Blog

  • Gallant Sports Completes FIH-Certified Hockey Turf at UP College, Varanasi

    Gallant Sports Completes FIH-Certified Hockey Turf at UP College, Varanasi

  • Kailash Hospital Jewar Provided Free Check-Up and Consultation Facilities in Jattari

    Kailash Hospital Jewar Provided Free Check-Up and Consultation Facilities in Jattari

    Kailash Hospital Jewar conducted a free health check-up camp on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Ramleela Chowk, Nagaliya Bijana Jattari, Aligarh, to fulfill its ongoing dedication to community health and preventive healthcare services. The health campaign operated its services between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM to allow residents from Jewar and nearby areas to participate in the health campaign.

    The initiative established essential health care services that the entire community could access, but especially helped people who are unable to afford doctor appointments because they face financial difficulties. This initiative helped individuals seek health care services early, especially for basic care provided by qualified health care providers at Kailash Hospital, Jewar.

    On this occasion,Dr.Arun Singh, Medical Superintendent, Kailash Hospital Jewar,The main aim of Kailash Hospital has always been to provide accessible and preventive healthcare to the communities. This free health check-up camp is another crucial step towards spreading the message for early diagnosis and health awareness for those who do not get themselves checked on a regular basis. With the help of this camp, where all the required tests and consulting with the required professionals have been made free for the people, we can empower the masses to make decisions for healthy living.”

    The free health camp included free medical testing such as ECG tests, blood sugar testing, blood pressure checking, and general physician consultations, including a Physician, Eye Specialist, Dentist, and Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Specialist. Moreover, dental and eye checkups were also included in the free health camp. This is because many people have common issues related to dental care and eye care. Moreover, the checkups were performed by qualified doctors and other experts from Kailash Hospital, Jewar.

    People need preventive health screenings because they serve as the primary method to identify hypertension, diabetes, heart diseases, dental issues, and vision problems during early life. The process helps to avoid severe health dangers while decreasing the impacts that result from significant health conditions and hospital treatments. Through this campaign, Kailash Hospital in Jewar aimed to educate people about preventive screenings while offering assistance to the community.

    The camp especially benefited the elderly, daily wage earners, and families who find it difficult to access normal medical facilities. The camp established a demonstration of cashless treatment services through Kailash Hospital Jewar, which included all major health insurance providers and their respective TPAs, ECHS, Ayushman Bharat, and Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Health Scheme programs to enable patients to obtain advanced medical treatment without facing financial obstacles. The dedication of Kailash Hospital Jewar to serve the community through outreach programs and preventive healthcare initiatives received confirmation when they declared their intention to continue organizing these events for community benefit.

    Kailash Healthcare Ltd

    Kailash Healthcare Ltd is a trusted and leading network of nine multi-specialty and super-specialty hospitals, including a dedicated Health Village, an Ayurvedic Hospital, and a Wellness Centre across Delhi-NCR and Uttarakhand. For over 40 years, Kailash Healthcare has been synonymous with quality, ethics, and compassionate service, staying true to its belief that “We heal lives, not just patients.”

    With a combined capacity of over 2,200 beds and a team of 800+ specialists, the Group continues to set new benchmarks in advanced medical infrastructure and patient care. Its flagship facility, Kailash Hospital, Sector 27, Noida, is a 325-bed NABH-accredited tertiary care hospital, offering comprehensive diagnostic, surgical, and emergency services.

    The Group’s advanced Kailash Hospital & Neuro Institute, Sector 71, Noida, stands as a centre of excellence in neurosciences, cardiology, and robotic joint replacement, reflecting Kailash Healthcare’s commitment to bringing world-class technology closer to the community.

    Guided by its founding vision of “Bringing World-Class Healthcare Within Everyone’s Reach,” Kailash Healthcare remains dedicated to healing with compassion, integrity, and innovation.

  • KLH GBS Rolls Out CRT Framework to Boost Employability

    KLH GBS Rolls Out CRT Framework to Boost Employability

    Hyderabad: KLH Global Business School (KLH GBS) has institutionalized a comprehensive Corporate Readiness Training (CRT) framework to systematically prepare students for campus placements and evolving corporate expectations. The structured initiative is designed to enhance analytical capability, domain expertise, technical proficiency, and professional communication skills essential in contemporary recruitment processes.

    The 170-hour CRT module was implemented through phased training cycles covering aptitude and logical reasoning, quantitative techniques, business communication, group discussions, domain assessments, and HR interview preparation. The training architecture integrated mock evaluations, business simulations, technical tool orientation, and structured feedback systems to ensure measurable and progressive skill development.

