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‘Mayaadweepam’ returns on Zee Telugu starting 3 October
Mumbai: Zee Telugu has revived its kids reality show “Mayaadweepam” after seven years. The show will be led by Ohmkar as host along with fictional characters Pillamarriraju and Ontu Kannu Rakshasudu starting from 3 October at 9 p.m on Zee Telugu and Zee Telugu HD.
This season’s sponsors include Close Up, Dazller Eterna and Triplex detergent.
“Mayaadweepam” is an adventure game show that unearths the skills of young contestants including their physical, intellectual, satirical and educational ability. The intricately designed sets created for the show are one of the most composite setups in Telugu television. A crew of 100 members worked over 50 days to bring alive the setting, blending India’s rich mythic structures to give viewers a grand viewing experience, said the channel in a statement.
This year Zee Telugu announced digital auditions for the show. Participants between the age of 6-12 years were invited to participate in the virtual auditions and this helped the channel receive over 12,000 entries in a short period of time. The selected participants will be part of the game show where every episode will witness four different contestants. Each episode will end with a ‘Showdown’ in which the contestants will be undergoing various levels of challenges.
“Mayaadweepam is my dream project,” said producer and host of the show, Ohmkar. “It marks my foray into the fantasy genre and empowers me to explore further variants of content. As we march onwards, we bring together not only the show’s original characters such as Pillamarriraju and Onti Kannu Rakshasudu but also the uniquely monumental set that is one-of-a-kind in the history of Telugu television. Besides, I’m happy to see the promo receive tremendous praises and I am certain that it makes for an unforgettable viewing experience.”
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.
