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Sony’s new reality show ‘Dance Dance’ to debut on 14 January
MUMBAI: Sony renewing its marriage to the reality theme has brought yet another reality show titled Dance Dance. After the big-ticket Indian Idol property, the channel is all set to accelerate the pace with this offering.
Dance Dance also is an adaptation of the successful Australian dance show Strictly Dancing produced by Southern Star Endemol, which aired on ABC Television. The show will focus on finding India’s ultimate dancing couple spiced with inimitable humour and style of host Javed Jaaferi. The show makes its debut on 14 January, airing every Friday at 8 pm.
Speaking on the launch of Dance Dance, Sony EVP and business head Tarun Katial says, “Music and dance are not only an intrinsic part of our culture but also a passion with all Indians. Sony Entertainment Television was the first channel to bring it’s viewers a successful dance talent show Boogie Woogie. While, Indian Idol took the country by storm bringing to the forefront some exceptional singing talent from across the nation, our upcoming show Dance Dance will prove to be a platform for aspiring couples to showcase their dancing skills while providing our audiences with yet another unique and exciting viewing alternative.”
Dance as a concept, the channel believes will work very well in the Indian context considering firstly that it transcends all boundaries and secondly as dance is an integral component of Bollywood. Interestingly, Dance Dance will not feature amateurs but semi-professionals who have had previous qualification in this vocation. With five theme rounds, they being folk, item, props, disco and solo, the show will showcase a total of 64 couples competing for the ‘Ultimate Dancing Couple.’ The panel of judges include eminent experts such as Saroj Khan, Vaibhavi Merchant and Terence Lewis.
The show has also incorporated for the first time in the history of Indian television the introduction of live commentary throughout the show in a unique competitive sports style. The commentators being Gita Kapur and Areez, who will enlighten the audience on the different forms of dance and verbalise the emotions experienced by the contestants and provide a critique on the judges decisions. The show will also offer sneak peaks of all the action behind the scenes.
Produced by Miditech, the show will eventually be followed by a result episode on Saturday, the timing of which is yet to be finalised. The entire show spans across 23 weeks with the tagline ‘Dance Ka Josh, Uda De Hosh.’ Like Indian Idol, this too will ensure interactivity and connect with the viewers with the selection and elimination of the dancers being voted by the audience.
The final winners will receive a contract work Rs 2 million from Sony and music video produced by a leading music company. The show will also have a segment for kids, where a junior dancing couple will be titled winners as well. All in all the package looks pacy, peppy and exciting; and with dancing being core to the Indian environment, Sony might just hit the jackpot this time.
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.
