Vir Das wins maiden International Emmy Award for best comedy series
New Delhi (PTI): Actor-comic Vir Das won the International Emmy Award for his stand-up special "Vir Das: Landing" in the best comedy category, the organisers said.
The 51st International Emmy Awards Gala was held at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City on late Monday night.
This was the second nomination and maiden win in the segment for Das, who shared the trophy with popular British teen sitcom "Derry Girls" season three.
Bagging the International Emmy award for the best comedy is "an incredible honor that feels like a dream," said Das.
"Winning an Emmy for 'Vir Das: Landing' in the 'Comedy Category' is not just a milestone for me but for Indian comedy as a whole. It's heartening to see 'Vir Das: Landing' resonate globally, thanks to Netflix, Aakash Sharma and Reg Tigerman who made it special," Das said in a statement.
Das is also the first Indian comedian to achieve the feat.
"My journey from crafting local stories to receiving a global accolade has been both challenging and rewarding, and Netflix has been instrumental in that growth. I'm excited about the continued exploration of diverse narratives, from Noida to the International Emmys - India gets you there," he added.
Das, also known for films such as "Go Goa Gone" and "Delhi Belly", won the award for his fourth Netflix special "Vir Das: Landing", a show about what it means to be truly global while looking for home.
His last stand-up special "Vir Das: For India" was nominated for an International Emmy in the best comedy category in 2021.
The other nominees in the best comedy category were "El Encargado" from Argentina and French show "Le Flambeau" season two.
Every year, the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences conducts the International Emmys with the aim to honour "the world's best television".
Renowned producer Ektaa R Kapoor was honoured with the International Emmy Directorate Award for significant contribution to the world of arts and entertainment.
Kapoor, co-founder of production house Balaji Telefilms, said she is delighted to receive the prestigious award. She is the first Indian woman filmmaker to be bestowed with the recognition.
"It brings me immense joy and happiness to be honoured at a global scale, such as this. I've always wanted to tell stories because they give me a chance to be heard, seen and represented. I am grateful for the audience's love that has opened doors for me, allowing me to transition from television to the world of films and OTT," she said in a statement.
Launched almost 30 years ago, Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms is known for creating long-running popular soap operas such as "Hum Paanch", "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi", "Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii", "Kaahin Kissii Roz", "Kasautii Zindagii Kay" and "Bade Achhe Lagte Hain".
Kapoor, daughter of veteran film star Jeetendra and producer Shobha Kapoor, later set up the banner's film arm Balaji Motion Pictures. She has also produced multiple movies including "Shootout at Lokhandwala", "Love Sex aur Dhokha", "Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai", "Dirty Picture", "Lootera" and "Udta Punjab", among others.
"Each story that I told became a bridge to connect with audiences on many levels. The unexpected turns this journey took are a testament to the power of love showered by the people of India and beyond. My heart is filled with gratitude, and a stronger resolve to make a positive impact through my work for audiences," she added.
Before Kapoor, media baron Subhash Chandra was presented with the Directorate Award in 2011.
Shefali Shah and Jim Sarbh were the other Indian artists to be nominated at the annual international awards ceremony.
Shah, who was nominated in the best actress category for the second season of Netflix show "Delhi Crime", lost the title to Mexican star Carla Souza of "La Caida (Dive)" fame.
The first season of "Delhi Crime" had won the International Emmy for the best drama series in 2020, the first award for India at the awards.
Connie Nielsen for Danish series "Drommeren" and Billie Piper for British show "I Hate Suzie Too" were also in contention to win the award in the best performance by an actress segment.
"Rocket Boys" star Sarbh also couldn't convert his best performance by an actor nomination into a win. He was bested by "Sherlock" alum Martin Freeman, who earned the award for "The Responder".
Besides Sarbh and Freeman, Gustavo Bassani of "Iosi, El Espia Arrepentido" (Argentina) and Jonas Karlsson from Swedish series "Nattryttarna" were the other two nominees in the category.
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Karnataka govt seeks agency to manage rural drinking water units: Minister
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday said the state government is working to appoint an agency to manage clean drinking water units in rural areas.
The state Rural Development and Panchayat Raj minister was responding to a question by Hirekerur MLA U B Banakar in the legislative assembly.
"In the rural areas of the state, many clean drinking water units have been set up under corporate social responsibility (CSR) grants, including contributions by MLAs and MPs, and handed over to gram panchayats. After the maintenance period, problems have arisen in keeping these units operational," Priyank said.
He added that a proposal has been made to award a maintenance contract to one of the country’s reputed drinking water unit manufacturing companies, but so far, no companies have come forward to take up the work.
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"The government is continuing its efforts and will resolve this problem soon," he said.
On a query regarding fluoride content in water, the minister said water quality testing is being conducted monthly in all zilla panchayats.
"Laboratories have been opened for this purpose. Around 6.5 lakh water samples have been tested across the state, and water testing kits have been provided to villages," he added.
