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UPKL ties up with Screenox as cinema partner for season two
MUMBAI: The Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League has added extra muscle to its marketing push by partnering with Screenox as its official cinema partner for season two, which begins on 24 December 2025. The deal gives UPKL access to more than 900 branding sites across PVR INOX cinemas nationwide, offering the league a powerful spotlight in the run-up to its return.
The collaboration aims to boost awareness among cinema-goers across metros such as Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru, along with key tier 1 and tier 2 cities. Screenox, in turn, will tap into the league’s growing popularity to drive its own on-ground visibility in Uttar Pradesh and beyond.
Screenox founder Gautam Gulati, said the association felt like a natural fit. “Kabaddi has become one of the most passionately followed sports in our country, and UPKL’s dedication to nurturing talent at the grassroots aligns with our mission. We look forward to amplifying the league’s presence across our PVR INOX network.”
SJ Uplift Kabaddi CEO Aishwarya Gautam, welcomed the partnership, noting that it strengthens the league’s ambition to push kabaddi firmly into the mainstream. “Together, we hope to bring the excitement of the sport to a wider and more diverse audience while shaping a richer fan experience across the country.”
Season Two will be played at the Noida Indoor Stadium from 24 December, with live broadcasts on Zee Bollywood, &Pictures HD and Anmol Cinema 2, alongside streaming on Zee5. UPKL, owned and operated by SJ Uplift Kabaddi, attracted support from more than a dozen national brands in its inaugural season, setting the stage for a bigger, bolder second edition.
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.
