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The Content Hub: Breathing Life Into Cinema
Mumbai: The Content Hub event, organised and conceptualised by the Indiantelevision.com Group, was held on 25 April at The Lalit, Mumbai.
The fifth panel discussion was on the topic – Breathing Life into Cinema and was led by film critic journalist & author Mayank Shekhar, and the panelists were Cinepolis head of film distribution & programming Mayank Shroff, IN10 Media Network CEO – film division Vivek Krishnani, film producer Sunir Kheterpal and Zee Studios head-content Ashima Avasthi Chaudhuri.
Shekhar questioned the panelists about how content in cinema evolved, and where one finds themselves learning and learning in this respective field.
Shroff emphasized, “We have seen drastic, drastic changes post-pandemic, of course now everything’s pre covid and post covid. So we’ve started releasing alternate content – Japanese. And not only Japanese but concerts or Korean films. The demand is, it has come and these movies are specifically working in the original language.”
Krishnani pointed out, “You saw certain kinds of content that kind of was the flavour of the season. And now the content, you see the flavour of content changing, also, because the audience is changing. And you’ve seen the audience also change their likes and dislikes, primarily now pushed faster because of the pandemic. So they are getting more and more difficult to please. And that’s what I think we’re here to discuss today is about what we can do to actually get this audience back into the cinemas?”
Kheterpal was of the view, “We don’t know what is going to work. But we keep on hearing these things. Because that’s how you are as human beings, naturally we are reacting to something which is happening around us. So I am a believer in the fact that we don’t know what time what will break through. What is happening is everybody’s looking for stories. It was far easier. 10 years back, you could find stories from anywhere in the world. But then one thing works. Everybody goes to that convenience and tries to find stories. So I think as an industry, we are becoming more aligned with what is happening all around the world.”
Chaudhuri elucidated, “We are literally restarting everything and all our learning from the time we’ve reopened, so that goes for cinema too. And I’m sure these guys will all agree that it is a complete restart.”
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.
