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Director Anant Balani passes away
MUMBAI: Televison and film Director Anant Balani is no more. He passed away on Thursday evening due to a massive cardiac arrest.
Well known for his works on televison like Mouthful Of Sky and Kabhi Kabhi, Balani after a stint with television had moved to cinema.
According to sources, the director was returning home from a shooting schedule at Mumbai’s Rajkamal Studios, when he complained of extreme exhaustion and fatigue. He was taken to Nanavati Hospital, where he later died of a massive cardiac arrest.
Currently, he was working on Pritish Nandy Communications production Chameli starring Kareena Kapoor and Rahul Bose.
His first tryst with cinema was in 1989Gawahi (1989), with Zeenat Aman, Ashutosh Gowariker, Shekhar Kapur and Ranjeeta- was a dud at the box-office. Ditto for his next Patthar Ke Phool (1991), starring Raveena Tandon and Salman Khan. But he had resurfaced with Joggers’ Park (Victor Banerjee, Perizaad Zorabian) and Mumbai Matinee (Rahul Bose, Perizaad Zorabian). The former one was for Mukta Arts, while the latter was for PNC Communications. Both the flicks are slated to release in September. His Ek Din (Rahul Bose, Nandita Das) is due for release by the end of the year.
Joggers’ Park also stars Hiten Tejwani aka Karan of Kyunki… as Perizaad’s rejected boyfriend. While Joggers Park deals with the story of a young girl who falls in love with a man more than double her age and dumps her boyfriend, Mumbai Matinee is an equally bold subject revolving around a 32-year old guy desperate to lose his virginity.
It remains to be seen whether PNC Communications goes ahead on Chameli with a new director.
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.
