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Star Sports launches new anthem as Vivo PKL Season 5 nears finale
MUMBAI: Star Sports, India’s leading sports broadcaster, launched Doompak Doompak, a new anthem dedicated to Vivo Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) as the season five finale draws close. The anthem is created by Star Sports’ creative team and directed by Amol Patil.
Celebrating the Kabaddi mania that has gripped sports fans across the country, the anthem, released along with a music video, is quirky, vivid and features leading Kabaddi stars.
With a vision to make Kabaddi accessible and engaging for fans across India, Star Sports has built a strong narrative throughout the season, with a host of innovative and appealing marketing campaigns.
The new anthem, Doompak Doompak, is energetic, fast-paced and invites fans to participate in the ongoing excitement for the last few matches of the season. Penned by renowned Bollywood lyricist, Amitabh Bhattacharya, the lyrics takes fans into the journey of season 5 and the preparation for the final battle among the 6 qualified teams. The anthem is composed by leading music composer Ram Sampath.
For season 5 of Vivo PKL, Star Sports moved away from the traditional campaigns to a celebration anthem. The film showcases players, referees, coaches and fans in an all-new avatar, celebrating the spirit of the sport, as the finale of a magnificent season of the game draws closer. The film is scripted in 4 languages – Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Bengali, to ensure that it reaches sports fans across the nation.
Season 5 of Vivo PKL has received an impressive response over 3 months, and now as the Playoffs are approaching – the penultimate phase of the league – the campaign aims to stir more excitement into the mix.
Vivo PKL Season 5 Playoffs begin from 23 October to 26 October, from 7:30 PM onwards and the final takes place on 28 October in Chennai. Fans can catch each match live on the Star Sports network.
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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.
