News Broadcasting
Neena Gupta returns to Star Plus with college romance series
MUMBAI: After venturing into untested waters with a religious band on Sundays, Star Plus is now ready with a weekly college romance and a weekday kids’ fantasy serial to begin telecast early next month.
Neena Gupta, whose last offering on Star, Saans, achieved near cult status, is back on the channel with Kyun Hota Hay Pyarr, a show around three collegians and their quest for love. Slotted in the Thursdays 8 pm time band in place of Kundali, KHHP deals with the lives of small town girl Nikki, college heartthrob Adi and flamboyant Ash as they make their way through crushes and heartbreaks on campus. According to Gupta, Kyun Hota Hai Pyarrr, is for the youth, by the youth and of the youth. My entire cast and crew – actors, director, scriptwriter – are very young. To get the real feel of this generation, of today’s youth, I needed to work with this young team.”
Neena Gupta returns to Star with Kyun Hota Hai Pyarr
The first campus series on Star Plus, KHHP is produced by Neena Gupta and Anumpam Kalidhar and directed by Nupur Asthana.
Shaka Laka Boom Boom – kids’ fantasy will take the place of daily comedy on Star Plus
Hum Saath Aath Hain, the comedy show in the 7.30 pm weekdays slot, will from 19 August make way for Shaka Laka Boom Boom, a kids’ fantasy. SLBB is about a young boy who discovers a pencil endowed with magical powers, that can bring to life anything that is drawn with it. Sanju’s escapades with the pencil, his confrontations with the anti heroes and his magical journeys make up for this series, produced by UTV and directed by Ankush, Glen and Suraj Rao.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
