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Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs returns to Zee Marathi after 12 years
MUMBAI: Zee Marathi is all set to bring a new season of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs after 12 years. The iconic singing reality show has not only leveraged the power of music in uplifting young kids, but also marked a valuable contribution to the growing talent in the entertainment industry.
The grand return of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs will see a slightly different format this year. There will be no elimination in the season. It will be the first-ever Marathi singing reality show with no elimination until the grand finale. Total 14 exceptional young talents will be seen competing for the winning title of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs. The mammoth task of grooming and guiding these contestants, rests on the shoulders of the renowned ‘Panchratna’ from the previous season which was aired in 2009 – Kartiki Gaikwad, Rohit Raut, Arya Ambekar, Mugdha Vaishampayan and Prathmesh Laghate.The talented singers won everyone’s hearts in the previous seasons and now they are ready to mentor the contestants by playing the crucial role of the jury in this season. Popular actress Mrunmayee Deshpande will helm the show as the host, starting from 24 June, airing from Thursday to Saturday at 9.30 pm, only on Zee Marathi.
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, Amit Shah, cluster head – north, west & premium channels, Amit Shah said, “At Zee Marathi, our commitment has always been to deliver the best of Marathi entertainment to our audiences. Our philosophy is Mi Marathi, Zee Marathi – which means wherever there are Marathi viewers, we will be present. Sa Re Ga Ma Pa enjoys a rich legacy of being amongst the longest-running reality shows and we are extremely glad to bring back this popular show for our viewers. With a new and engaging format, we are sure the show will elevate the power of music and positivity, offering an extraordinary entertainment experience.”
Zee Marathi, business head, Nilesh Mayekar, said, “We understand that the viewers have been missing out on their weekend dose of authentic entertainment and with the comeback of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs, we intend to bring the entire family together once again to create a wholesome viewing experience. It will be a celebration of singing talent across the State that is bound to increase the entertainment quotient of this season substantially. We are sure that the viewers will shower their love upon this new season of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs.”
The show will be aired at 9.30 PM on 24 June only on Zee Marathi.
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.
