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Tag: Smriti Irani

  • India at the Chaupal as News18 sets the stage for big voices and bold views

    India at the Chaupal as News18 sets the stage for big voices and bold views

    MUMBAI: The nation’s most powerful voices are pulling up a seat at the table or rather, the Chaupal. News18 India, the country’s No. 1 Hindi news channel, is gearing up to host its flagship summit Chaupal 2025 – Ab Bharat Ki Baari on October 16, 2025, in New Delhi.

    For years, News18 India Chaupal has been where India’s ideas meet India’s icons, a melting pot of politics, policy, and perspective. This year, the conversation turns to self-reliance and global ambition, as India continues to make waves across sectors, from infrastructure to innovation.

    The lineup reads like the guest list for democracy’s most high-profile brainstorming session. On the dais: Nitin Gadkari, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Sachin Pilot, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Jayant Chaudhary, and Smriti Irani. Adding to the mix are Tenjem Imna Along from Nagaland, K. Kavitha, Imran Masood, and Mukhtar Naqvi ensuring every corner of Bharat has a voice in the dialogue.

    But Chaupal isn’t just about politics. It’s a culture of conversation and the guest list proves it. Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev, actor Bobby Deol, South African High Commissioner Dr. Anil Sooklal, German Ambassador Dr. Philipp Ackermann, French ambassador Thierry Mathou, and artistes like Suzanne Bernert, pianist Andreas König, Odissi dancer Sharon Lowen, and filmmaker Rafael Stemplewski will bring their unique global and cultural perspectives to the mix.

    “News18 India Chaupal serves as a premier platform for impactful dialogue and national discourse,” said Network18 Group chief strategy officer, Puneet Singhvi. “It brings together the country’s top voices to strengthen governance, democracy, and nation-building.”

    Adding to that Network18 (Broadcast) and MD, A+E Networks | TV18 CEO Avinash Kaul said, “Staying true to its legacy of fearless journalism, Chaupal unites voices that shape India’s narrative. It continues to evolve as one of India’s most distinguished thought leadership forums.”

    Since its inception, Chaupal has been more than a summit, it’s become a symbol of meaningful exchange. The 2025 edition promises high-decibel debates, insightful exchanges, and the kind of unscripted moments that remind viewers why democracy thrives on dialogue.

    So, whether you’re a policy wonk, a culture buff, or just someone who loves a good debate, mark your calendars. News18 India Chaupal 2025 goes live on 16 October, from 11 am onwards bringing India’s biggest names under one roof to ask, answer, and argue what’s next for Bharat.

  • Star Plus puts dads in the parenting picture

    Star Plus puts dads in the parenting picture

    MUMBAI: Who says only mums can multitask? Star Plus has just served a reality check on that stereotype with its new brand film Not Just Moms, launched at FICCI Frames 2025.

    The film champions equal parenting, reminding viewers that raising a child isn’t a one-woman show but a team effort involving fathers, families, and society.

    At the heart of the campaign is a familiar face, Tulsi, the beloved matriarch from Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Her return in a refreshed avatar adds a nostalgic twist to a modern message, underscoring that shared responsibility at home is the ultimate family value.

    A Star Plus spokesperson said, “With Not Just Moms, we want to challenge the age-old idea that mothers alone carry the burden of parenting. Stories have the power to change mindsets, and Tulsi’s comeback embodies that change.”

    The campaign’s unveiling set the tone for a lively discussion between Ekta Kapoor and Smriti Irani at FICCI Frames on Revolutionising Content: Women, Television, and 25 Years of Kyunki…

    Known for blending cultural resonance with mass entertainment, Star Plus continues to use storytelling as a mirror to society. With Not Just Moms, the channel reminds India that when it comes to parenting, teamwork truly makes the dream work.

  • Hindi cinema stars light up Ficci Frames’ silver jubilee

    Hindi cinema stars light up Ficci Frames’ silver jubilee

    MUMBAI: Lights, camera, silver jubilee! Ficci Frames, Asia’s leading media and entertainment conclave, is rolling out the red carpet for its 25th edition in Mumbai on 7–8 October 2025.

