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Star India elevates Kevin Vaz as CEO of regional entertainment channels
MUMBAI: Star India has promoted Kevin Vaz as CEO of regional entertainment channels. The regions include Maharashtra, Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Karnataka.
Previously, Vaz was CEO of South entertainment channels. He has spent 22 years serving Star India. Before heading the entertainment channels in Southern market, he was the business head of English cluster. In 2015, he was roped in to head the youth and entertainment channel, Channel V.
Vaz, who has also worked as Star India’s president ad sales, became head of English channels (FX, Fox Crime, Star World, Star World HD, Star World Premiere HD, Star Movies, Star Movies Action) and Star Jalsha and Jalsha Movies in March 2013.
Star India has a very large bouquet of regional entertainment channels which includes, Star Jalsha, Star Pravah, Jalsha Movies, Maa Movies with their HD versions, Maa Gold, Maa Music to name a few.
Regional channels are outpacing many other genres in terms of growth and all large broadcasters have or are planning to enhance their regional channel bouquets. Most are entering markets not with just a GEC, but with a combined offering across entertainment, movies, kids and music.
In FY18, however, the ad expenditure on Hindi GECs declined by 9 per cent while the regional channels saw a spike of 5.4 per cent, outlining the overall growth of the regional market in India, according to KPMG in India’s Media and Entertainment report 2018.
According to FICCI 2018 Re-imagining India’s M&E sector report, the top 10 channel genres accounted for 47 per cent of total ad volumes. Of these, 30 per cent of all ad volumes were on Hindi channels, while the balance 17 per cent were from Tamil, Telugu and Bangla.
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.
