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Mandira’s back on MAX with ‘Extraaa Shots’
MUMBAI: With her track record at MAX it was just a while before they had her back. Starting 10 July at 9 pm, the former Extraaa Innings anchor will be hosting Extraaa Shots a movie vignette show, says a company release.
While she had been previously roped in along with two other female anchors to get some women eyeballs during cricket, Mandira Bedi ended up being a celebrity herself. Sony’s cricket and movies channel will be presenting the television actor in a new role that of ‘movie jockey’. Movie jockey being a new name coined for an anchor presenter aka video jockey who presents movie.
Extraaa Shots will be aired as vignettes between prime-time movies on MAX on Thursdays, Fridays and on Mera Movie on Sundays. Jumpstarting her career as movie jockey with the new two-month Amitabh movie festival – Bollywood ka Shahenshah, Mandira will present the multi-starrer Kala Patthar. The festival will feature hits like Deewar, Trishul, Amar Akbar Anthony, The Great Gambler, Namak Halal and Kabhie Kabhie. In a bid attract more eyeballs; MAX is set to launch its new programming innovation- in-movie package Extraaa Shots.
Mandira will introduce the film to viewers, share fascinating trivia and little known facts about the stars, the story, the music, the cast and crew, and even interesting incidents that occurred during the filming of the movie.
MAX executive vice president and business head Rajat Jain says: “We had tried out this concept of Mandira taking viewers along a movie on MAX, with Devdas. And it was such a huge success, and received such tumultuous response from viewers, that we promptly decided to launch Extraaa Shots with Mandira as movie jockey. We have created a beautiful set representing a cinema hall foyer, and with the well-researched scripts and the ease and style of Mandira’s performance.”
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.
