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Vijay TV updates primetime band with new shows
MUMBAI: Star’s Tamil entertainment channel Vijay TV has lined up two primetime shows for August. Daily soap Kanmani will go air from 16 August, while sitcom Thillu Mullu will be launched on 23 August.
Kanmani replaces one of the most popular Tamil soaps Kavyanjali produced by Balaji Telefilms. Both the new shows will be running Monday through Thursday. Kanmani stars popular faces in Tamil entertainment, including Charuhassan, Vijay Babu and Priya Mahalakshmi.
Kanmani taps the Saas-Bahu genre and the story revolves around Kanmani, the eldest daughter-in-law of an upper class joint family. Thillu Mullu, which represents comedy genre in Vijay’s primetime line up, has been positioned in the 7:30 pm slot. Sunil Tagore – Aasai Thambi duo directed Thillu Mullu stars Mouli, Y.G. Mahendran, Pallavi, Rajashri, Oormila and Kutti Padmini.Since the last couple of months Vijay TV has been making an all-out effort to steal the thunder from rival channels Sun, Raj and Jaya in the prime time segment. A channel exective claims that Vijay has reached the number two position in the primetime segment. He attributes this feat to a change in its primetime programming strategy.
“While other Tamil general entertainment channels air soaps in the Monday – Thursday 9 to 10 slot , we rely on the comedy genre to fight the competition in this time band and we have been doing it quite successfully,” the Vijay TV executive told Indiantelevision.com.
The channel launched a string of comedy shows, anchored by popular faces in the Tamil entertainment, in June. According to Vijay TV programming head Suresh Iyer, the channel will be soon re-launching its popular reality show Kadhai Alla Nijam in a new format. He says the focus is on the entertainment segment and the channel has no plans to try its hand on news telecast. As per the latest TAM figures that represent all Tamil Nadu 4 plus ABC C&S,
Vijay TV holds 4.6 per cent channel share.
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.
