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‘Sholay’ pulls Zee Cinema into top 50
MUMBAI: Zee Cinema’s Sholay gamble has paid off, claims the channel.
The evergreen hit that had an unprecedented run in cinema theatres when it was released 30 years ago, ranked 43rd among the top 100 shows in the week ended 27 September, in C&S households, 4+, with a TVR of 3.5. The channel also recorded its all time high channel share during the screening of the ageless classic.
The film, in its unabridged version, made a return to the small screen after five years, and according to Zee Cinema, has become the highest rated movie ever on a movie channel. Quoting TAM statistics, the channel says that with a 15 min+ TVR of 4.29 in Hindi-speaking markets and 3.73 in all India markets. During the screening, 11.3 million individuals tuned into watch Sholay, the channel claims.
Backed by an aggressive on air cross promotion across the Zee Network, Sholay was part of Zee Cinema’s initiatives to rope in audiences with unique content. Says an exultant Yogesh Radhakrishnan, Business Head, Zee Cinema “With the kind of promotional efforts undertaken by the channel to create the excitement about the screening of the movie, we were always expecting this kind of response from our viewers.”
During the time of screening of Sholay, Zee Cinema had an all time high channel share of 27.2 per cent. According to the channel, Star Plus lagged behind with a channel share of 16.59 per cent. Zee Cinema closed week 39 with 200.47 GRPs in C&S 4+ Hindi-speaking markets, vis-?-vis 128.74 of Max and 106.05 of Star Gold. Deewangee, which was a satellite premiere on Sony at the same time as Sholay aired, too could not entice in as many viewers as the Amitabh-Dharmendra starrer.
Just about a year ago, the recent blockbuster hit Lagaan had helped pull in Sony into the top 10 in the ratings stakes. SET executive V-P Sunil Lulla had said at the time that Lagaan’s 10.24 TVR for the key north, west and east territories made it the highest rated film of the last 15 months on any C&S channel in both absolute and relative terms. Lagaan however had not been able to generate as high TVRs as the patriotism flavoured Border had done a year earlier. Zee’s Gadar -EK Prem Katha too had made it to the top 20 with a TVR of 5.05.
Last year’s magnum opus Devdas, aired on 27 April this year on Max, had managed a TVR of 3.7 and was ranked 42 in C&S homes, 4+. But the day belongs to Radhakrishnan who points out that the honour of being first among movie channels currently belongs to Zee Cinema.
TVR of Hindi films on Sep 27 (night slot) – C&S 4+ (Data supplied by Zee Cinema)
Channels HSM: 1 min+ HSM: 15 min+ All India: 1 min+ All India: 15 min+ Movie
Zee Cinema 5.03 4.29 3.47 3.18 Sholay
Max 0.72 0.32 0.49 0.21 Kyuniki Mein Jhoot Nahi Bolta
Star Gold 1.32 0.89 1.05 0.74 Fist of Fury (Dubbed)
Sony 1.15 0.82 0.86 0.61 Deewangee (Satellite premier )
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.