    The structured preparation translated into 130 placement offers across leading national and multinational organizations, with students securing opportunities in reputed companies such as Tata Consultancy Services, Tech Mahindra, Muthoot Fincorp Group, City Union Bank, Hexagon, Broadridge, Berger Paints, Keka, S&P Global, GlobalData, and several others.

    Students also received hands-on training in business analytics and digital tools such as MS Excel, Advanced Excel, Power BI, SQL, Python, and AI applications. Domain-aligned simulations were conducted across marketing, finance, human resources, analytics, and business development functions to strengthen practical exposure and industry alignment. In addition, students were encouraged to pursue globally recognized certifications to enhance competitiveness in domestic and international job markets.

    Er. Koneru Lakshman Havish, Vice President, KL Deemed to be University, stated, “Employment readiness is the outcome of sustained and structured preparation, not short-term intervention. In today’s dynamic employment landscape, continuous skill development, analytical competence, and strong industry alignment are essential to achieving consistent employability outcomes.”

    KLH Global Business School continues to strengthen its commitment to bridging academic excellence with industry expectations by advancing a structured, outcome-driven career preparation ecosystem within Hyderabad’s higher education landscape.

  • Pocket FM’s Creator Economy Reaches ₹300 Crore, Targets 3X Growth to ₹1000 Crore in 2026

    Pocket FM’s Creator Economy Reaches ₹300 Crore, Targets 3X Growth to ₹1000 Crore in 2026

    • 300K Creators Publish Using AI on Pocket FM; Platform Targets 1 Million Creators by 2026

    • Top 10% of Monetised Creators Earned ₹50 Crore Collectively in 2025, While Top 1% Each Earned Over ₹50 Lakh Annually
    • Plans to adapt 50 creator-led Indian IPs for audiences in the United States and Europe

    India, February 19, 2026:  As the AI Impact Summit sets the path for India’s AI vision, Pocket FM today unveiled data that offers tangible proof of that vision in action. The platform’s creator economy has crossed ₹300 crore and is set to reach ₹1,000 crore by 2026. Over 10% of its monetised creators have collectively earned over ₹50 crore in 2025 alone. Over 300,000 creators published their first stories in the last year, and with Pocket FM’s AI capabilities having accelerated the pace of creation, the platform expects to reach 1 million creators by 2026. This validates Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s emphasis on expanding access and participation in India’s AI-enabled creator ecosystem.

    As discussions continue globally on the impact of AI on creative work, Pocket FM is demonstrating a different approach: the democratisation of storytelling. The platform has enabled 300,000 first-time creators across India to publish their stories, build sustainable income streams, and reach audiences beyond traditional industry barriers. For decades, aspiring creators faced multiple challenges, from developing full scripts and finding creative support to navigating production workflows and securing distribution. Each step required time, resources, and access that were often difficult to obtain.

    “Pocket FM’s AI Suite reimagines this process as an AI-powered writers’ room built for serialised fiction. The Planner Agent designs long-term arcs and character journeys, the Context Agent safeguards narrative continuity across episodes, and the Drama Agent refines pacing, tension, and cliffhangers. Together, in a continuous loop of planning, drafting, and refinement, these agents enable creators to build cohesive, long-form stories while preserving creative ownership and significantly reducing execution complexity.” said Prateek Dixit, Co-founder – Product, Tech and AI at Pocket FM

    The platform’s data also reflects changing economics in creative work. More than 20% of creators now earn over ₹1 lakh per month, and the top 1% earn more than ₹50 lakh annually.

    Rohan Nayak Cofounder and CEO, Pocket FM said, “Our vision is clear. Creativity remains human, and Pocket FM’s AI Suite is designed to remove barriers to bringing that creativity to life. This reflects Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of an AI-enabled creator ecosystem where a story idea can reach audiences at scale regardless of where it comes from”

    “This marks the end of the traditional ‘starving artist’ model,” Nayak added. “A creator from anywhere in India can now create professional-quality content and reach audiences at scale without traditional barriers.”

    Democratising the Creator Economy, and  Leading India’s Content Export Boom

    Around 90% of creators on the platform are first-time creators. Many had ideas and characters in mind but lacked guidance on narrative craft, structuring episodes, production or accessing distribution. Pocket FM’s creator ecosystem helps bridge these gaps. 25% creators are students building storytelling careers while continuing their education, and AI-enabled production tools reduce the complexity that once required specialised teams. Creativity remains human, while the path from idea to publication becomes more accessible.

