News Headline
‘Karishma…’ finishes shooting stint in Dubai
MUMBAI: The legal wrangling has not been sorted out yet, but shooting for forthcoming episodes of Sahara TV’s Karishma – The Miracles of Destiny is on in full force.
The Karishma unit has just returned from Dubai after a 10 day shooting schedule in the desert city.
According to sources close to Cinetek, the Akashdeep promoted production house that created the show, a song sequence on actors Sanjay Kapoor and Sadiqa, their flashback romantic sequences set in the 1960s were filmed during the 10 day stay in Dubai. Another episode featuring Ayub Khan’s rendezvous with his mistress, played by Deepshikha, in the cozy ambience of the picturesque middle-east island state, was also canned.
Yet another shooting schedule with Tinnu Anand was completed.Tinnu Anand’s character is shown visiting Dubai to hire a killer, played by Paritosh Painter, to kill Sanober Kabeer and Karisma Kapoor.
All these sequences were reportedly shot in Dubai’s Emirates Tower, Grand Plaza Hotel, Mercato Shopping Centre, Humrain Centre and Dubai Creek, on a luxury liner and in a boating club.
Although the Kolkata high court is currently viewing available footage of the serial before giving its verdict, the channel and the producers seem quite hopeful that the result would be in their favour. Barbara Taylor Bradford, the author of A Woman of Substance, who has challenged Sahara’s right to air the show, is meanwhile, in no mood to relent and intends to take the copyright fight to the end.
The high court last heard the case on 17 July, but channel officials are tightlipped on the progress of the case.
Prior to the Dubai schedule, the production house had just wrapped up a 11-day shooting spell in New Zealand and the unit is now ready to pack bags in the last week of August and head for Spain for shooting some important sequences. Lead actor Karisma Kapoor, who was not present in Dubai, will shoot in Spain, say sources.
The unit has been shooting for the past few days in and around Mumbai. Touted as the most expensive TV show ever, Karishma is slated to include action and song sequences on the scale of a movie.
The Cinetek venture has several big names in its star cast, Arbaaz Khan, Sanjay Kapoor, Jugal Hansraj, Tinnu Anand, Sheeba and Arshad Warsi, besides well known television stars in key roles which include Ayub Khan, Harsh Chhaya, Resham Seth, Deepshikha, Sanober Kabeer and Shahrukh Bharoocha. Karishma … is based on a story written by well-known film writer Sachin Bhowmick and is scripted by Rafiq Talukdar with dialogues written by Naeem and Ijaz.
Also read:
Sahara TV to go slow on ‘Karishma’
Sahara ‘Karishma’s’ next hearing scheduled for 16 June
Awards
Hamdard honours changemakers at Abdul Hameed awards
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.








