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Sony Entertainment Television’s India’s Best Dancer to premiere on 29 February
MUMBAI: After the roaring success of Super Dancer – a dance reality platform for kids, Sony Entertainment Television will launch India’s Best Dancer, a platform for dancers between the age group of 15 – 30 years on 29 Febraury. Industry’s best and most proficient names in the field of dancing, Malaika Arora, Geeta Kapur and Terence Lewis will helm the mantle as judges of the show and will leave no stone unturned to pick the finest talent and challenge them week on week reiterating what the show stands for – Jab Tak Best Nahi, Tab Tak Rest Nahi.
The show marks the comeback of ace choreographer Terence Lewis on television as a judge after 8 years. Hosted by the impeccable duo Bharti Singh and Harsh Limbachiyaa, India’s Best Dancer will air every Sat-Sun at 8 pm.
Produced by Frames Production Company, India’s Best Dancer will showcase the journey of some of the best talent who, with their solo performances, will compete to win the title. The show promises to be the toughest dance reality show on Indian television and the makers have ensured to make it challenging at every step. Starting with the Auditions, the contestants will get only 90 seconds on the clock to impress the judges with at least 3 Power Moves to head further in the competition. As the clock keeps ticking, the judges, or E.N.T specialists, will keep a close eye on the Entertainment, Newness and Technique that the contestants bring forth through their dancing.
While Malaika will assess the ‘Entertainment’ quotient in each act, Geeta will look for ‘Newness’ in the moves and Terence will account for perfection in the ‘Technique’. The second phase of Mega Auditions will see the selected contestants battle it out in pairs and trios post a solo performance to move into the next round. In the Grand Premiere, the judges will announce the Top 12 contestants as the Best Barah who will have a respective mentor in the journey ahead. Week-on-week these 12 contestants will have to impress the judges and audience alike to move closer to winning the most coveted title of India’s Best Dancer!
The show auditioned across various cities to find talent that is not just the best but contestants who are constantly bettering themselves every single day. Passion, dedication and determination is what defines the talent on India’s Best Dancer and the audience will see a perfect mélange of power-packed performances and inspiring stories every week.
Sony Entertainment Television content & digital business head Ashish Golwalkar said, "After the successful season of Indian Idol, we are excited to announce our very own IP – India’s Best Dancer, a platform that focuses on bringing forth only the best of talent and showcasing their journey. It has been our constant endeavor to bring forth formats that are not only clutter breaking but also high on engagement with our audience. For the very first time, the audience will get to see contestants in a dance off at the initial rounds of India’s Best Dancer. To ensure that the contestants keep putting their best foot forward week-on-week, they will be mentored by the best choreographers in the industry, reiterating the core of the show – Jab Tak Best Nahi Tab Tak Rest Nahi. Judging this kind of talent is not an easy feat and we are confident that our panel of judges – Malaika Arora, Geeta Kapur and Terence Lewis will do justice to their role of the ENT specialists, scrutinizing talent on the Entertainment, Newness and Technique they bring to the table. Bharti and Harsh mark their debut as the hosts of a dance reality show and we are confident they will charm their way into the hearts of our audience."
Frames Production Company producers Ranjeet Thakur and Hemant Ruprell said, "India’s Best Dancer as a format is not just tough but in true sense a test for the best. While the talent that has participated is outstanding, it’s their journey in the show that will redefine the level of dancing and entertainment. There are various stages in the show that have never been explored on television so far and we are confident that these will engage the audiences throughout the course of the show. It is always a great pleasure to collaborate with Sony Entertainment Television, and we value our long-standing association with the brand."
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.
