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Shemaroo Entertainment launches new Marathi movie channel – Shemaroo MarathiBana
MUMBAI: Catering to the Marathi speaking audience, Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd, India’s leading content powerhouse today announced the launch of their new Marathi movie channel – Shemaroo ‘MarathiBana’. Prominent celebrities and stalwarts from the Marathi Film industry like Mahesh Kothare, Varsha Usgaonkar, Siddharth Jadhav, Swapnil Joshi, Rinku Rajguru, Adinath Kothare, Chandrakant Kulkarni were present to grace the occasion amongst many others. Shemaroo MarathiBana is a one stop destination for some of the most popular Marathi movies and theatre plays which were launched with a sole objective to entertain the Marathi audiences. The channel will entirely focus on Marathi audiences across Maharashtra and Goa and will serve their preferences through the high-quality rich content offering.
The name MarathiBana stands for Maratha pride and the channel is expected to go a long way popularising and bringing entertaining content that depicts the rich Maratha culture. Shemaroo MarathiBana promises to bring a premium international feel to the channel, thereby making it aesthetically appealing and helping it stand out in the cluttered movie space. The newly launched channel will showcase a wide array of Marathi movies from the most recent ‘Bhay’ starring Abhijeet Khandkekar to the classic Ramesh Deo’s Prem Andhale Aste released in the year 1962 along with hits like Apna Manus, Poshter Girl, Mitwaa, Classmate etc. Additionally, the channel will also telecast famous Marathi plays which is a rare offering from a TV channel for its viewers.
Shemaroo has a strong understanding of the Marathi audiences and is a significant player in the Marathi movie industry with a prominent content library of Marathi films and plays. The company has also been producing and syndicating regional content for a few decades. Shemaroo’s content has been playing across various leading channels as part of their programming schedule. Therefore, launching a Marathi movie channel that will be home to high-quality content was the next natural progression to entertain the audiences under the Shemaroo banner.
Commenting on the launch of Shemaroo MarathiBana, Shemaroo Entertainment CEO Hiren Gada said, “The launch of ‘Shemaroo MarathiBana’ further expands Shemaroo’s presence in the Marathi speaking market, where we are bringing some of the rich content on our premium Marathi movie channel.
We have been dominant players and have had a strong foothold in the media and entertainment industry for both viewers and advertisers. Taking the legacy forward we will now be tapping on the humongous consumer base of the Marathi speaking audiences through this launch. We are sure to entertain the right set of audiences by providing them entertainment in the language they enjoy and prefer.”
Present at the launch, versatile actor, Swapnil Joshi said, “Shemaroo has always been entertaining us for decades and I have been a part of that journey with them. They have been prominent players in the Marathi and Bollywood industry, and I am super excited to join them to launch their new Marathi movie channel, Shemaroo MarathiBana. The name MarathiBana suggests pride and integrity and Shemaroo will be the medium to ensure we feel proud while we go back to our roots and connect with our culture through the movies.”
Mahesh Kothare, the veteran Marathi actor, director and producer said, "I have been associated with Shemaroo since their inception and it has been the only place, where one could find any movie under any banner. I have grown with Shemaroo in my creative journey. I am excited to see them launch Shemaroo MarathiBana, which is going to be a new avenue for all Marathi movies and Marathi film makers. Shemaroo has made it big in the industry and I am sure it will continue the legacy of success with this new launch. I look forward to watching the movies & plays and be a part of Shemaroo MarathiBana to entertain my Marathi audiences."
Actor Shreyas Talpade said, "Shemaroo has been the pioneers and legends of the industry, with a huge content library. It was high time they came up with a channel of their own. And I am glad, they are doing this because we as film makers always look for new and better avenues to showcase our work and projects. Over the last few decades, Shemaroo has emerged as a leader in the content space. They have always been at the forefront and taken our work to the viewers in the best possible manner. So now that they are launching their new channel, I am sure in no time it’s going to rule the Marathi film market and become the number 1 channel. All my good wishes to Shemaroo on the launch of their new Marathi movie channel, Shemaroo MarathiBana. I hope that they show some of my films and we continue to work together in the future."
Shemaroo MarathiBana will offer wide range of Marathi movie titles and plays in various genres to entertain audiences. Shemaroo MarathiBana is already available on DD Free Dish along with various cable operators and soon to be available on all other leading DTH platforms & cable operators of Maharashtra and Goa.
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.
