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Zee Tamil resumes shoots; to air original content from 27 July
NEW DELHI: Complying with the directives issued by the Tamil Nadu State government, Zee Tamil has resumed shoots of the fiction shows. The viewers of Zee Tamil can expect original content and hit the resume button on the journeys of their favourite characters from 27 July.
As an initiative to spread cheer and positivity among their viewers, Zee Tamil has also launched a digital and on-air comeback campaign with the tagline ‘Idhaythal inaivom, idhaiyum kadapom’– which translates to – if we come together in spirit, this too shall be overcome.
The utmost priority for Zee Tamil as the channel resumes shoot is to ensure the safety of all personnel and actors on set. Several measures have been put in place to ensure the same. A team of safety experts is brought in to sanitize and disinfect the sets, prior to shoots. This is a 9-hour process that is conducted prior to shoot schedule. In its efforts to ensure that every measure is taken to mitigate risks, a government approved team is invited to the sets to conduct a thorough inspection once the sanitisation procedure is complete.
Before entering and leaving the set each day, provisions have been made for mandatory thermal screening for all members of the cast and crew. The shoots will strictly be held indoors and in a closed environment with a maximum of 60 persons present at any given time. Safety kits with soaps, sanitizers gloves and masks have been made available to members on the set. When not in front of the camera, actors will mandatorily wear face masks on the set. To further reduce risk factors, the actors will do their own make up in order to avoid unnecessary contact with other members from the crew. Arrangements for food that is cooked in a hygienic environment will also be made available at the sets.
From 27 July, the fiction shows will be airing six days a week in new timings:
Rettai Roja – 1.30 – 2 pm
Endrendum Punnagai – 2 – 2.30 pm
Raja Magal – 2.30 – 3 pm
Neethaane Enthan Ponvasantham – 7 – 8 pm
Gokulathil Seethai – 8 – 8.30 pm
Yaaradi Nee Mohini – 8.30 – 9 pm
Sembaruthi – 9 – 9.30 pm
Oru Oorula Oru Rajakumari – 9.30 – 10 pm
Sathya – 10 – 10.30 pm
“During the lockdown, the channel has shown tremendous initiative to come up with innovative and engaging content for its viewers. This has helped establish a continued connect between our viewers and their favourite stars while shoots were on pause. We are thankful to our ardent viewers for their continued support during this time and eagerly look forward to bringing to them original and exciting new content”, said Zee Entertainment Enterprises south cluster head Siju Prabhakaran.
During the lockdown, the channel also took the initiative to provide financial aid to nearly 400 daily wage earners from the television industry to address their financial challenges.
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.