    The milestone gathering, themed “A silver jubilee of vision, voices & creativity”, will be inaugurated by minister of state for information & broadcasting L Murugan and Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

    Hindi cinema icons Anil Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Smriti Irani and Ayushmann Khurrana will headline the two-day event, joining an impressive line-up of industry leaders including Aroon Purie, Sam Balsara, Sameer Nair, Ekta Kapoor, Siddharth Roy Kapur, and filmmakers Hansal Mehta, Shoojit Sircar and Kiran Rao.

    The conclave will host fireside chats, policy sessions and showcases, with global heavyweights such as Netflix’s Monika Shergill, Amazon Prime Video’s Gaurav Gandhi and Warner Bros Discovery’s Arjun Nohwar adding international clout.

    Adding a global spark, a Russian delegation led by Moskino and the Moscow export center will participate, opening new doors for co-productions and cultural partnerships.

    With states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi and Jharkhand pitching in through policy and showcase sessions, this silver jubilee promises not just glitz but game-changing ideas for the next chapter of India’s media and entertainment story.
     

  • Power play Delhi hosts grand finale of News18 Sheshakti 2025

    Power play Delhi hosts grand finale of News18 Sheshakti 2025

    MUMBAI: When women take the wheel, the road to Bharat’s future looks smoother and far more inclusive. After a dazzling debut in Mumbai, News18 Sheshakti 2025, presented by Lions International, is set for its grand finale in New Delhi on August 21 under the theme “From Breaking Barriers to Building Bharat”.

    What began as a regional showcase has quickly grown into one of India’s most anticipated forums for female leadership. The third national edition will see over 30 trailblazers from policymakers and entrepreneurs to actors, athletes, and activists sharing how they’re not just breaking ceilings but laying down the foundation for a stronger, self-reliant India.

    The power-packed speaker line-up reads like a roll call of influence: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, former union minister Smriti Irani, British high commissioner Lindy Cameron, JNU vice-chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, Supreme Court justice Hima Kohli, actors Kriti Sanon and Sanya Malhotra, playback legend Kavita Krishnamurti, racing driver Mira Erda, and Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, among others. From boardrooms to battlefields, campuses to concert halls, the conversations promise to span every frontier.

    The scale matches the ambition. The initiative has already clocked two impactful national editions, with the 2025 Mumbai showcase marking the start of its 25th anniversary celebrations. Now, the capital takes centre stage as women from across industries share stories of innovation, grit, and transformation whether it’s shaping policy, building businesses, enabling grassroots change, or disrupting global sectors like AI, defence and healthcare.

    “News18 Sheshakti has always been a platform to celebrate, empower and elevate dynamic women,” said Network18 (broadcast) CEO Avinash Kaul. His colleague Network18 Group chief strategy officer Puneet Singhvi added that women today are “leading in business, sports, education and beyond shaping New Bharat with inclusivity, compassion, and courage.”

    From 11 AM on 21 August, the stage will be buzzing with bold voices and big visions. If Mumbai was the warm-up act, Delhi promises the full crescendo, an ode to the women scripting Bharat’s next chapter, one breakthrough at a time.

  • Kyunki comeback: Star Plus breaks promo, revealing Tulsi’s return

    Kyunki comeback: Star Plus breaks promo, revealing Tulsi’s return

    MUMBAI: Star Plus is dialling up the hype, drama—and the nostalgia—with the long-awaited return of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, 25 years after it first lit up Indian TV screens. The Hindi GEC dropped a two-part promo teasing the show’s revival, complete with a modern makeover, new characters, and a familiar voice that fans won’t forget.

    The promo opens with a family pitstop at a roadside dhaba. As the iconic title track of Kyunki plays, the father hums along, sparking memories of TV dinners and shared family moments. The conversation turns meta as the son mentions the show’s comeback, prompting speculation from all members—until the voice of Tulsi Virani breaks in.

    The second half of the teaser reveals Tulsi herself, watering a Tulsi plant and declaring: “We’ve had a 25-year relationship. It’s time we meet again.” With that, she greets viewers with a namaste and a promise: Kyunki returns 29 July at 10:30 pm on Star Plus and JioHotstar.

