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Zulfiqar Khan appointed as Group COO, Balaji TeleFilms
Mumbai: Television production company Balaji TeleFilms which also owns SVOD platform ALTBalaji has appointed industry veteran Zulfiqar Khan as their new group chief operating officer (COO).
The media conglomerate announced this news through an internal mail to its employees. Khan will be responsible for the overall success of the company’s profit and loss of operations, content, marketing, and distribution deals, it said on Thursday.
He will replace Nachiket Pantvaidya who recently joined Asianet New Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd as the managing director. In this new role, Zulfiqar Khan will directly report to Balaji TeleFilms MD Shobha Kapoor.
Zulfiqar comes with nearly two decades of experience in broadcast & digital media companies. He began his career in 1999 with Star India and spent over sixteen years serving in distinct roles. In 2015, he moved to Eros Now as business Head and CRO for Eros Now. His last stint with HOOQ as managing director saw him leading strategy for the premium video-on-demand service.
Commenting on the development, Balaji Telefilms joint managing director, Ekta Kapoor, said, “We are ecstatic to welcome Zulfiqar aboard. His rich experience is sure to take Balaji Telefilms Ltd. to newer heights. Zulfiqar will be a driving factor for Balaji’s vision of shaping and defining its leadership in the ever evolving Entertainment sector”.
Balaji Telefilms managing director Shobha Kapoor said, “We have great expectations from Zulfiqar. I am sure his robust experience coupled with Balaji Telefilms Ltd. proven business excellence across production and distribution capabilities will create significant value for us”.
Talking about his new role, Khan said, “I am excited to be working with Ekta and to take on this challenging journey at Balaji Telefilms Ltd. which is a pioneer in content creation across platforms as well as one of the top digital entertainment platforms in the country. I am looking forward to a remarkable journey with the organization as we chart a successful growth story for the brand across verticals, in the coming years.”
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.
