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Tollywood to woo Telugu movie lovers
MUMBAI: After Hindi films, south Indian movies occupy the largest share of the Indian market and going by Deloitte, Andhra Pradesh happens to be one of the biggest contributors down south.
Looking to carve a niche in the Rs 1750 crore Telugu film industry aka Tollywood is the Tollywood Channel, a general entertainment channel focused on films, launched in August last year.
With nearly 250 films certified each year, the channel plans to differentiate itself by running regular film news and bulletins. “Andhra people are keen to know about the pre- and post- happenings of films but unfortunately, no one is bringing them such news except for certain magazines. Tollywood Cinema aims to bridge this gap,” says Tollywood Channel MD Seetaram Avvas.
Funded by construction and infrastructure major Agri Gold Group, which has invested close to Rs 100 crore in the channel, Tollywood Cinema has adopted an appointment viewing strategy targeting mainly females in the 15+ age group as well as youth interested in movies.
Current shows include a cookery show called Tollywood Vantakam, a dance show named Ragada and a celebrity cricket show. New shows in the pipeline include Brain of Tollywood with SP Balasubramanayam, Antakshari with singer Sunita and game show Ravamma Mahalaxmi with Ashwini. Two new sitcoms – Kishkinda and Chitram Bhalare Victram – are also lined up.
Presently, the focus is Telugu movies but the channel plans to foray into other language films as well. A relative newcomer, Tollywood Channel is confident of not only becoming popular but also generating a good turnover.
“The GEC market space is close to Rs 600 crores and we plan to become a Rs 100 crore channel within three years. For this year, the target is Rs 25 crores. We also plan to bring in some new fiction shows,” says Avvas.
Informing that the channel is presently following the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) 12 minute ad cap regulation, he adds: “We are eagerly looking forward to what the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) will be coming out with. The furore over TV ratings is a transitory setback and a temporary phase.”
As far as advertisers go, the Tatas are already on board and discussions are on with the likes of Hindustan Unilever, PG, RB GSK and Cadbury among others. A 30 second slot would cost anywhere between Rs 4000 and Rs 5000. Mediahouse Entertainment is handling adsales while creative is being taken care of in-house.
Available with MSOs such as Hathway and Digicable, plans are being firmed up for availability on the DTH platform.
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.
