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EndemolShine India’s Bigg Boss Telugu Season 8 achieves record-breaking viewership
Mumbai: EndemolShine India’s Bigg Boss Telugu Season 8, which launched on 1 September 2024 on Star Maa and Disney+ Hotstar, has achieved a record-breaking viewership in its launch week. With superstar Nagarjuna returning as the host for the sixth consecutive time, the premiere episode garnered an impressive 18.9 TVR (Hyderabad), solidifying the season’s place as a record-breaking hit. In its first week, the show saw a remarkable 5.9 billion minutes of viewing, setting a new benchmark in the history of Bigg Boss Telugu.
Commenting on the overwhelming success of the launch, EndemolShine India EVP and head of content, Telugu and Kannada Tabassum Jalib said: “We are thrilled by the phenomenal response to Bigg Boss Telugu Season 8. The numbers speak for themselves, and it’s a testament to the deep connection the format has with audiences across Telugu-speaking markets. Nag sir’s charisma and the show’s dynamic format, featuring unexpected twists and turns, continue to captivate viewers, making this season’s launch our most successful to date.”
She further added, “With the continued partnership between EndemolShine India, Star Maa and Disney Hotstar, we are confident that this season will continue to push boundaries and deliver extraordinary entertainment week after week. We look forward to sustaining this momentum and engaging audiences with fresh & dramatic content as the show progresses.”
Bigg Boss (an adaptation of Big Brother) remains one of the most successful reality franchises of EndemolShine India. In India, Bigg Boss has established itself as a cultural phenomenon, with multiple regional versions such as Bigg Boss Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Telugu—each with its unique fanbase and regional appeal, achieving milestones year after year.
As Bigg Boss Telugu Season 8 continues, viewers can expect more surprises, drama, and engaging entertainment that has kept the franchise thriving for years.
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.
