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Movies HD in Star Maa’s refreshed identity with new programmes
MUMBAI: Star Maa, the Telugu GEC of Star Network, is rechristening its network channels under the Star Maa umbrella. On 25 June, the brands Maa Music, Maa Gold and Maa Movies were respectively rebranded as Star Maa Music, Star Maa Gold & Star Maa Movies. Apart from the refreshed movies channel, a HD addition is added to the bouquet, Star Maa Movies HD.
Each channel is aimed at amplifying the ante but also aims to create emotional connect with its viewers. With the re-branding the channels content offerings will further see a ramp up with bigger and better viewing experiences as a network. All the network channels will showcase and launch an array of new shows and innovative programming with impeccable standards.
The brand proposition of Star Maa Music is aimed as flipside of music, which will resonate everything that relates to music. Maa Music has grown 2 times over the last few months in terms of the viewership. New programs like Connect & Restart have contributed to this growth and with the refresh that happened, Star Maa Music aims to reach young consumers and entertain them more.
Star Maa Gold is poised to be a GEC with a difference. It will aim to provide an alternative viewing experience, the channel claims. Unlike other mainline GECs which cater mostly to the female viewers with daily soaps and dramas. Star Maa Gold explores multiple genres such as action, mythology, crime, comedy, reality, movies and other lesser explored content areas. The popularity of the channel has been seeing dramatic growth in the recent weeks and has grown 3-fold times compared to the beginning of the year.
Star Maa Movies SD & Star Maa Movies HD are aimed at constantly redefining the possibilities of movie viewing experience. Maa Movies has been the numero uno movie channel in the last 6 weeks. With a strong movie library of 800 plus movies Star Maa Movies refresh is all set to bring home the love for cinema to viewer’s. HD version of Star Maa Movies will take a lead in creating inventive and ground-breaking ways to tell stories and redefine the home movie viewing experience.
Star India CEO – south region Kevin Vaz commented “We are in the entertainment space and with changing aspirations and expectations of viewers we always look to redefine entertainment”. “Innovation, content variety, spiffy packaging and quality of the channel is a sign of our commitment to Telugu viewing audience, globally,” Vaz, also added “As we enter this new phase, we will continue to delight our consumers with new stories and new programs that will redefine entertainment in various genres be it with gold movies or music channels.”
Star Maa Network EVP & business head Alok Jain said, “Star India’s Integration with Maa was a testimony to STAR wanting to build and grow in Telugu market. With this brilliant synergies, all the network channels underwent refresh on 25th June, we are now poised to take a leap forward. With the new brand name and proposition, we plan to significantly scale up our offerings of all our network channels which has seen tremendous growth starting from the year of 2017’’
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.
