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UTV hopes to sell its two international co-productions at Mipcom
MUMBAI: The Ronnie Screwvala-promoted production house UTV Asia hopes to sell and syndicate its two international co-productions Infinite Darcy and Bollywood Road at this year’s Mipcom – the world’s top film and programme market for television.
A company release informs that the pilots of the two shows are ready and previewing at Mipcom. UTV and their co-production partners say they have received good initial responses to the shows.
UTV also plans to forge co-productions in non-fiction programming with some UK and European producers and broadcasters, the release stated. In the past, UTV has produced non-fiction for CNN, BBC, Star, as well as some Canadian productions.
UTV’s major agenda at Cannes also includes finding partners for what it says is its upcoming Kids Channel in South Asia and acquiring programming formats for the channel. Interestingly, Screwvala in an interview to indiantelevision.com in mid-July, had said that he was still a year away from seriously looking at a kids channel. “Diwali 2004 is when we want to start kindling it. Once we really have our plans in place it won’t take more than three to six months after that to kickstart the channel, Screwvala had said at the time.
According to the release, UTV is also in negotiations for fiction, drama and studio-based formats with some broadcasters in Italy, Spain and South America.
Screwvala was quoted in the release as saying, “We are in active discussions with many in these spaces, and its good to meet all of them at one venue. We hope to get a step near finalizing many of what we are looking for, and even close a few of these discussions.”
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.
