News Headline
Star Plus reinvents its weekend programming with ‘Dance +’ season 2
MUMBAI: With an aim to give more space and importance to fiction programming, Star Plus redefined its fiction programming by airing its primetime shows on all seven days from Monday to Sunday since February. All the shows between the 8.00 pm to 10.30 pm slots were aired on Saturdays and Sundays as well. The channel wanted to aggressively promote and back its fiction programming and this is why its reality show Nach Baliye season 8 has been kept on hold for at least two months.
Also the channel had already extended its early primetime slot by stretching all the shows slotted between 5 pm to 7.30 pm to all seven days. Mohi – Ek Khawab Ke Khilne Ki Kahani, Mere Agne Mein, Suhani Si Ek Ladki, Saath Nibhana Saathithya and Yeh Hai Mohabbatein.
However starting 2 July, Star Plus will revive its non-fiction programming with its new offering Dance + season 2. The talent hunt produced by Frames Productions will be aired on Saturday and Sunday at the 8 pm time band.
Speaking with Indiantelevision.com, Frames Production founder Ranjeet Thakur said, “We received a good response for season one even though it was our first experience with the show. This time around, the second season will take the show to a higher level. The talent in this country is exceptional and audiences will see that in this season.”
For this season the makers have roped in talented choreographer Remo D’Souza who will don the hat of a super judge. Moreover, the show will have three mentors Dharmesh Yelande, Shakti Mohan and Punit Pathak who will be teaching the contestants and choreographing the acts. “This season we have Punit in the show as Sumeet Nagdev has some other engagements so he said no for this season”, informed Thakur.
The makers have done auditions in 20 cities including Lucknow, Jaipur, Ranchi, Assam and all the metros and mini metros cities.
Dance+ will be a 26-episode show of one hour duration each. “There will be no change in the format as such, except we are moving to a one hour show on Saturday and Sunday, while during the earlier season it was a two hour show only on Sunday.”
The channel has roped in Hyundai as the presenting sponsor and co-powered by Cera and Oppo.
Star Plus’ new non-fiction offering, Dance + season 2 will be pitched against Zee TV’s Tashan-e-ishq, Balaji’s new show on Colors Kawach at 8 pm on Saturday and Sunday, Sony TV’s Aadlat, Life OK’ s Savdhaan India and Sab TV’s Tarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma.
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.
