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FremantleMedia Asia joins hands with DJ’s Creative Unit
MUMBAI: It’s time for celebrations for two of the biggest production companies. In order to strengthen its scripted activity in the Indian sub-continent and across the world, FremantleMedia Asia has joined hands with DJ’s Creative Unit, one of India’s most successful scripted production company.
FremantleMedia Asia will work with DJ’s owners, Tony and Deeya Singh, to develop and produce a number of drama titles for the Indian market.
With offices in Singapore, Beijing, Bangkok, Jakarta and Mumbai, and servicing the entirety of Asia, FremantleMedia Asia produces world class content from the large scale talent competitions for which it is best known, including Idol, X Factor, and Got Talent, to long running game shows such as Family Feud.
On DJ’s Creative Unit part, it has created some of India’s most memorable TV series including Just Mohabbat, Jab Love Hua, Left Right Left, Chhoti Bahu and Parvarish as well as India’s first ground-breaking teenage soap Banegi Apni Baat.
The partnership with DJ’s will reinforce its commitment to grow its scripted business around the world and invest in the opportunities available in emerging markets.
FremantleMedia Asia managing director Paul O’Hanlon believes that DJ’s expertise in the field will help them to grow their scripted catalogue in the market. “We are thrilled to establish this partnership with Tony and Deeya. They are two of India’s most successful scripted producers with a history of successes and a reputation for high quality, ground breaking scripted content in India.”
Tony believes that this alliance will help them take their locally developed content outside India. He further adds, “FremantleMedia is one of the world’s largest producers and distributors of entertainment brands. This is a wonderful progression for us to work together with them on development and production of outstanding content. This alliance will also provide us with the expertise and resources of a distribution network for us to take locally developed content outside India. Deeya and I are thrilled to continue to build our business with this partnership.”
Deeya says, “DJ’s has always been committed to producing scripted shows for wholesome entertainment. We are pleased to partner with FremantleMedia in order to jointly produce high quality content that we believe will strike a responsive chord with Indian audiences. We’re extremely excited about this partnership and look forward to taking this forward.”
Beyond single market productions, FremantleMedia Asia has also demonstrated its strength in pan-regional production having recently produced the widely successful ‘The Apprentice Asia.’
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.
