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Sarthak TV’s ‘Mu Bi Heroine Hebi’ looks for aspiring actresses
KOLKATA: At a time when reality shows are seen as the stepping stone to reach the big screen, Sarthak TV from the Odisha-based Sarthak Entertainment Group is providing an opportunity to young girls with big aspirations.
Come 18 August, the channel will start shooting a reality show Mu Bi Heroine Hebi (I can be a heroine) which will see girls in the age group of 16 to 28 years, competing to make a mark on the silver screen.
The channel claims that Mu Bi Heroine Hebi is a one-of-its-kind show that has never been attempted before either in the Odiya or the Hindi industry. “We are now going ahead with this unique and first of its kind reality show. As of now the audition dates have been fixed between 18 and 21 August at Bhubaneswar,” says Sarthak Entertainment Group marketing manager Debi Prasad Padhi. Cuttack, Rourkela and Brahmapur are other tentative locations. Ads were published in the newspaper, TV promos were shown and social media marketing was implemented to create awareness about the auditions.
Three male leads of Sarthak Entertainment Group’s next film Raghupati Raghava Rajaram, Siddhanta Mahapatra, Debasis and Pupinder will tour the state of Odisha in search of their respective heroines. “The release date of the film is scheduled for 1 January 2015. The film will be shot and edited in three months,” informs Padhi.
The actors will select 12 girls from across the state based on various criteria while leading filmmakers will then pare down the list to three.
The first few episodes of the 20-episode series will be shot at six outdoor locations across the state, moving to a set only to select the three final contestants. The show will be aired Monday to Friday at 9pm,
To protect the show’s IP, Sarthak TV has copyrighted it by Kolkata Trademarks on 15 January 2014. The channel fears that others may copy the idea to get higher ratings. “We are, however, confident that we will gain our desired objective and this copying attitude of competition will in no way deter us,” he further adds.
Each episode of Mu Bi Heroine Hebi is estimated to cost around Rs 3 lakh with a total spend of approximately Rs 60 lakh.
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“We are expecting a TRP of 4+ in CS4+ TG and targeted advertising rates are Rs 10000 per 10 seconds,” says Padhi. ITC Vivel has evinced interest in becoming the presenting sponsor and others will follow suit, the channel is hopeful.
A media expert says that the strategy of getting young aspiring girls to participate is a good way to connect with the masses.
In four years since its inception, Sarthak TV has launched Odiya mega serials along with reality shows like Rajo Queen, Gruha Laxmi and many more to appeal to the tastes of Odiya viewers.
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.