    “This isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a bold new chapter,” said Sumanta Bose, cluster head – Star Plus & Star Utsav, calling the series “an iconic title with a deep-rooted legacy, now reimagined for today’s audience.”

    The marketing engine is already in full swing. JioStar’s sales team has roped in P&G’s Tide as presenting sponsor, with Colgate and Fortune Soyabean Oil as co-powered by brands. Fortune Chakki Atta has signed on as digital sponsor.

    With buzz already building and brand deals locked in, Kyunki is poised to once again rule the living room.

    You can watch the promo here.

  • ABP News honours nation’s trailblazers at inaugural Newsmaker Awards

    ABP News honours nation’s trailblazers at inaugural Newsmaker Awards

    MUMBAI: Not all heroes need a stage or a spotlight; some change the world one story, one headline at a time.

    Long before TedX talks captured our imagination, newspapers and their fearless journalists were the true torchbearers of change.

    Honouring this legacy of storytelling and innovation, ABP News proudly hosted the inaugural Newsmaker of the Year Awards in New Delhi – a glittering evening celebrating the trailblazers who are shaping India’s destiny. From revolutionaries in technology to visionaries in social impact, the event recognised the unsung heroes whose extraordinary efforts inspire millions and redefine progress for the nation.

    The awards spotlighted individuals from fields as diverse as business, sports, entertainment, education, social reform, health, technology, environment, art, and culture. Additionally, digital influencers who have sparked conversations and driven progress were honoured, reflecting the evolving landscape of societal impact.

    The evening saw prominent chief guests, including Union minister of parliamentary affairs, Kiren Rijiju; Minister of petroleum and natural gas, Hardeep Singh Puri; and former minister of education, women and child development, Smriti Irani, who added gravitas to the occasion.

    Aligned with ABP News’ philosophy, ‘Aapko Rakhe Aage,’ the awards celebrated the spirit of innovation and perseverance. Each honouree embodied the transformative power of individuals in shaping public discourse, redefining excellence, and driving meaningful change.

    Audiences can witness the celebration of these remarkable individuals in an exclusive broadcast on ABP News, Sunday, 29 December 2024, from 6 to 7 pm.

    Don’t miss this momentous event that honours the visionaries reshaping India.

  • IAA’s ‘Voice of Change’ third edition summit to be held at Google HQ in Gurgaon

    IAA’s ‘Voice of Change’ third edition summit to be held at Google HQ in Gurgaon

    Mumbai: The International Advertising Association’s India Chapter (IAA) is hosting the third edition of its Voice of Change summit on 11 November at the Google office in Gurugram. Through this event, the IAA is championing the mindful portrayal of gender across all forms of content. Google India & Youtube are the presenting partners, while UNICEF the Knowledge Partner and TVS are the Associate Partner for this event.

    Content shapes consumers’ mindsets. And because it is consumed across geographies, demographics, and platforms, it is important to sensitise people to the way gender is portrayed. The third edition of the IAA: Voice of Change summit is set to be an inspiring day of debates, discussions, and dialogues for policymakers, advertisers, brand custodians, content creators, and communication specialists to recognise their power in driving balanced and inclusive portrayals of gender roles in media for enduring change.

    Through discussions with a diverse range of content creators from advertising/digital/film backgrounds, the event will shed light on the power of imagery and narrative in shaping perception of gender roles.

    Former Minister of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), government of India & actor Smriti Irani and actor Taapsee Pannu are among the speakers who will be part of the half-day event.

    The Free Press Journal, IAA India Chapter & president, Abhishek Karnani said, “Among the various initiatives undertaken by the IAA in the country, we have been pushing the needle around gender-sensitive communication across platforms. The ‘Voice of Change’ movement is our flagship property in this space. Through this event this year, we will push the cause across the industry with a diverse list of speakers covering advertising, marketing and media.”

