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Film industry vehement on Kannada film issue
BANGALORE: Following up their ratification of a number of embargoes on the Kannada film industry, the entire film industry in the country met at Hyderabad on 22 September to decide the future game plan.
Representatives from various film federations across India, and industry bigwigs including Yash Chopra, Manmohan Shetty and Pahalaj Nihalani have decided to act against the unrelenting Pandey Committee’s recommendations.
Pandey Committee had imposed a seven week-moratorium on all non-Kannada films from the date of release in their respective states.
A Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Indian film industry has been formed to take the Kannada film industry head on. Reportedly, attempts of negotiations with the Kannada film industry leaders were rebuffed with no indication from the Kannada side to solve the issue.
Major decisions taken during yesterday’s meet include:
Dancers, technicians and fight masters from the rest of the country will not participate in Kannada films and artistes from Kannada films will be kept out of the non-Kannada films. Film negatives will not be supplied to Kannada films, Kannada films will not be dubbed in any other language and non-Kannada films will not be released in Karnataka even after the moratorium period had lapsed.
Meanwhile KFPA president Basant Kumar Patil has reportedly justified his pulling out of the meet with South Indian Film Chambers of Commerce (SIFCC) saying, “They have acted in a hurry. In fact I had written a letter to the SIFCC asking them to visit Karnataka, they’ve not replied, and that they have approached the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce which has taken a biased stand on the issue.”
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.
