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SET puts its money on epic soap ‘Kahani Terrii Merrii’
MUMBAI: The great Indian soap just got a whole lot bigger. Sony Entertainment Television announced the launch today of a “mega family entertainer” Kahani Terri Merri, which cements the relationship between SET India and Balaji Telefilms
This is the second big project Sony has signed on Balaji to undertake after the big budget weekend thriller series Kya Hadsa Kya Haqeeqat , which was launched in the second half of 2002.
Kahani Terrii Merrii kicks off on 20 January and airs Monday-Thursday at 9:30 pm. Addressing a media briefing this afternoon SET India business head Sunil Lulla said: “Kahani Terri Merri is in terms of scale the largest ever family drama made for Indian television showcasing three generations of a family.”
Balaji CEO Ektaa Kapoor said: “Kahani Terrii Merrii is Balaji’s biggest ever television blockbuster. For the first time we have created lavish sets and chosen the subject of family, love and relationships. Through Kahani Terrii Merrii we want to portray the web of Indian emotions”
Lulla said Sony was committed to expanding genres. Earthy comedies, music competitions and not just game shows, thrillers with a difference and reality shows, were what would be rolled out on the channel in the course of the year, he added.
Lulla also said the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup would not affect Kahani Terrii Merrii as most matches will get over by 9-9:30 pm. In fact the cricket in South Africa will be used to create awareness among audiences about Sony’s new properties. More people will sample the new shows than is otherwise the case, Lulla pointed out.
Gerry, who also made Kkusum , has directed the show. Also present at the briefing was the writer for Balaji Telefilms Kamlesh Singh. He said, “I am fascinated with the question as to why one only looks at the good aspects of ones lover when all human beings are a mix of good and bad. With this serial I have probed into the psyche of both man and woman. I have also tried to define love in more ways than what is generally done. Love could mean concern or sensitivity or helping each other get through when things go adrift.
The serial’s outdoor scenes have been shot in Kolkata with the set cost running into the tens of millions, Balaji says.
Sony’s marketing campaign involving dailies, magazines, outdoors and usage of the radio has already kicked off. A number of creatives have been running since 31 December when the channel aired Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham.
A short skit combining three scenes was enacted by the cast for the benefit for those present at the briefing. Now all that remains to be seen is whether Kahani Terrii Merrii can work up a TRP lather for Sony.
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.
