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Zee TV to air new show ‘Mithai’ on 4 April
Mumbai: Zee TV is set to telecast a new fiction show “Mithai” starting 4 April at 7 p.m, every Monday to Saturday. Produced by Arvind Babbal Productions, the show is set against the backdrop of Mathura.
The lead role is played by actor Debatamma Saha, who essays the titular character. The male lead opposite her is actor Aashish Bhardhwaj. The show will take viewers into the by-lanes of small town named Jatipura, where barely four shops exist today that prepare a unique traditional sweet called ‘Aloo Jalebi’ which is served as the ‘Mahaprasad’ at the Mukharvindh Temple. “The show is an amalgamation of a love story and a family drama tied together inside a box of traditional Indian sweets,” said the statement.
The title track of the show is sung by Sa Re Ga Ma Pa contestant Sanjana Bhat.
“With ‘Mithai’ we want to infuse our early primetime with the positivity of this vivacious girl from Jatipura who wants to spread smiles with her late father’s unique traditional recipe of Aloo Jalebis,” said Zee TV business head Aparna Bhosle. “Her journey of building a relationship with her husband who deeply resents the very concept of sweets will be an intriguing story for the audiences to follow. We have shot extensively in Mathura to capture the true cultural essence and the authentic backdrop of our narrative. We look forward to yet another successful collaboration with writer-producer Arvind Babbal with the show.”
“After presenting audiences with a heart-warming narrative like ‘Kyun Rishton Mein KattiBatti, our next show with Zee TV revolves around a girl from Jatipura who wants to spread joy through her late father’s traditional recipe of Aloo Jalebis, a legacy she refuses to let go of,” said producer Arvind Babbal. “To authentically bring alive the cultural backdrop of the show, we have a lot of crew and cast members from the region and that has helped infuse our narrative with a lot of cultural nuances. We have recently completed an extensive outdoor schedule in Mathura.”
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.