    IAA Women Empowerment Committee chairperson, Nina Elavia Jaipuria added, “Content is a mirror to society. As content creation gets democratised and viewership grows, it is imperative to create awareness and sensitize creators towards a positive, inclusive and gender equitable portrayal in their narratives. At the third edition of the IAA ‘Voice of Change’ summit, we have Smriti Irani, as a keynote speaker & also joining us is actor Taapsee Pannu, who is known for pushing gender stereotype in the roles she has played. Along with them is an illustrious panel of speakers from the advertising, marketing and media community, we continue to actively challenge stereotypes across the content industry to drive enduring change.”

    IAA Women Empowerment Committee co-chair, Megha Tata, further stated, “The first edition of Voice of Change focussed on advertising. The second year added TV & OTT content. This year we are adding Digital content to the conversation. We know that the level of content being consumed is at an all-time high on digital and social platforms and it is important that gender stereotyping is addressed on digital and social content also. I’d like to thank UNICEF and Google for partnering with us in helping make a much-needed shift in the perceptions of gender.”

  • NDTV’s Indian of the Year Awards: A tribute to India’s unsung heroes

    NDTV’s Indian of the Year Awards: A tribute to India’s unsung heroes

    Mumbai: NDTV’s Indian of the Year award, held this year after a gap of several years, was a celebration of the women of India, the millions who have driven real change and who contribute to the have the power to transform India.

    Union minister Smriti Irani, former banker Naina Lal Kidwai, squadron leader Nikita Malhotra, para-athlete Suvarna Raj, tennis icon Sania Mirza, and Delhi’s first Uber driver Shanno Begum received the award on behalf of the women of India.

    The glittering evening saw the biggest faces – from top politicians, and business leaders to film and sports personalities – celebrating the exceptional and paying homage to the unsung.

    India’s Heroes Award went to the team of rat miners involved in the heroic rescue of 41 trapped in a collapsed Uttarakhand tunnel last year. One of the most moving moments of the evening was when actor Sunny Deol walked up to the team and hugged them, wiping tears.

    Vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar started the celebrations by giving away the first few awards, including the Science Icons of the Year, which went to the ISRO team behind the successful Chandrayaan and the Aditya-L1 missions.

    In his address, the vice president urged the media, as a key pillar of society, to contain the “freefall of misinformation”. Using the Citizenship Amendment Act CAA as an example, he said it is a reprieve for persecuted people and does not deprive anybody of citizenship, but a different impression was created. The media, said Mr Dhankhar, must play its role and tackle misinformation.

    Vikrant Massey, who delivered a stellar performance in the superhit film’12th Fail’, won the ‘Actor Of The Year’, the ‘Sports Performance Of The Year’ went to the Indian Women’s cricket team and was awarded by Suvarna Raj (para-athlete & motivational speaker) and Sania Mirza. Sunny Deol, who made a grand comeback last year with his blockbuster-hit ‘Gadar 2’ a remake of his 2001 film, won the ‘Entertainer Of The Year’. The heroes from the Silkayara tunnel rescue operation were also honored with the ‘India’s Heroes’ award.

    The awards honour those who have thought ahead, dared to be different, and redefined the meaning of ‘being a true Indian’.

    Here is the complete list of winners:

    Health Leader of the Year: Dr Yazdi Italia, Padmashree awardee

    Ex-director, Go-NGO Sickle Cell Anaemia Control Program, Govt of Gujarat

    Business Leader of the Year: N Chandrasekaran, Chairperson, Tata Sons

    To accept on his behalf is Mr Kreethivasan, CEO Tata Consultancy Services

    Entrepreneur of the Year: Deepinder Goyal

    CEO & Founder, Zomato

    Innovator of the Year: Peyush Bansal

    Founder, LensKart

    The India First Award: Amitabh Kant

    India’s G20 Sherpa

    Best Performing Small State Award: Pramod Sawant

    Chief Minister of Goa

    Entertainer of the Year: Sunny Deol

    Sports Performance of the Year: Indian Women Cricket Team

    (Represented by: Shafali Verma, Shriyanka Patil, Sneh Rana, Radha Yadav)

