News Headline
Sony AATH wraps up a spectacular year!
Mumbai: Sony AATH, one of the most loved family entertainment channels, has been consistently enthralling viewers with a slew of interesting programming and engagements. As the channel closes on an outstanding 2023, here are the key highlights for the year.
Key content launches
Depicting the popular ‘adda’ culture of the villages, ‘Gultemama’ is the story of a Bengali hamlet Galadpur & its people. It connects viewers to the everyday life of Bengal. Gultemama spends his day gossiping with his friends. He is someone who would always find himself at the receiving end of his tricks.
Set against the backdrop of Kolpopur, a small village in Bengal during the late 17th century, ‘Kolpopurer Golpo’ captures the culture, emotions, and everyday life of a common man. It revolves around the story of Kanai, a hardworking farmer and devout follower of Maa Kali, who, despite tough financial conditions, is content with his life. The show largely portrays the trials and tribulations faced by the peasant class due to the Zamindari system.
Sony AATH introduced the famous Gopal Bhar in an entirely new avatar as he made his cinematic debut. Having completed more than 1000 episodes of the iconic show on the channel, Sony AATH went beyond to regale the audiences with some new and unique characteristics of Gopal in an advanced 3D animation format. The first movie, titled ‘Goyenda Gopal – Daaba’r Chal’ showcased Gopal Bhar wearing the hat of a detective, unravelling mysteries, and saving his kingdom while maintaining his nonchalant comic and witty style. An extensive promotional campaign was planned with the mascot of Gopal Bhar making appearances at popular historical places such as Victoria Memorial and New Market, much to the pleasant surprise of the onlookers. He also visited two popular malls in the city, allowing everyone to not just meet him but also get an instant photo clicked.
The channel premiered another Gopal Bhar movie titled ‘Goyenda Gopal – Shesh Chakranto’. The saga of conspiracy with Gopal Bhar getting into the shoes of the detective to save the King and the Kingdom continued with more challenges and interesting turn of events.
Following the phenomenal response received for the Gopal Bhar movies, the channel plans to come up with a couple of more Gopal Bhar movies in the coming months.
Sony AATH launched ‘Aamar Sai Shradha and Dahirjia’ which revolved around the life and teachings of Sai Baba. It took viewers through the life journey of Sai Baba – right from his young days to his journey of becoming a revered spiritual leader who touched lives with compassion and wisdom.
The much-anticipated biographical drama ‘Shakuntala Devi premiered on Sony AATH to captivate the Bengali audience. Shakuntala Devi, often referred to as the Human-Computer, was a mathematical prodigy whose phenomenal abilities left the world in awe. The Bengali version of the film brought Shakuntala Devi’s story to life in a language that resonated with the heart of Bengal.
Key initiatives & IPs
Gopal Bhar 1000 episode celebrations: Gopal Bhar is a show that has carved a special place for itself in the hearts of Sony AATH viewers. The show completed a significant milestone of running 1000 episodes on the channel, the maximum for any animation series in Bengal.
Hollywood Hungama: Season three of Hollywood Hungama was launched with an exciting line-up of movies from creature Features to Action and adventure. A mass visibility outdoor plan across West Bengal was planned with advertising on Metro stations and cable networks.
Mahalaya and Kolkata Durga Pujo: Sony AATH celebrated Mahalaya with a specially curated day-long programming line-up titled ‘Mahalayar Mahautsab’ dedicated to the glory of the mighty Maa Durga. The channel celebrated Pujo by having the Gopal Bhar mascot make visits to select pujo pandals such as Thakurpukur S B Park, Dakshin 41 Pally, Hindusthan Park Sarbajanin and Dum Dum Park Tarun Sangha. The activity garnered an average footfall of over 200 people participating and interacting in various activities along with winning Sony AATH merchandises.
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.