    Pocket FM’s international expansion also reflects India’s growing role as a content originator. In 2025, several Indian IPs were localised for markets such as the United States and Europe, including titles like Mahagatha, Brahmyoddha – The Destroyer, and Brahmand Ka Rakshak. These stories, originally written in Hindi, are now reaching listeners across geographies. In 2026, the company plans to expand localisation across more than 50 Indian IPs.

    “We always knew Indian stories had global potential. The constraint was infrastructure,” added Dixit. “Our AI stack fundamentally re-architects how content is localised and scaled. We use proprietary multilingual large language models to handle contextual translation and narrative restructuring. Our models are trained on cross-cultural storytelling patterns so they adapt not just words, but references, pacing, and emotional cadence for each market.”

    With a global creator community of over 300,000 creators, the platform generates more than 2.2 billion minutes of listening each month from creator-led audio series.

    The Bigger Picture

    As the India AI Impact Summit examines India’s role in responsible AI deployment, Pocket FM’s experience shows how technology can support creative professionals. By ensuring creators retain the creative control, access transparent monetisation, and use AI as a production enabler, the platform is building a model where technology amplifies human creativity.

    With India projected to have over 950 million internet users by 2030 and global demand for diverse storytelling growing, this milestone reflects a larger shift: India moving from content consumer to creative originator. The platform is actively partnering with streaming services and production houses seeking India-originated IP for adaptation into movies, TV shows, anime, and other formats.

    “Our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji has consistently emphasised that India’s AI journey must expand access and empower creators,” said Nayak. “Our creators are already demonstrating that this model works. They are building audiences across markets and showing that Indian stories have strong global appeal. Our focus now is to scale this further by expanding into more languages, more markets, and enabling more creators to earn sustainable income.”

    As more creators from across India publish their stories and earn recognition, this growth reflects the impact of policies that have supported digital access and innovation. India’s AI-enabled creator ecosystem is emerging from a combination of technology adoption, platform innovation, and a policy environment that encourages wider participation in the creative economy.

    For interviews, creator case studies, or any other information, contact:
    Rahul Nag, +91 9958644228, rahul.nag@pocketfm.com

    About Pocket FM:

    Pocket FM is the world’s largest audio series platform shaping the future of serialised storytelling. With a global community of over 250 million listeners, Pocket FM has pioneered the audio series format and turned it into a mainstream entertainment category, powered by long-form, episodic narratives that drive deep engagement and binge-listening.

    As an AI-first entertainment company, Pocket FM combines human creativity with advanced AI to help creators create stories faster, adapt them across languages, and scale successful IPs for global audiences. Its creator ecosystem includes more than 300,000 creators and a rapidly growing library of over 425,000 hours of storytelling.

    Available on iOS and Android, click here to download Pocket FM. For more information, please get in touch with communications@pocketfm.com

  • Primus Ganges at Srijan Ganga City: Luxury Senior Living Redefined in Kolkata

    Primus Ganges at Srijan Ganga City: Luxury Senior Living Redefined in Kolkata

    KOLKATA | February 19, 2026 — In Kolkata, ageing has always carried dignity. Today, it carries something more — intention.

    For generations, the city’s seniors remained in ancestral homes surrounded by memory and meaning. Tradition dictated that ageing was something to endure quietly, within the comfort of legacy and joint-family households. But a powerful shift is now underway. Kolkata’s seniors are no longer waiting for life to slow down. They are choosing how they want to live — actively, independently, and on their own terms.

    At the centre of this cultural evolution stands Primus Ganges at Srijan Ganga City, a landmark collaboration between Srijan Realty and Primus Senior Living, India’s leading professional senior living operator. The project reflects not only a new real estate category for Eastern India, but a deeper generational transformation in mindset.

    “Kolkata’s residential conversation is maturing,” says Keshav Agarwal, Director, Srijan Realty. “Today’s seniors are not downsizing — they are right-sizing. They want independence without isolation, support without stigma, and community without compromise. Primus Ganges reflects that evolution.”

    This shift is not driven by compulsion. It is driven by confidence. Today’s seniors are financially independent, globally aware, and deeply self-assured. Many have children living in other cities or overseas. Rather than maintaining expansive homes out of obligation, they are making proactive lifestyle decisions  choosing spaces that align with their present priorities of convenience, safety, wellness, and social engagement. Senior living is no longer perceived as a fallback arrangement. It is a forward-looking, aspirational choice.

