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Media Worldwide to launch Marathi music channel; names Dewoolkar as chief creative officer
MUMBAI: Media Worldwide is all set to launch a new Marathi music channels called Sangeet Marathi in September 2015. The channel launch is part of the company’s expansion plan for the coming year.
This will be the company’s fourth music channel after Music India (Hindi), Sangeet Bangla and Sangeet Bhojpuri. Beginning with Sangeet Marathi, the company also plans to launch a number of music channels for the Indian audience in the future.
Media Worldwide has roped in Deepak Dewoolkar as the chief creative director of Sangeet Marathi.
Dewoolkar, who enjoys a large fan base and is a very well known name and face in the Marathi cinema, has played the lead part in blockbuster Marathi movies like Vaat Pahte Punvechi,Janmadaata, Pratidav, Navra Majya Muthit Ga and Maza Saubhagya among 70 other films and in more than 40 Hindi TV series like Krishna and Jahan Pe Basera Ho amongst others. He has also been a part of Marathi television series like Damini and Lek Ladki Ya Gharchi. He has also been part of few Hindi movies and prominent Marathi dramas like Lagna and Kaal Chakra.
In addition to being an actor, Dewoolkar is also a popular director and filmmaker with 14 films to his credit. His involvement with the Marathi entertainment industry has spanned more than 25 years. Dewolkar is also the recipient of Mama Varerkar Award for the Marathi play, Lagna.
Through his association with movies and performing arts, Dewoolkar’s unmatched understanding of the Marathi music industry will help Sangeet Marathi expand the music horizons outside of film music.
Media Worldwide director Nisha Chothani said, “We are proud to welcome such an experienced industry professional as the chief creative officer for our channel, Sangeet Marathi. Deepak Dewoolkar brings extensive expertise to our channel and will play a key role in creating the kind of content that appeals to our audience. His knowledge of Marathi music and cinema will be extremely beneficial to our channel highlighting the exuberance of the Maharashtrian culture.”
Media Worldwide managing director Prashant Chothani added, “In an attempt to meet with the expectations of our audience, we decided to bring an expert on the Marathi entertainment industry on board. Deepak Dewoolkar brings a different point of view, that of the audience, to the table. His knowledge will help us design content that is at par with the choices of the viewers. We are extremely excited with this alliance and get an insight into his perspective.”
Dewoolkar said, “As a Marathi actor, filmmaker, and director, I have been associated with the Marathi film industry for over 25 years. I have travelled across Maharashtra, interacting with the masses and understanding their choice of music and movies. There is a huge paradigm of music outside the Marathi movies. People revel in ethnic Marathi music like Natya Sangeet and Bharud that are not played on music channels generally. With Sangeet Marathi, we plan to handpick the choicest music to serve the numerous audience sets we are aiming to reach.”
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.
