls in love with Shwetha’s voice not knowing that it is actually Nakshatra’s voice. After many twists and turns, Bhupathi falls in love with Nakshatra, despite her dusky look. At the same time, Nakshatra and Shwetha get to meet their real parents. Watch the drama unveil in Perazhagi 2 only on Colors Tamil at 8:30 PM.
Expressing delight at Perazhagi 2’s telecast on Colors Tamil, Vijayalaksmi said; “Lakshana was my debut project. I am extremely thrilled its’s getting dubbed in Tamil. I get the opportunity to be exposed to new viewers. I hope Tamil audiences will accept me.”
Archanai Pookal – Iru Sagodharigalin Kadhai is a story of bonding between women of different ages, of true sisterhood. Bhagya’s (played by Sushma K. Rao) life is hell as her husband Tandav (Sudarshan Rangaprasad) abuses and mistreats her from the start. Bhagya endures all this silently and with a smile while continuing to take care of the entire family. She also raises an orphaned Lakshmi (Bhoomika Ramesh), who is her uncle’s daughter, as her own little sister. She even finds a good man for Lakshmi and gets her married. As Bhagya’s life becomes worse, she finds help from unexpected quarters, in the form of her mother-in-law, who gives her the strength to stand up for her rights. She even provides her a good education so she can sustain herself, setting the stage for a unique bonding between the two. Watch the family drama Archanai Pookal, starting 3 July 2023, from Monday to Friday on Colors Tamil at 9 pm.
Rao said, “We are happy that Tamil audience will get to experience this show. I am sure they will be blown away by the storyline and will connect with the fascinating characters.”
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.