    Primus Ganges offers thoughtfully designed studios, 1 BHK and 2 BHK residences ranging from approximately 500 sq. ft. to 1,311 sq. ft. Each home balances elegance with functionality, incorporating barrier-free layouts, intuitive safety features, and abundant natural light. The design consciously avoids institutional aesthetics, instead emphasising warmth and comfort so that residents feel empowered rather than managed. But the true strength of the community lies beyond its architecture.

    As a pan-India professional operator with over 3,500 senior homes under development across six cities, Primus Senior Living brings structured wellness programs, preventive healthcare protocols, trained care teams, and technology-enabled systems into the ecosystem. The focus is not merely on providing housing, but on delivering a consistently managed, wellness-led environment where independence remains central and support is seamlessly available in the background. From on-call medical assistance and emergency response systems to housekeeping, concierge services, and curated engagement programs, every element is designed to ensure that life flows smoothly and meaningfully.

    “Senior living is not about adding more years to life,” says Adarsh Narahari, Founder & MD, Primus Senior Living. “It is about adding more life to every year. Our focus is healthspan — the quality, energy, mobility, and purpose with which one lives. At Primus Ganges, we are creating environments where seniors don’t just age safely, they age actively  with strength, community, and dignity.”

    As families become geographically dispersed, a quiet anxiety often follows. Adult children balancing careers and responsibilities frequently wonder whether their parents are not only safe, but socially and emotionally fulfilled. Primus refers to this as the “worry gap.” Primus Ganges addresses this not by fostering dependence, but by building community. It creates spaces where friendships form organically, daily rhythms encourage movement and engagement, and preventive wellness replaces reactive healthcare. Reassurance becomes a natural outcome of meaningful living.

    Kolkata, with its strong healthcare infrastructure, cultural vibrancy, relatively affordable cost of living, and deep-rooted sense of belonging, is uniquely positioned to lead Eastern India’s senior living evolution. Developments such as Primus Ganges signal more than a residential trend. They represent the professionalisation of ageing ecosystems in the region where intelligent design meets integrated care, and where dignity, vitality, and purpose define the second innings.

    Kolkata’s second innings is no longer about slowing down. It is about living deliberately, ageing actively, and embracing a future where healthspan matters as much as heritage.

     

  • Thriving Abroad: Vita Student Brings Premium Living Workshop to LPU Students

    Thriving Abroad: Vita Student Brings Premium Living Workshop to LPU Students

    February, 2026: Vita Student, a premium student accommodation in the UK and Spain, will conduct a study abroad workshop at Lovely Professional University, Phagwara. The on-campus event will take place on Monday, 23 Feb, in the Campus Auditorium of LPU. It will guide students as they explore opportunities for higher education overseas.

    The workshop will run in two sessions, addressing around 400 students in total. It will guide students exploring higher education opportunities abroad and help them find a home away from home.

    Sessions will cover key aspects of studying overseas, including tips on student accommodation in the UK and Spain. Students will learn how to choose the right place to live, navigate housing options, and prepare for life in a new country.

    Vita Student provides high-quality, all-inclusive accommodation, with secure buildings, weekday breakfast services, free to use bikes, 24/7 onsite support. Its goal is to help students focus on studies while enjoying a safe, connected, and supportive living environment abroad.

    Through this initiative, Vita Student aims to empower students with the knowledge and confidence needed to turn their study abroad aspirations into reality. The workshop promises to offer clarity, inspiration, and real-world perspective, helping students envision not just studying overseas but truly thriving in a global environment.

  • Sheopals Launches ‘Herb69 Vibe Booster’ to Support Energy, Stamina and Everyday Lifestyle Needs

    Sheopals Launches ‘Herb69 Vibe Booster’ to Support Energy, Stamina and Everyday Lifestyle Needs

    New Delhi, 19 February 2026: Sheopals has launched Herb69 Vibe Booster, a herbal wellness tablet developed using an Ayurveda blend to support energy levels, stamina and overall vitality, addressing lifestyle challenges associated with long working hours, increased stress and physically demanding daily routines.

    As modern lifestyles continue to blur the lines between work, rest and recovery, consistent fatigue and reduced physical readiness have emerged as common concerns. Herb69 Vibe Booster has been introduced as a lifestyle-focused wellness supplement, developed for individuals who are looking to maintain steady energy levels and physical endurance as part of their everyday routine rather than relying on intermittent or short-term solutions.

