MUMBAI: After more than three years of shaping the message behind the microphone, Sana Zabeen has moved on from TV9 Network, closing a chapter that saw her play a central role in the broadcaster’s communications and media strategy.

Zabeen most recently served as lead of PR and communication and media relations, a role she took on in April 2024. From the managing director’s office, she steered brand communication, managed media engagement and sharpened institutional messaging at a time when news networks have been under constant public and industry scrutiny.

Before that, she worked in communication and outreach within the MD’s office between January 2023 and April 2024, contributing to strategic positioning and stakeholder communication as the network expanded its footprint and narrative.

Her exit marks the end of a stint that built on a diverse media and marketing career. Prior to joining TV9, Zabeen was head of content and marketing at Nikology, where she led brand-led content strategies, media positioning and revenue-focused communication initiatives.

She has also held leadership roles at Bada Business Pvt. Ltd. as senior project manager, and spent over five years at Times Network, working in branded content and collaborating closely with marquee advertisers on integrated media solutions.

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Earlier in her career, Zabeen was associate producer at CNBC TV18, where she produced large-format branded properties and business features. She began her journalism journey as a correspondent covering enterprise technology with Web18 and Mobile18, laying a reporting foundation that later informed her strategic communications work.

As Zabeen turns the page, her trajectory reflects a professional who has moved fluidly between newsroom, branded content and boardroom communication, a mix that has become increasingly valuable in today’s media ecosystem.

MUMBAI: When sport meets state ambition, a familiar opener is walking out to the crease. Shikhar Dhawan has been appointed Brand Ambassador of the inaugural Delhi Khel Mahakumbh, a flagship grassroots initiative of the directorate of education and sports under the Government of NCT of Delhi.

Conceived as a city-wide sporting carnival with serious intent, the Delhi Khel Mahakumbh aims to widen participation, spot early talent and build structured pathways for young athletes across the capital. By bringing school and community-level sport under one competitive umbrella, the programme positions sport as a key pillar of youth development rather than an extracurricular afterthought.

Dhawan’s association adds instant visibility and resonance. One of India’s most recognisable sporting figures and an Arjuna Awardee, he has increasingly focused on nurturing talent beyond his playing career through his venture Da One Sports. His involvement aligns with the event’s ambition to give young athletes the exposure many careers hinge on.

Ashish Sood, Minister of Education and Sports, Government of Delhi, described the Mahakumbh as a “transformative platform” for sports development, noting that Dhawan’s presence brings credibility and inspiration while reinforcing the focus on grassroots participation and talent identification.

For Dhawan, the role strikes a personal chord. He said the initiative responds to a city “brimming with talent and seeking the right opportunity and exposure”, adding that his own journey underlines how decisive early platforms can be. He also linked the effort to a broader vision of strengthening Delhi’s sporting legacy and aspirations.

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That ecosystem thinking is echoed by Da One Group CEO Anshita Gupta who said the Mahakumbh fills a crucial gap by offering structured development and high-performance avenues, creating clearer routes for aspiring athletes to progress.

The scale of the ambition is sizeable. The inaugural Delhi Khel Mahakumbh begins on 13 February, spanning 16 venues across the capital and drawing participation from all 12 districts of Delhi. Thousands of young athletes are set to compete across basketball, football, athletics, kabaddi, wrestling, squash and volleyball.

If the idea is to make sport feel accessible, aspirational and city-wide, Delhi has chosen a brand ambassador who knows a thing or two about seizing an opening and turning it into something bigger.

MUMBAI: The Zee Cine Awards are returning to Mumbai with a fresh promise to put fans at the centre of the spectacle. Announcing its 24th edition, the broadcaster unveiled a fan-first theme, “Yeh Pal Hai Fans Ka”, as part of its wider “Fantertainment” philosophy, turning the spotlight on the audiences who keep Hindi cinema alive.

The awards, presented by Maruti Suzuki, will take place at the NSCI Dome on February 28 and March 1. The announcement was made at a lively press conference that felt more like a mini awards night, complete with games, dance steps, and spontaneous fan interactions.

Akshay Kumar, Tamannaah Bhatia, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, Aparshakti Khurana, Mithoon and Palak Muchhal joined the launch, bringing both star power and easy charm. Kumar set the tone by inviting the rest of the celebrities on stage and revealing the event dates, while others recreated popular hook steps and joined fans in playful on-stage moments.

For Zee, the awards are more than a red-carpet ritual. The company positioned the show as a long-running platform that celebrates both industry excellence and the emotional bond between films and their audiences. This year’s theme extends that idea, framing the event as a shared celebration shaped by fan enthusiasm rather than just star presence.

Zeel head of advertisement revenue, broadcast and digital, Laxmi Shetty said the awards continue to draw strength from the network’s multi-platform reach across television, digital and social media, adding, “Its continued relevance is powered by ZEE’s robust omni-channel ecosystem, which mirrors today’s evolving content consumption and enables seamless viewer engagement.”

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Zeel chief cluster officer for Hindi and Marathi movies, Ruchir Tiwari said the 2026 edition aims to raise the bar, noting, “Audiences can expect a celebration that brings together cinema in its most spectacular form, through performances, moments, and storytelling that feel fresh and ambitious.”

Zee and Zee5 chief marketing officer, Kartik Mahadev described the theme as a tribute to fandom, saying, “We are celebrating how cinema truly lives, through moments that fans carry forward, reference, remix and relive.”

Maruti Suzuki India Limited senior executive officer for marketing and sales, Partho Banerjee said the partnership reflects the company’s connection with Indian consumers, adding, “Zee Cine Awards is a platform that reflects the voice and passion of audiences who make this celebration meaningful.”

Hell Energy Pvt Ltd director, Unnikannan Gangadharan said the brand was marking its 20th anniversary globally, adding, “India remains a key focus market for us, and we are excited to announce the upcoming launch of a zero-sugar variant.”

For the stars, the event remains a familiar and festive fixture on the industry calendar. Kumar, who debuted in films around the same time Zee TV launched, called the awards “a prestigious platform” he has enjoyed performing at over the years, while others described it as a reunion-like celebration that brings together films, artists and the fans who make it all worthwhile.

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Tickets will be available through District by Zomato, while the televised ceremony will air later on Zee TV, Zee Cinema and Zee5, giving audiences across the country a chance to relive the night’s highlights.