    India’s Heroes: The Silkyara Saviours  

    Actor of the Year: Vikrant Massey

    Director of the Year: Atlee

    Climate Influencer of the Year: Prajakta Koli

    UNDP Youth Climate Champion

    Science Icons of the Year: M Srikanth, mission director, Chandrayaan-3 & mission director, Aditya L1

    Dr P Veeramuthuvel, project director, Chandrayaan-3

    K Kalpana, Associate project director, Chandrayaan-3

    Nigar Shaji, project director, Aditya L1

    Social Impact Influencer of the Year: Kusha Kapila (actor, influencer)

    The LiFE In India Award: Gadge Meenakshi

    Sarpanch, Mukhra village, Telengana

    Indian of the Year: Women of India

    Union Minister Smriti Irani, tennis legend Sania Mirza, Squadron Leader Nikita Malhotra, Naina Lal Kidwai, members of the Indian Women’s cricket team, and scientists from ISRO, received the award.

  • News9 Global Summit unites global leaders for insight and inspiration

    News9 Global Summit unites global leaders for insight and inspiration

    Mumbai: The much-anticipated News9 Global Summit commenced on 26 February 2024, hosting a gathering of eminent personalities, thought leaders, and industry experts from over 20 countries across the globe. The summit, part of the prestigious TV9 What India Thinks Today (WITT) summit, kicked off with a series of insightful discussions and keynote addresses, setting the stage for robust dialogues on critical issues facing India and the world.

    The day began with a warm welcome address by TV9 Network MD and CEO Barun Das who extended his greetings to all attendees, emphasising the significance of the decadal momentum and geopolitical moment that seem to be in India’s favour.

    The day’s first keynote address, titled ‘From Asia-Pacific to Indo-Pacific: Reframing Regional Relations’, delivered by former prime minister of Australia, Tony Abbott, captivated the audience’s attention, shedding light on the evolving dynamics of regional geopolitics and the need for strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.

    Praising India as a leader of the global south, Tony Abbott said, “After several decades of ‘License Raj’, India is now roaring down the runway to economic take-off”.

    The first-panel discussion, ‘Not an Era of War: India as a Global Peace Catalyst’, featured distinguished speakers including Velina Tchakarova, Mariya Ahmed Didi, and Syed Akbaruddin, exploring India’s role as a harbinger of peace and stability in the global arena.

    Also conducted was a panel on ‘AI: The Promise and Pitfalls’, featuring experts like Samsung research director Alok Shukla, Stanford Prof. Anurag Mairal, Reliance Jio AI/ML chief data scientist Shailesh Kumar, Microsoft executive director Samik Roy and entrepreneur and film producer Jonathan Bronfman, discussing the promise and pitfalls of AI technology. The panel examined the transformative potential of AI in various sectors while addressing concerns related to ethics, privacy, and job displacement.

    This was followed by a panel discussion on ‘Startup, India: Scale up and Sustain’, which saw 108 capital founding partner Sushma Kaushik, Mamaearth co-founder Ghazal Alagh, NoBroker co-founder Akhil Gupta and Amul MD Jayen Mehta discuss the startup boom in India, and the many challenges that lie ahead for these young firms in their bid to stand on their own two feet.

    Subsequent sessions included keynote interviews with Union Ministers like Smt. Smriti Irani on ‘Naari Shakti’, Ashwini Vaishnaw on ‘Infra, Investment and IT’ in India, and Dr S. Jaishankar on ‘Rise of the Global South’.

    Praising the ground India has managed to cover in terms of women’s emancipation across the last decade, union minister Smriti Irani said, “What India does today, the world does tomorrow. What India has done significantly for gender is make a case for women who are emancipated across all walks of life”.

    Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was also confident about the trajectory the nation is taking, and talked about the need to make technology available to the masses, saying, “Technology has to be democratised. It should be available to every Indian citizen”.

