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Zee Telugu to premiere ‘Adhirindi’- comedy reality show on 22 Dec
MUMBAI: Zee Telugu is all set to launch its latest comedy reality show Adhirindi on 22 December at 9 pm. The weekend show is a reality talent hunt for the next generation of comedy stars. Zee Comedy Show 2007, Zee Comedy Club 2011-12, Family Circus 2014, and Comedy Khiladilu 2017 are a few successful shows that have built a special place in the hearts of the Telugu audiences.
The cast of Adhirindi went LIVE with a curtain raiser on 15 December. This is a brand-new show where comedy superstars, and the audience will get together every weekend to elect a new generation of comic geniuses.
Sameera Sherief will debut as the anchor for the unique show that includes the popular Nagababu as the judge or shehensha. The participants, selected from auditions, will be split into four teams which will each be led by Dhanraj, Venu, RP and Chandra, where they perform comical skits to amuse the ‘shehensha’. Adding to its uniqueness, the team members will receive the opportunities of being exclusively hand-picked by the said team leaders, for the first-time-ever in the history of comedy shows in South India. The selection criterion would include electing individuals possessing distinct dialects from across the State, embracing the wit that every dialect has to offer.
The show comprises of a missed-call campaign where every episode will consist of audience voting along with the judges’ points that determine the course of ‘Adhirindi’. Starting from the 4th episode, votes of the audience will be displayed and updated on the leaderboard on a weekly basis, however, the scores of the jury will only be unveiled in the finale of the show.
The very first episode will witness Nagababu's daughter, Niharika Konidela as the walk-in judge. Heightening the entertainment quotient for the night, Raj Tarun made a special appearance for the promotions of his film Iddari Lokam Okkate, and performed in one of the skits that left the audience splits.
The champion of the show will be pronounced through a division of audience vote (50%) along with the votes of the judges (50%). The show guarantees to provide pure laughter and an enjoyable ride where we collectively embark on a journey of ushering in a new generation of comic sensations.
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.