    The product reflects a broader shift in consumer behaviour, where wellness is increasingly viewed as a daily practice integrated into routine life. Herb69 Vibe Booster is positioned to align with this mindset, offering a formulation that supports sustained performance, resilience and overall wellbeing when used regularly as recommended.

    Herb69 Vibe Booster is formulated using an Ayurveda blend of well-recognised botanical ingredients, including Ashwagandha, Kaunch Beej, Ginseng, Gokhru and Safed Musli, supported by selected amino acids and essential minerals. These ingredients have a long history of use in traditional wellness systems and are commonly associated with supporting energy metabolism, physical endurance and the body’s ability to manage everyday stress and exertion.

    Commenting on the launch, Mr. Mool Meena, Founder & CEO at Sheopals, said,
    “Today’s lifestyles demand sustained energy, focus and physical readiness, yet recovery often takes a backseat. With Herb69 Vibe Booster, our objective was to create a dependable formulation using an Ayurveda blend that fits seamlessly into everyday life and supports long-term vitality through responsible product development and quality-led processes.”

    Herb69 Vibe Booster is manufactured under controlled quality standards and forms part of Sheopals’ expanding portfolio of plant-based lifestyle wellness solutions. The product is intended for regular use as recommended and has been developed in line with the brand’s focus on clean formulations and long-term wellness support.

    About Sheopals

    Sheopals is an India-based wellness brand focused on developing lifestyle and preventive health solutions using thoughtfully designed Ayurveda blends and plant-based ingredients. The company combines traditional knowledge systems with modern formulation and quality practices to create products that support everyday wellbeing and evolving consumer health needs.

  • CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI to Host Knowledge-Sharing Session on Advanced Interventional Radiology for Venous Diseases

    CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI to Host Knowledge-Sharing Session on Advanced Interventional Radiology for Venous Diseases

    Kolkata, February 2026: CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI hosted a two-day knowledge-sharing and clinical exchange program, focusing on the latest innovations in interventional radiology, with special emphasis on the diagnosis, screening and minimally invasive treatment of venous diseases, an increasingly under-recognized public health concern in India. The program highlighted the role of advanced endovascular embolization techniques in cancer treatment, offering non-surgical options for selected oncology patients.

    The program brought together internationally acclaimed interventional radiologist Dr. Carrafiello from Milan alongside Dr. Avik Bhattacharyya, Director & HOD, Interventional Radiology, CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI, to deliberate on advanced, image-guided techniques used in managing conditions such as varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pelvic venous disorders and complex vascular malformations.

    Venous diseases are on the rise across age groups due to sedentary lifestyles, prolonged standing or sitting, obesity and post-COVID vascular changes, yet remain significantly underdiagnosed as symptoms are often dismissed as cosmetic or lifestyle-related issues. Individuals in professions that involve long hours of standing, such as traffic police personnel, chefs, teachers, retail workers and factory staff, are particularly vulnerable. The session was aimed to build awareness around early symptoms, timely screening and treatment options to prevent long-term complications such as chronic pain, swelling and ulcers.

    The knowledge-sharing initiative highlighted how interventional radiology has transformed venous care, replacing conventional surgery with pinholes, image-guided procedures that minimize pain, reduce hospital stay and enable faster recovery. The key highlight was live case-based discussions, showcasing high-end venous and vascular interventions that were earlier available only in select metro cities but are now being routinely performed at CMRI, Kolkata, significantly improving access to advanced care for patients across Eastern India.

    Speaking on the initiative, Dr. Avik Bhattacharyya, Director & HOD, Interventional Radiology, CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI, said, “Venous diseases often progress silently and are widely misunderstood, leading patients to seek medical help only when complications arise. Through this program, we aim to demonstrate how early diagnosis and minimally invasive interventional radiology techniques can transform outcomes. Bringing global expertise to CMRI also reflects our commitment to making world-class care accessible closer to home for patients in Eastern India.”

    Mr. Sombrata Ray, Unit Head, CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI, added, “This initiative is not just about clinical advancement, but also about community awareness. By focusing on high-risk occupational groups and lesser-known venous conditions, we aim to empower people with knowledge that can lead to early intervention and better quality of life. CMRI continues to invest in advanced technologies and global collaborations to strengthen Kolkata’s position as a center for cutting-edge, minimally invasive healthcare.”

