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Sahara to introduce shows with Bollywood stars
MUMBAI: Seems like there is nothing low key at Sahara – whether it is the presence of mega stars in its prime shows or the large canvas on which these shows have been shot. Even the two minute fillers, created to introduce the prime time shows, have the who’s who of the film industry lined up.
Dil ki battein, an innovative media campaign with big names in Bollywood as ‘sutradhars’, is scheduled to air from tomorrow (7 May 2003) on the Hindi entertainment channel Sahara Manoranjan from 8pm onwards.
In the two minute campaign designed, the stars will be offering interesting snippets from their lives. The ad-based interstitials aired on the channel, besides offering some eye candy, will also have stars urging the viewers to keep watching the shows.
Akash Deep is the man behind this campaign! The newly appointed creative advisor of Sahara and the creative director of the channel’s, soon to be unveiled, big ticket – Karishma-The Miracles of destiny. Starring the Hindi main stream popular actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, Sonali Bendre, Saif Ali Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Akshay Kumar, Sunny Deol, Dharmendra, Jackie Shroff, Raveena Tandon, Bipasha Basu, Arjun Rampal, Diya Mirza and many more the channel has created a sort of Star World kind ‘absolutely everybody’ promos line up.
Besides the regular shows, the channel has yet another batch of special promos designed by Akashdeep to introduce Karishma…. With the famous family members and celebrity friends wishing the popular star cast luck. So there will be Kareina talking about her elder sister and the star of the show Karisma, while Salman Khan will be talking about his ‘chotta bhaiya’ Arbaaz and Anil Kapoor will be offering his wishes to Sanjay Kappor. According to the industry sources, almost the entire Bollywood fraternity seems to have been roped in to introduce the show.
Both the director and the channel are tight lipped about the expenses, but like always none seems to have been spared.
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.
