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Fremantle to solely produce ‘Indian Idol 2’ & ‘The Apprentice’
MUMBAI: Fremantle Productions is eyeing India with all seriousness. Post the success of Indian Idol, the agenda from August onwards will be Indian Idol 2. The production for the same this time round will be handled solely by Fremantle and not by Miditech and Optimystix jointly, as was as the case earlier.
The plan ahead for the gaming and quiz production major is to re-establish its production base in India so as to service Indian networks. The game plan is also to stretch its antennae into Pakistan as well as Sri Lanka in the near future.
When queried on the reasons for bringing the full production of Idol under its wing, Fremantle India Television Productions director of productions Gavin Wood says, “Indian Idol was a very creative process with a lot of different viewpoints, making it a very challenging process for all. We are going to be establishing ourselves as a production company. Idol is one of the leading brands we have. This is not to say that other Indian companies will not be used. We will be using facility houses, post production studios and many other facilities of other Indian companies.”
But what was really the problem? Explains Wood, “At the moment we are trying to make Indian Idol 2 a smoother operation. We all learned a lot of lessons from the last Indian Idol series in terms of what we can do and what we can’t do in India as opposed to other countries. Also, it is always difficult to have four companies (Sony Entertainment, Fremantle, Miditech and Optimystix) intensely involved in producing one product. What we would like this time is a smoother communication flow which leads to a more timely, cheaper and a better quality product.”
Additionally Fremantle, which is distributing Mark Burnett’s The Apprentice worldwide, has sold the concept to Star. Fremantle will also be producing The Apprentice for the broadcaster.
The production house is also producing a reputed format quiz show for Star One, the details of which Woods refused to elaborate on.
FremantleMedia is one of the largest international creators and producers of programme brands in the world, with leading prime time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment programming in 40 territories.
FremantleMedia has production offices in over 20 countries worldwide, which provide local sales and production support for our international TV brands such as Idol and the world’s longest running game show – The Price is Right.
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.