    The program underscores CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI’s continued focus on clinical excellence, global collaboration and patient-centric innovation, while reinforcing Kolkata’s growing role as a hub for advanced interventional and minimally invasive healthcare in Eastern India.

    About CMRI

    CK Birla Hospital, CMRI stands as a distinguished NABH accredited multi-specialty hospital established in 1969 in Kolkata. With 440 beds, CMRI is committed to delivering top-notch medical care to all segments of society. CMRI ensures cutting-edge care with its ICUs, all supported by an experienced team of super-specialists. CMRI is the first hospital to introduce Robotic Joint replacement in the city. The hospital also runs a state-of-the-art Respiratory Intensive Care Unit which is as per international standards. It also runs transplant programs for both the adult and paediatric population. CMRI is the only hospital in eastern India with QAI accredited stroke centre. CMRI is accredited by the National Development Board, Government of India, for DNB courses. The institute also houses a nurses’ training school recognized by the West Bengal Nursing Council.

  • This Valentine’s Day, Sheena Chohan Takes Love Beyond Romance — Honouring the love for Constitution and the Women Behind It.

    This Valentine’s Day, Sheena Chohan Takes Love Beyond Romance — Honouring the love for Constitution and the Women Behind It.

    This Valentine’s Day, actress Sheena Chohan offers a perspective on love that goes far beyond flowers and candlelight. For her, the day is not just about romance, but about reflection and responsibility.

    “Valentine’s Day is usually seen as a celebration of romantic love,” Sheena says. “And while that is beautiful, for me love is much larger. It is not about gazing at each other, but about looking together in the same direction — toward shared purpose, shared growth, and a shared vision for a better world. Love, at its most powerful, is responsibility.”

    Drawing inspiration from the birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu, which falls on the same day, Sheena reflects on women who embodied love not just in personal relationships but in public life. “Sarojini Naidu and many women like her showed us that love for the country, love for rights, and love for humanity, by helping to write the constitution, can shape history. That kind of love is transformative — it uplifts society and protects dignity.”

    For Sheena, Valentine’s Day becomes a reminder that love must expand beyond the personal. “True love grows. It begins with self-love, extends to partnership, and ultimately becomes love for humanity. It should reflect in how we treat others, how we stand for what is right, and how we contribute to something larger than ourselves.”

    Ahead of Valentine’s Day Sheena Chohan Initiated the Love For Constitution Campaign with a leading national Radio Channel.

    As she continues work on her upcoming Tamil and Malayalam films, Sheena remains committed to meaningful storytelling. “For me, cinema and compassion walk hand in hand. If love is transformative, storytelling is one of the ways we can awaken it.”

    Sheena Chohan is the only Indian actress to have received the Hero Award at the United Nations. As she gears up for her exciting upcoming releases, this Valentine’s Day she celebrates love in its highest form — love for humanity.

  • Shalini Pandey floors with her poetic prowess as Mariam in Bandwale

    Shalini Pandey floors with her poetic prowess as Mariam in Bandwale

    Riding high after her Breakthrough Performance win at the Awards for the haunting Maharaj, the actor continues to sharpen her artistic pitch with roles that demand modulation rather than volume. Each project feels like a new note added to a carefully evolving raga, and with Bandwaale, Pandey finds her most lyrical movement yet. From the “silent hustler” grit she brought to Dabba Cartel to the unexpected comedic ease of Rahu Ketu, her choices signal an actor in pursuit of depth and showcasing her range. Bandwaale marks the point where that pursuit finds its home.

    Directed by Akshat Verma and co-created by Swanand Kirkire and Ankur Tewari, the eight-episode series follows Mariam — a young poet attempting to escape the safest trap Indian society offers its daughters: an early, respectable marriage. Set against the quiet constraints of Ratlam, Bandwaale understands a crucial truth — in small towns, dreams don’t explode; they seep.

    Pandey shoulders the series with remarkable restraint. As Mariam, she is not a firebrand rebel but an obedient daughter conditioned to apologise for ambition. Poetry becomes her private rebellion, anonymity her armour. Her longing for a different life is not loud, but persistent and that persistence gives the character its aching credibility.

    With maximum screen time and a role rich in emotional texture, Pandey delivers a performance that never begs for attention yet commands it. She is entirely believable as a woman whose wings are clipped within the safety of home, and whose desperation to taste freedom makes her the most rooted, human presence in Bandwaale. There are no dramatic monologues, no grand gestures as she sheds mainstream tropes and embraces soulful emotiveness, emerging as the emotional anchor of the show.