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Damini strikes again with a sequel after 30 Years
MUMBAI: Lightning strikes twice, and this time, it’s Damini 2.0. The cult Marathi television classic that pioneered daily soaps in the 90s is set to make a grand comeback after three decades.
Originally produced by the late Gautam Adhikari and Markand Adhikari under the Sri Adhikari Brothers banner, Damini ran for over nine years, clocking more than 1,500 episodes and earning legendary status in Marathi households.
Now, Damini 2.0 is ready to carry forward that legacy. The sequel is being produced by Doordarshan Sahyadri Vahini and will once again be written and directed by Kaanchan Adhikkari, who helmed the original series.
On the revival, media baron Markand Adhikari expressed his joy, “I am very happy that Doordarshan Kendra, Mumbai has decided to take forward the legacy of Damini by producing Damini 2.0, with Kaanchan writing and directing it. Adhikari Brothers has always strived to create content that resonates with Indian audiences, and our next generation, Ravi and Kailash, will continue this legacy.”
A show that once changed the face of Marathi television is ready to do it again. With Damini 2.0, nostalgia meets new-age storytelling, and the storm is set to return to the small screen.
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.
