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UTV sets off ‘chain reaction’ with ‘Lakshya’ in the US market
MUMBAI: UTV which has recently established a distribution set up oversees in New York, London, Singapore, Hong Kong and all of Europe had its maiden release Lakshya released in the US markets on the weekend starting 18 June.
The production house feels its strategy to tie up with big chains in the US market has paid off with the film collecting as much as $380,000 within three days of its release.
“Films like Kal Ho Na Ho and Koi Mil Gaya opened in the North American market with fewer screens compared to Lakshya. Of the 60 screens that Lakshya opened, 18 were with the big chains thereby leading the migration away from the conventional Indian owned theatres where most of the Hindi films get released,” says an official release.
This trend took place in the UK about two years ago, when Bollywood films were shown only in Indian owned screens. But now 95 per cent of the prints of Indian movies in UK are with the big chains and that has impacted positively on the revenue stream.
UTV is the first company to be directly involved in North America with major mainstream Exhibitors such as AMC, Regal, Century, National, Cineplex, and Loews. This means they have direct access to over 32,000 screens across North America, adds the release.
Consequently the per- screen average collections of Lakshya in the first week stood at $6440 and ranked fourth among all the releases that weekend and ahead of Harry Potter. Major theatre chains in US are looking at this trend as an eye opener, as Indian films are giving them a far better yield per screen than many Hollywood movies.
UTV feels this will give big boost to its distribution plan for the upcoming Swades, which it has co-produced with the Oscar nominated director Ashutosh Gowariker.
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.
