News Broadcasting
Industry pays homage to Kulmeet Makkar
MUMBAI: The television and film fraternity woke up this morning to the shocking news of the sudden demise of Kulmeet Makkar, CEO of the Film & Television Producers Guild.
He died following a heart attack. He was in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, where he had been since the lockdown due to the Covid2019 pandemic. Makkar had been active in the entertainment industry for more than three decades, having worked with companies like Saregama, Reliance Entertainment, Shreya Entertainment, etc.
A pall of gloom has descended on the fraternity and everyone is in shock.
“I am extremely devastated by this news,” said SOL India-Banijay Group founder and MD Fazila Allana.
She said: “I was on a conference call with him recently and we were supposed to have another call tomorrow. I was constantly in touch with him on WhatsApp. He looked absolutely fine; this news came as a shock to me. Kulmeet was a very sensitive person; he held everything together for the guild. He was always there to help you. It is a huge loss for the television industry. Especially in these trying times he was really spearheading the guild’s effort towards how the industry would function post the lockdown. We will miss him very terribly.”
Balaji Telefilms COO Ketan Gupta: “We woke up, again, to very terrible news. After the tragic news of Irrfan and Rishiji, this was shocking! My heartfelt condolences and prayers for the departed soul. He has been an integral part of our film and TV Guild of India and his loss is irreparable and irreplaceable. May the almighty give strength to the family at this most difficult time. RIP.”
Applause Entertainment Limited CEO Sameer Nair: “I am just too sad to listen to this news. Kulmeet was really the heart and soul of the Guild…the nicest, kindest, friendliest soul in our industry.”
Binaifer Kohli remembered Kulmeet as a very dear friend. “He and my husband worked together for a company called Usha. He was a wonderful person, always very helpful and nice and a big asset to the guild also. My condolences to his family. It is a great loss for the industry.”
Anil Wanvari: “He was driven to take the Guild to new heights. It was what drove him. That it should live up to what its purpose was: to service its members – film and TV producers. He brought a lot of order and professionalism to it. He will surely be missed.”
Filmmaker Karan Johar tweeted: “Kulmeet you were such an incredible pillar to all of us at the Producers Guild of India….relentlessly working for the industry and towards its enhancement and advancement… you left us too soon…We will miss you and always Remember you fondly…. Rest in peace my friend…”
Kulmeet you were such an incredible pillar to all of us at the Producers Guild of India….relentlessly working for the industry and towards its enhancement and advancement… you left us too soon…We will miss you and always Remember you fondly…. Rest in peace my friend… pic.twitter.com/GUcapyjfMo
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) May 1, 2020
Filmmaker Rohan Sippy: “More terribly sad news… the film industry has lost another irreplaceable stalwart… RIP Kulmeet.”
More terribly sad news… the film industry has lost another irreplaceable stalwart… RIP Kulmeetpic.twitter.com/LWuf8RbTU0
— Rohan Sippy (@rohansippy) May 1, 2020
Hats Off Production founder JD Majethia remembered Kulmeet as a passionate man with a Vision. “In spite of him not being an active producer he knew the issues and necessities of the business far more than most producers I know of. I have interacted and worked with him for over a decade and can say he was almost indispensable. He was involved in so many activities of the industry till his last breath. I still can't believe it and I'm in a huge shock. You will be missed forever Kulmeet.”
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News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
