Awards

“My characters are never overdressed. I like to bring out their qualities very subtly”

Published

21 years ago

January 25, 2005

She bagged the best costume designer's award for Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand at the second Indian Telly Awards last year. One year down the line, this shy designer is hopeful, confident but not arrogant.

"I'm thrilled. I'm hoping that I get the award this time too," she says. Surprisingly, Ritu Deora began her career as a costume designer only at the age of 27, with some help from her husband R K Deora, general manager at the garment division Of Siyaram Silk Mills.

This Bachelor of Arts student from Jodhpur says she never got any formal training in costume designing. But she had an eye for colours, hues, shades and patterns. And within a span of six years –from 1995 when she started her Ritu's Design Studio (RDS) to last year when she won the award — Deora has proved her mettle.

She says she makes it a point to get a complete briefing of the serials from the production units to understand the characters and situations before designing their outfits. She says, "For Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand, we had to do an in-depth study of the characters, which translated into the costumes."

Deora says her growing demand in the industry today is partly thanks to the award, and partly because of RDS' dedication. The company provides costumes for the entire star cast rather than supplying it only for the lead pairs. "We have become a 'one point shop' for all TV costume requirements," she explains in an interview with indiantelevision.com's Nitya Kaushik. Excerpts:

Did you expect the Indian Telly Award last year? What was your reaction on receiving it?
No. Last year, when I got nominated for the award, it was the first time I'd heard of the Indian Telly Awards. I'm not from a formal fashion designing background and don't know much about the industry aside from my own work. Naturally, I didn't expect an award for my work. I was so excited when it happened. The award gave me a new lease of life. My business has also improved in the TV industry.

Do you think you deserved an award for the costumes of Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand? Which serial would you have awarded yourself for?
I do think my best designs has been in Des Mein… If I were to award myself, it would be solely for dressing Sangeeta Ghosh as Pammi. I have taken care of every possible aspect while dressing her. She is an NRI, but her values are intact. So, I have dressed her in very traditional salwar kurtas but each one of them has a designer look. All her salwars/churidars are of lycra, hence the perfect drape.

However, the credit for dressing Pammi goes as much to Ghosh as to me. She is not just cooperative, she is proactive. She makes suggestions on her clothes, accessories, bindis etc, never fusses, always takes a good tip. That's part of the reason why Pammi turned out so perfect.

The other costumes I've enjoyed designing for include those of Kehta Hai Dil and Kumkum.

"I have taken care of every possible aspect while dressing Sangeeta Ghosh as Pammi"

Sangeeta Ghosh in an outfit designed by Deora for 'Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand'

You have also done costumes for some films. How is that different from working for TV serials?
Yes, I designed for Fiza and Nayak. I also have Ashok Pandit's Sheen, Tata Films' Aitbaar, Sweta International's Mumkin and Smita Thackeray's Hum Jo Kah Na Paye in waiting.

Designing for films is much simpler than for TV. First of all, the quantity of outfits needed for one film is as much as the quantity need for two weeks' episodes in a soap.

Also, films can do with very plain costumes, because in most cases they are juxtaposed against scenic backdrops for effect. On the other hand, a TV serial relies only on frontal views in most cases. So whatever gloss or effect we want to create has to be on the front.

Thirdly, any new trend portrayed in a film is wasted because the style becomes old by the time the film releases. As for a TV serial, there is immediate gratification. You depict a certain look and it's out within a week.

Finally, a designer does not need to spend too much time on a film. We only have to design a set of clothes for them and then forget about the shoot. But a TV serial is interactive. We need to regularly discuss with the characters about their roles, the finer changes in personality and keep revising.

Considering that films are easier and more paying, do you intend to shift your focus to films, in the near future?
No. I have carved a niche for myself in the industry — that matters most. I find TV challenging. And yes, I am a business person and know that it will bring me more profits in the long run.

You are designing costumes for a Hollywood flick too…
It's for a Manoj Night Shyamalan production. The film's called Divorce.