    Speaking about the leadership of the global south that India has displayed, external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar said, “When we spoke to the G20, we were not only speaking on behalf of India … we also had 125 countries who said ‘speak for us’. ”

    Interspersed among these interviews were fireside chats with eminent personalities, including youth icon Ayushmann Khurrana, BharatPe chairman Rajnish Kumar, Zydus Wellness CEO Tarun G. Arora, Maruti Suzuki chairman R. C. Bhargava, Mahindra and Mahindra MD Dr Anish Shah, actress Kangana Ranaut and with Dr Vivek Lall, chief executive of General Atomics Global Corporation.

    Discussing the untapped potential of corporate India in a panel on ‘Creating an Equitable Boardroom’ were supreme court advocate Menaka Guruswamy, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas managing partner Pallavi Shroff, TeamLease co-founder Rituparna Chakraborty and policy researcher and corporate advisor Dr Srinath Sridharan.

    Shortly after, American sociologist Salvatore Babones, author Vikram Sampath, former minister of external affairs Salman Khurshid and Penguin Random House Sr VP Milee Ashwarya engaged in a round table discussion on the narratives about the new India and India of the past, in ‘Setting the Record Straight’.

    Delivering the summit keynote address on the theme of ‘India: Poised for the Next Big Leap’ was prime minister Narendra Modi, who graced the occasion and spoke about the strides India has taken in the decade gone by, and those he hopes India will take in the run-up to its centennial anniversary of independence.

  • PM Narendra Modi to deliver keynote address at News9 Global Summit 2024

    PM Narendra Modi to deliver keynote address at News9 Global Summit 2024

    Mumbai: News9 Global Summit, part of TV9 What India Thinks Today (WITT), is set to take place between 25 and 26 February 2024. An unequalled gathering of visionaries, policymakers, and influencers from around the globe, the summit takes on a grand theme ‘India: Poised for the Next Big Leap’. The Hon. Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi will deliver the summit keynote address.

    Among the dignitaries who will be speaking at the 2024 edition of News9 Global Summit are stalwarts such as former prime minister of Australia, Tony Abbott; Union Ministers S. Jaishankar, Smriti Irani, Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Anurag Thakur; American sociologist Salvatore Babones, Indian film actresses Kangana Ranaut and Raveena Tandon , Grammy-award winner Ricky Kej and author Vivek Sampath, among others.
    The two-day summit has distinct focus areas for each day.

    On 25 February, the summit kicks off with The Inaugural, setting the stage for thought-provoking discussions on India’s soft power in cinema and sports to burnish Brand India, and will witness interesting fireside chats and panel discussions with top Union ministers and celebrities, including the likes of Anurag Thakur, India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, Grammy Award winners V Selvaganesh and Rakesh Chaurasia, and Sinclair Broadcast Group CEO Christopher Ripley.

    The Inaugural will also feature TV9 Network’s Nakshatra Samman Awards, bestowed upon the brightest stars of India’s sports and entertainment landscape.

    On 26 February, the summit transitions into its flagship event: the Global Summit, which will serve as a melting pot of ideas and perspectives on pressing geopolitical and geo-economic issues. While the Inaugural sets the stage, the Global Summit will witness the arrival of distinguished guests from around the world, including political leaders, industry experts, and renowned intellectuals.

    Union Ministers S. Jaishankar, Smriti Irani, and Ashwini Vaishnaw; Vivek Lall (Chief Executive, General Atomics Global Corporation), Jodi McKay (former Leader of Opposition, Australia), R. C. Bhargava (Chairman, Maruti Suzuki), Anish Shah (President-FICCI), American Sociologist Salvatore Babones and author-politician Salman Khurshid are among the dignitaries that will be speaking on a variety of topics. The highlight of the Global Summit will be the eagerly anticipated Summit Keynote Address, delivered by the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi.

    “We are thrilled to launch the second edition of TV9 What India Thinks Today Global Summit 2024 and to have thought leaders from around the world join us for two days of inspiring discussions and collaborative initiatives,” said TV9 Network managing director and CEO Barun Das. “TV9 WITT is a manifestation of our belief in the power of ideas to drive positive change, and we are confident that this year’s event will serve as a catalyst for fuelling the narrative that the new India wishes to create in the decade to come. Hence, the bold theme: “India: Poised for the Next Big Leap”.