News Headline
SAB forays into Marathi entertainment with Maiboli
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Markand Adhikari hopes to replicate the success of his music channel Mastiii
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MUMBAI: Marathi speaking audiences are set to witness a laughter riot on their TV screens. Maiboli is all set to have a silent launch on 8 August. The channel, a product of the SAB group will have a program mix of comedy and music for the Marathi viewing audience. The tagline of the channel is Aapli Aaplya Mansaanchi.
“Marathi manoos has a very good sense of humour and there is a lot of talent,” says SAB Group vice-chairman and MD Markand Adhikari, speaking about the unusual mix of genres.
As of now the channel will only be available on cable TV, beamed off Insat 4A, which will reach to the one million plus population towns of Maharashtra such as Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad and one third of Mumbai.
The comedy will comprise gags ranging from office, contemporary, marital, governance-related that will be in the form of three to five minute skits and interspersed will be Marathi songs. Known faces from the Marathi comedy genre such as Sunil Tawde, Anshuman Vichare, Pradip Patwardhan, Santosh Pawar will be seen on screen. The plan is to first telecast the latest Marathi songs and slowly move on to classics. Interviews of known Marathi actors from film and theatre will fill some of the weekend slots apart from comedy shows.
The channel will have a program mix of comedy and music for the Marathi viewing audience
Based on an internal study that the channel had conducted, the FPC has been drawn up in such a way that programs cater to the moods of viewers, depending on the time of the day. The early morning slot has Bhakticha-Thheva with devotional songs, mid-morning has romantic songs under Priteechi Jhul Jhul Gaani; the afternoon slot is dedicated to fast-paced songs with the program Mast madmast while the channel will telecast soothing and calming music at night under Sur Tech Chhedita and Chandne Shimpit Jashi.
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The channel will cater to all age groups, says Anita Varma
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Although, Adhikari says his target viewer is anyone above four years, programming head Anita Varma highlights that there isn’t any specific slot for children but the music will surely appeal to them. “We have humour for everyone and the channel will be liked by all,” says Varma.
Initial reports were that Maiboli was to be launched last December, but Adhikari rubbishes any hints of there being any delay, saying that the group only started work on the channel six months ago.
Close to 10 hours of programming is being produced in-house at the SAB studio. Channel promotions are to begin a month after launch. Test runs are currently being conducted.
Advertisers will be approached after the channel comes on air and even the website will be functional post 8 August.
“We are trying to replicate the success of Mastiii,” says Adhikari. The Hindi music channel was launched by the same group in 2010. And it has gone on to carve a smart niche for itself amongst viewers.Will Maiboli do the trick too?
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.
