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Star Pravah to launch ‘Dhabal-Ek Taas Time Paas’
MUMBAI: Marathi general entertainment channel, Star Pravah, is gearing up for a new show format which draws upon Marathi folk theatre, where the narrator-cum-actor (sutradhar) speaks to audiences and brings up socio-political issues in a fun way.
Called Dhabal – Ek Taas Time Paas, the show is set to replace the soon-to-end The Supriya Sachin Show, 12 May onwards. Marathi actor Swapnil Joshi will play host, narrator and actor in the show that will air every Monday and Tuesday at 9:30 pm. ‘Dhabal’ in Marathi means a place for youngsters to hang out. Dhabal – Ek Taas Time Paas will be a situational comedy with elements of fiction and non-fiction, and will discuss contemporary issues in the form of a skit.
According to Shrirang Godbole, chairman and MD of Indian Magic Eye, which has produced and conceptualised the show, “The root of this show is in the folk theatre format in Maharashtra, in which narrators speak to audiences and bring up political issues.” Godbole is the scriptwriter-producer-director of Dhabal – Ek Taas Time Paas, and has four other writers assisting him.
Programming head Jayesh Patil of Star Pravah, says, “This is a fresh concept and we are looking at bringing it as a seasonal show. This way, it gives good space to experiment with content and genre.”
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Dhabal – Ek Taas Time Paas will run for 26 episodes, following which, Star Pravah plans to come out with another new show to replace the one-hour slot.
Shooting is in full swing at Filmcity, Goregaon, Mumbai and nearly four episodes have been canned. A studio equipped with nine HD cameras is used twice a week for the show; two episodes are shot in one day and the second day is used for rehearsals. One hundred and thirty two people are part of the production team working on the show. The set has been designed by freelancer Shyam Bhatia while costumes have been designed by Shrirang’s wife, Deepa Godbole.
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Sources peg the cost of the entire show at around Rs 4 crore, with the set itself costing approximately Rs 35 lakh and cost of producing each episode about Rs 15 lakh.
On the cards is a big marketing plan that will soon unfold across the state, including contests inviting people to attend a Dhabal organized by Star Pravah in Mumbai, Pune, Nashik and Kolhapur with characters modeled on the show taking up pertinent issues. Winners will get to watch Dhaba- Ek Taas Time Paas live and understand its format. The contests are slated to begin in a couple of days and will be conducted in various auditoria. Presently, the focus is on the digital space, though closer to the launch, radio and print campaigns will be rolled out. 3 May onwards, ads will do the rounds of other Marathi channels.
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.
