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Komal Nahta to host Zee chat show
MUMBAI: Taking storytelling beyond boundaries, leading content conglomerate, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) has created yet another milestone with the launch of its new celebrity chat show ‘Starry Nights’, exclusively for international territories. Hosted by top trade analyst, Komal Nahta, the show promises to reveal his fun and witty side as he indulges in heart-warming and hilarious conversations with Bollywood celebrities.
Produced in-house, Starry Nights premieres on ZEE’s international channels starting the first week of January 2017.
ZEEL international broadcast business CEO Amit Goenka said, “With a presence in 171 countries and content available in 9 foreign languages, ZEE has emerged as a truly world-scale player, offering rich, innovative and engaging content to a wide cross-section of audiences. Bollywood’s popularity is growing across continents and with Starry Nights, it will be the first time that a celeb chat show of this stature has been produced. Featuring the best of Bollywood, the show aims to reach over 332 million viewers across all international territories.”
Speaking on his association, host and popular trade analyst Komal Nahta said, “I was thrilled at the offer to host Starry Nights as it was outside my comfort zone. All these years I have spoken of box-office collections but this show has given me an opportunity to be associated with the glamour instead of the grind.”
Sharing further details on the new property, ZEEL president – content & strategy, international business Rajeev Kheror said, “Starry Nights is about the journey of our favorite film celebrities. It is different from other chat shows where celebs talk about their films and latest releases. Here we come closer to the individual personality of the celebrity, their true character and their desires. The 40 episode series will feature the best of the industry, including global superstars like Aamir Khan, Karan Johar, Hrithik Roshan, Anushka Sharma, Kangana Ranaut, Alia Bhatt, Anil Kapoor, Sushant Singh Rajput, Vidya Balan and Manish Malhotra among others. While the show has been shot in English, to reach local audiences across the globe, it will be dubbed or sub-titled in several languages including German, Spanish and Arabic.”
‘Starry Nights’ has been conceptualised and produced by Zee International programming head Fatema Contractor. Speaking on the concept, she said “We are honored to be creating a celeb chat show at a global level in association with Komal Nahta. Starry Nights manages to go beyond the reel and reveal the real side of celebrities.”
The starry line-up of guests includes Arjun Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Farah Khan, Aditya Roy Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Zoya Akhtar, Imtiaz Ali, Tiger Shroff and many more. So get ready to witness the perfect blend of comedy, drama, romance and admiration with your favorite Bollywood stars on the couch.
Starry Nights launches worldwide in the 1st week of January 2017. To catch your favourite celebs, tune in to:
· Zee Cinema (US) every Friday @ 1930
· Zing (US) every Sunday @ 1930
· Zee Bollywood every Saturday @ 1930
· Zee TV (US) every Sunday @ 1800
· Zee TV (Canada) every Saturday @ 1800
· Zee TV (Caribbean) every Sunday @ 1730
· Zee TV (APAC) every Saturday @ 1830
· Zee TV (Africa) every Sunday @ 1530
· Zing (Europe) every Sunday @ 1930
Zee Entertainment is amongst the largest producers and aggregators of Hindi programming in the world, with an extensive library housing over 222,000 hours of television content. With rights to more than 3,818 movie titles from foremost studios and of iconic film stars, Zee entertains over a billion viewers across 171 countries.
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.
