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Rusk Media, Amazon MX Player to launch fitness reality show Battleground
MUMBAI: Rusk Media and Amazon MX Player have joined forces to introduce Battleground, a high-energy fitness reality show that promises to be a game-changer in the genre. Featuring 16 contestants, the show will put participants through a rigorous 28-day competition designed to test endurance, strength, and strategy.
The show, set to premiere in April, will feature four teams Mumbai Strikers, Haryana Bulls, Delhi Dominators, and UP Dabangs competing for supremacy. Each team of four contestants will be mentored by renowned fitness and lifestyle experts, guiding them through physically demanding challenges and strategic gameplay. Ultimately, one male and one female contestant will claim the coveted title of India’s top fitness talents.
“Battleground is more than just a fitness competition it’s a revolution in fitness entertainment. This show celebrates strength, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence. We are excited to partner with Amazon MX Player to bring this high-octane experience to audiences across India,” said Rusk Media CEO & co-founder Mayank Yadav.
Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani added, “With Battleground, we take another step forward in our commitment to delivering diverse and engaging content to our audiences for free. This unique format not only inspires fitness enthusiasts but also redefines sports and reality entertainment, offering advertisers a powerful platform to connect with highly engaged viewers.”
The show is backed by a strong lineup of sponsors. Charged serves as the presenting partner, while HMSI Honda Bigwing supports the competition with its CB350 bikes. Big Muscles Nutrition is the official nutrition partner, ensuring contestants maintain peak performance. Additionally, Kayam Churna, American Pistachios, and Ritebite Max Protein provide support as pain relief, snacking, and protein partners, respectively.
With its unique blend of competition, fitness, and entertainment, Battleground is set to redefine reality television in India. The show will stream exclusively on Amazon MX Player from April.
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.
