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Soumya Vilekar announces her exit from Planet Marathi OTT
Mumbai: Soumya Vilekar, the co-founder of the first-ever Marathi OTT app – Planet Marathi has parted ways and announced her exit from the organisation. Soumya has been associated with the brand since 2017 and played a key role in the forming and execution of the entire app right from its inception to the stage it has reached at present.
Planet Marathi as a brand was established in 2017 with a vision of creating a niche of Marathi films, arts and culture across the world map. The company forayed from film production after producing Marathi films like AB Aani CD, National award-winning Goshta EKa Paithanichi, and Chandramukhi to the streaming app business during pandemic.
At present, the company is currently valued at approximately Rs 200 crores while the app has a robust user base of more than one million internationally present in 100 countries. The venture was seed-funded by Vistas Media Capital Company, based out of Singapore. Soumya Vilekar who has contributed largely towards building the organisation and its growth is now stepping down from her established role as a co-founder.
Soumya and her son, Anitya Vilekar who served as directors of the organisation have resigned from the board of directors. While the compliances and statutory processes are going on, the effective date would be from 31 January 2024.
Soumya Vilekar shared, “It has been an exciting journey with Planet Marathi over the years. Building the brand and the organization right from scratch was an interesting learning experience .Working with the team, associates and everyone else in different projects for the entire tenure has been quite enriching. Besides being a Co-Founder and CFO, I also had the privilege of taking on various responsibilities and playing multiple roles similar to CXO as well. As this journey comes to an end, all I would say is that bigger things are in the offing. There is always a greater journey when one decides to be constantly in the process of creating new worlds. About moving forward, I will announce my next venture soon.”
Post her exit, Soumya has ambitious plans for a new venture that will focus on a media-based SaaS platform along with several other initiatives on the technology front. Soumya Vilekar is a published author, poet, entrepreneur & film producer. Additionally, she is in the field of powder metallurgy and holds a joint patent in the same. As a co-founder of Planet Marathi OTT, the world’s 1st exclusive Marathi over-the-top service, she aimed to take Marathi Entertainment to the global level. She is also the author of ‘The Mystic Journey’, ‘Life -Inspiration to Spiritualism’, & ‘Winds of Phillia’ , while her last book was ‘Suroor of the Soul’ .Her books have been listed on sites of “The Poetic Society” by TS Eliot, Wheelers – New Zealand & University bookshop Australia. Her involvement in the combination of art, literature and entertainment industry gives an impetus for for newer projects. She also holds a joint patent in metal powder manufacturing and heads the company of the same business.
She also works in the field of women empowerment by being a vocal contributor and a digital changemaker at WORLDPULSE which is a global non-profit organisation based at Portland Oregon, connecting more than 50,000 women across 190 nations.
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.
