News Broadcasting
Star gives a sneak preview of its Oscar plans
Star Movies seems to have stolen a march over chief rival HBO in its bid to generate some Oscar buzz. Though the awards are a while away (25 March to be exact), the promo campaign has already begun.
The move has added import considering that HBO is planning a big Oscar blitz of its own. Of course Star Movies has the rights to the “Big One” – exclusive live relay of the awards ceremony.
In a move clearly aimed at attracting advertising, as well as generating media awareness for the event the channel has started sending boxes to media and advertising outlets which convey the impression that a replica of the statuette is contained within. The taglines being “Only one movie channel has it live!” and “Will your brand be there?”
The 74th Annual Academy Awards will be shown live on 25 March at 6:30 am with a repeat at 9:30 pm. Whoopi Goldberg, an Oscar winner herself for ‘Ghost’, will be the MC. The nominations will be shown live on 12 February at 7 pm with a repeat on 16 Feb at 5:30 pm. For India, the focal point of interest will be whether ‘Lagaan’ gets a look-in the Foreign Language category.
In the build-up to awards night, from 1-24 March the channel will showcase films that have won or have been nominated for the awards in previous years. These include Philadelphia which gave Tom Hanks his first Oscar, Thelma & Louise with Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon, American Beauty which won the best picture Oscar a couple of years ago and the Tom Cuise starrer Jerry Maguire.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
