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Screentime of sports celebrities grew in IPL 13 ads, says BARC
MUMBAI: IPL 13 was the much-needed break that enlivened Indian audiences from the Covid2019 pandemic-induced gloom. While the tournament was played in the UAE, it saw scores of brands advertising during the game to reach out to their audiences. This year, the league clocked over 400 billion viewing minutes and had an extremely high viewership. For the record, the IPL 13 opener saw a viewership of over 200 million-plus. Multiple brands roped in endorsers from films, sports and other categories in a bid to stand out from the clutter.
As per Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) data, the share of ads featuring a sports celebrity went up from 14 per cent during IPL 2019 to 17 per cent during IPL 2020. The data also revealed that the IPL 13 witnessed a 3 per cent growth in the ads featuring sports stars versus Bollywood celebrities.
Aamir Khan topped the list of top ten celebrities who were featured in ads during IPL 2020. Khan registered 89,000 ad seconds, followed by MS Dhoni with 73,000 seconds and Shah Rukh Khan with 59,000 seconds.
Other celebrities who made the top ten list were Virat Kohli on the fourth spot with 45,000 seconds, trailed by Akshay Kumar with 34000 seconds. BCCI head honcho Sourav Ganguly came in sixth with 33,000 seconds, while Ranveer-Deepika ranked seventh with 27,000 seconds. Aayushmann Khurrana bagged the eighth spot with 26,000 seconds. Rishabh Pant and the Aamir Khan-Alia Bhatt pairing rounded out the top 10 with 26,000 and 25,000 seconds of ad volumes respectively.
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.
