News Headline
UTV pitches new innovative shows with channels
MUMBAI: Ronnie Screwvala’s UTV is ready with a series of new shows that are being pitched with channels. The list includes India’s first silent comedy sitcom and India’s first prime time animation serial.
The silent sitcom is being billed as a hilarious one-upmanship battle between two neighbours who relish putting one another into difficult situations resulting in a series of ‘slapstick’ humourous situations.
UTV’s show Kahin Naak Na Kat Jaye is being positioned as India’s first prime time animation serial. The serial is about three segments of society called Sharmnaks, Bandnaks, Khatarnaks with noses of varying lengths. In fact, the laws and norms of their societies revolve around the length and sizes of their noses.
Another comedy Shaam Dale Khidke Tale Tum Seeti Bajana Chod Do revolves around two families – the Shahs and the Mehras. The elders of the two families fight with each other even as the younger ones get romantically involved.
Another comedy show Mumbai Ki Maaya Muradabad Ki Vidya is a comedy serial about two sisters-in-law; one comes from a literate family whereas the other one is a matriculate who belongs to a rich family. The humourous situations arising from their interactions is a typical ‘money versus knowledge’ clash situation. The show is aimed at viewers from both metropolitan and non-metro audiences.
Prem Granth part II – Shaadi ke Baad is a romantic comedy. It is about a man who believes that romance has to be kept alive even after marriage. He seeks inspiration from a book called Prem Granth that has been passed on to him by his grandfather.
The ‘soap’ project that UTV had earlier christened as Holi has been renamed as Sangini. Directed by Sanjay Upadhyay with Sukesh as the creative director and Satyam Tripathi as the writer. The basic premise is about a star-crossed lovers. Mehta says: “To put it simply, it is the story about two brothers and two sisters, who albeit for different reasons, do not see eye to eye. The elder brother of the duo falls in love with the elder sister. But the wrong brother gets married to the girl and the situation between the two worsens.”
An ideal subject for a soaps, the serial also has a flashback track wherein the roots of the “enmity” between the mothers (who were fast friends at one time) is traced. While the youngsters are bunch of UTV regulars, Navneet Nishan and Reena Wadhwa are playing the older ladies. Both Nishan and Wadhwa are back on the screen after a hiatus along with Govind Namdeo.
Also read:
UTV pitching pilots for four new shows
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.
