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Star Maa: ‘Refreshed’ channel to offer MEK, Desamudurlu & fiction shows
MUMBAI: MAA TV, a Star India portfolio channel, announced its new Brand position and Refresh along with a dynamic new logo, brand tagline and channel pneumonic theme track at a media conference. Star Maa is poised for bigger and better – be it with shows, look & feel, audiences, reach and impact.
Megastar Chiranjeevi unveiled the new logo and the brand tagline. Maa TV has now become Star Maa. The logo’s new identity is gorgeously red with the intrinsically bold Maa written under it. The color red symbolizes prosperity, optimism, celebration, desire, purity, passion, love and holiness. The logo reflects two very powerful brands and promises a strong collaboration.
Another highlight was when Star Maa’s main leads came onstage dressed in their fiction show characters along with Megastar Chiranjeevi to jointly announce the new tagline of the Channel… “Ade Bandham … Sarikotta Uttejam” (Same bonding … New inspiration).
Star Maa has aggressive and forward-looking plans of growth and expansion. It has plans to consolidate its position in the Telugu market and achieve dominant thought, content and image leadership.
Leveraging the Big brand refresh, Star Maa is also launching MEK on Monday, 13 February at 9.30pm with megastar Chiranjeevi as the host. Another non-fiction comedy show, Desamudurlu, is being launched on Friday, 17 February at 9.30pm, These two shows will be a great addition to the recently launched four promising and popular prime time fiction shows — Koyilamma, Kumkuma Puvvu, Lakshmi Kalyanam and Malleswari. Kumkuma Puvvu is currently the No 1 Telugu show nationally and poised to stay at the top in the foreseeable future.
Star India CEO – south region Kevin Vaz said, “Star India’s acquisition of Maa was a testimony to STAR wanting to build and grow in this market. With the brilliant synergy of the strengths of Maa and STAR, we believe, we have come a fair distance in the last few months but we are now poised to take a leap.”
“Keeping tune with changing aspirations and expectations of audiences is the key to long-term success. Programming innovation, content variety, and modernizing the entire packaging and quality of the channel through Star Maa brand refresh is a sign of our commitment to the Telugu people, globally,” Vaz added.
Chiranjeevi, addressing the audience, said: “I have been a part of Maa TV from its inception and this channel has been known to have vibrant, innovative, pleasant and interactive programming. The channel has been close to your hearts and you have respected and nurtured this emotional connection. With this refresh of the channel’s ID, logo and signature tune as well as a power-packed line up of new shows, I can only see Star Maa continuing to climb the charts of success.”
Maa business head Alok Jain said: “Our aim is to make Star Maa more current and relevant to the viewers. We are crafting a philosophy that respects the spirit of the Telugu people across the globe. Our story-telling develops linkages with the dreams to create an entertainment brand that is consumed by the entire family. We educate, uplift and usher in new thinking. Every Telugu woman and man, who is optimistic and growth-oriented, yet rooted in home and state, is our key audience. Our aim is to be innovative, revolutionary and original in every aspect of our business and hopes to deliver best in this journey.”
He added: “The Star Maa Refresh is about inspiring people. At every level, we aim to be inspired storytellers who will influence and persuade the Telugu viewer to improve and enhance his dreams and aspirations. The thought behind the words “Ade Bandham … Sarikotta Uttejam” reverberates through programming and through every visual element of the channel.”
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.
