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New Season of Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa premieres on 26 August
Mumbai: After the raging success of its previous season last year, Zee TV’s iconic singing reality show, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa returns with an exciting new season that has Himesh Reshammiya, Neeti Mohan, Anu Malik as judges and Aditya Narayan as the host. Premiering on 26 August, the new season is poised to change the game with a new format that includes spontaneous challenges thrown at contestants by the judges after one of their peers has delivered an outstanding act in a particular style or genre … Rather than a set template with weekly rounds one is familiar with, this challenging environment is bound to shake up the room a bit, stimulate a competitive edge amongst the contestants and pack in a new surprise for its viewers in every single episode!
Two months ago, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa announced a nationwide quest for ‘OG’ voices across India. For the first time ever, the audition process went paperless – led by a strong digital leg and even the on-ground phase saw negligible use of paper as a part of the channel’s endeavour of being environmentally responsible. Leaving no stone unturned in scouting the best of talent, the creative team even welcomed recommendations from anyone who could spot raw talent around. While each aspirant’s distinctive singing style and proficiency determined their success, it was only the truly ‘OG’ that made the cut. From the panel unanimously agreeing that West Bengal’s Albert Kabo Lepcha has the voice of a hero after hearing his soulful rendition of ‘I Love You’ to Kharagpur’s Sonia Gazmer modulating her voice only the way she can, acing both the male and female portions of ‘Nagin Se Meri Chaal’; From Delhi’s Sana Arora who struck a chord, strumming a guitar as she sang ‘Love You Zindagi’ to Mumbai’s Abdul whose eyes convey as much passion as his voice when he sings ‘Teri Yaadon Mein’; From UP’s Nishtha Sharma leaving everyone spellbound with her aalaap of ‘Banarasiya’ to Kolkata’s Ranita Banerjee standing up to Himesh’s on-the-spot challenge and rendering an equally evocative rendition of the same song, audiences are in for an exceptional musical extravaganza, marking a grand celebration of music this season!
Zee TV business head Aparna Bhosle said, “With Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’s rich legacy spanning nearly three decades, we take pride in staying true to our commitment of showcasing the most distinctive, extraordinary voices of India. To fuel a healthy spirit of competition and make the viewer experience more dynamic, we are infusing this season with spontaneous challenges to the talent and rewarding the top performers with an opportunity to release their original singles via Zee Music Company. This should make for a compelling watch”.
ZEE chief growth officer, advertisement revenue Ashish Sehgal said, “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’s new season has created great buzz among audiences in the run-up to its launch. I am delighted to welcome Maruti and Dabur as the main sponsors for this highly anticipated show, which will not only help us find new talent but will launch original singers in the industry. We thank our sponsors for being part of this journey and l look forward to more such associations.”
Dabur India Ltd head- oral care Augustus Daniel said, “We are pleased to announce our association with Zee TV. Their large viewership would help in building awareness about our new launch in the Gels toothpaste category – “Dabur Red Bae Fresh Gel”. The brand has been meticulously crafted with Gen Z and millennials in mind – ‘BAE – Before Anyone Else’ captures the essence of a close friend or a partner, while ‘irresistible freshness’ appeals to youth aiming to leave a lasting impact in every interaction.”
Get ready to witness the exciting new season of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, starting 26 August, every Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm, only on Zee TV!
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.