How has costume designing in television evolved in India?
Dress designing in television has come a long way. When I started out in 1995, there was no concept of costume designing. Those days films dictated the popular trends, TV was just a poor cousin.

However, now TV producers have realized that the personality of a show depends much on the look of the characters. Costume designing is not a secondary activity any more.

What kind of budget is allocated for costumes in a serial?
It varies from Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000 per episode. Producers who care for 'presentation' are ready to shell out more.

Is the look given to a character your prerogative or does the director/producer decide on that?
Usually, we are just given an outline of the character's role. Then we decide on the look. Some artistes, like Sangeeta Ghosh make suggestions. I find that very encouraging.

But don't you think actors are overdressed in most serials?
Oh yes, they are. Especially, the vamp. Recently, a serial showed the vamp wearing a 'danger' sign for a bindi. That was outrageous.

My characters are never overdressed. I like to bring out their qualities very subtly.

Who do you think is your immediate competition? How do you rate them?
Balaji Telefilms' Nim Sood is a good designer. She was my contender at the Indian Telly Awards last year. But the problem with Balaji is that they don't delve in variety. They just make bulk purchases in different prints, shades and patterns. That's where they lose brownies.

"There is no school in India today that trains costumes designers for television. This, in spite of TV being a very dynamic industry"

What according to you are your advantages?
In-time service, quality, innovativeness, maintaining continuity as well as standard and professionalism — these are our advantages. None of our customers have been disappointed by us.

We deliver even if the order is placed at one am in the morning. The result is obvious. Today production houses take Ritu Deora as an example while discussing costumes.

Is there a dearth of costume designing schools in India?
Yes. There is no school in India today that trains costumes designers for television. This in spite of TV being a very dynamic industry.

Even the regular costume designing schools don't teach practical designing. It's all just theories and sketches.

What have you planned for the future?
My husband and I are planning to start a store in Mumbai — a store that fills the vacuum in the fabric market at present.

Today there are small cloth stores, branded clothes and big-time designers. But there is no one catering to the upper middle class — or that section of people who can't afford designer labels but don't buy from an ordinary cloth store either. I want to cater to that section.

I will sell designer wear at a reasonable price.

Awards

Zee Cine Awards 2026 set for fan-first celebration in Mumbai

Akshay Kumar and stars launch awards at NSCI Dome on Feb 28

Published

4 months ago

February 9, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

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.”

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.

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.

Awards

Hamdard honours changemakers at Abdul Hameed awards

Published

4 months ago

February 7, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

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.

Awards

Indian creatives take centre stage on Global Awards Juries

Published

4 months ago

February 6, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: India is making its mark on the global creative scene as some of the country’s leading minds join juries for The One Club for Creativity’s prestigious awards. Celebrating excellence across advertising, design, and typography, The One Club is known for rewarding standout work while championing inclusion, education, and creative growth.

The One Show 2026, one of the most coveted honours in advertising, sees Indian leaders on its jury including Khalil Bachooali of Offroad Films, Rajdeepak Das of Publicis Groupe South Asia, Ashish Deshpande of Elephant Design, and creative chiefs from Ogilvy, Havas, Mudra, FCB Interface, and more. The extended submission deadline is 6 February, with the final cut-off on 20 February.

On the design front, the ADC 105th Annual Awards, celebrated worldwide for design and visual communication, counts Binaifer Dulani, Moumita Pal, Sulekha Rajkumar, Kamal Kumaar Rao, and Neha Tulsian among its Indian jury members. The deadline extensions mirror those of The One Show, encouraging broader participation.

Meanwhile, the TDC 72nd Annual Competition, the world’s leading platform for typography and lettering, features Namrata Goyal of Universal Thirst representing India. Entries are open until 27 February.

Indian creatives also enjoy reduced submission fees, with tiered pricing for smaller agencies and freelancers, making it easier for talent of all scales to shine on the world stage.

With India’s creative leaders now shaping the decisions behind these global accolades, the country is proving it’s not just participating, it’s setting benchmarks.