Kolhapur, December 19, 2016: Lokmat, Maharashtra’s and Goa’s No.1 daily hosted Lokmat Chi Dangal Kushti Competition – an all Maharashtra women wrestling match today in Kolhapur, the Kushti city of Maharashtra. Dangal Superstar, Aamir Khan felicitated the winner of the competition and also shared his experience of the movie, his first visit to Kolhapur and lots more with over 2000 people who came for the event at Lokmat printing press in Kolhapur. Present for the event apart from Mr. Aamir Khan – Ms. Hasina Faras - Mayor of Kolhapur; Mr. Dhananjay Mhadik - MP Kolhapur; Mr. Nitish Tiwari - Director of Dangal, Sanya Malhotra and Fatima Shaikh - Dangal girls, Shrenik Ghodawat – Director of Sanjay Ghodawat Group and Mr. Vijay Darda - Chairman Lokmat Media Pvt Ltd.Commenting on this live interaction added in Marathi, superstar Aamir Khan(Actor & Producer, Dangal) said that, “I would like to thank Lokmat for hosting the Kushti competition and providing a platform for women wrestlers to showcase their talent. I have wonderful memories associated with this city since 14 years of age when I came to Kolhapur for a Tennis Competition and won it too. With every movie, it’s a journey where hopes are high. The Dangal actresses have been trained at an international level of wrestling which they practiced for a year now. My intent is to create a people’s movement across Maharashtra with our Pani NGO Initiative to ensure good drinking water across villages and towns. ”
Aamir Khan kickstarted printing of Sakhi Magazine of Lokmat - the largest women special supplement in Maharashtra empowering women. He connected with the audience by speaking in Marathi and also spoke about his upcoming movie Thugs of Hindustan for which he is sporting a beard.
Mr. Vijay Darda, Chairman, Lokmat Media said that, “We are delighted to have Aamir Khan Visit Kolhapur, the Kushti city of Maharashtra where Lokmat has a significant presence. Aamir Khan is doing good work for the society by creating films that spread a social message. Like him Lokmat also has been instrumental in creating a platform for empowering women with Sakhi Manch, giving a platform to next generation with YuvaNext and also connecting with kids under Bal Vikas Manch. These kind of reader connect programs with movie actors gives our readers a rare opportunity to hear great actors live and experience their magic. Lokmat makes and will continue its endeavour to showcase tier 2 cities in Maharashtra by interesting movie alliances.”
Women participated from various cities converged in Kolhapur for a mega wrestling competition and showcased their wrestling skills against each other. Aamir Khan announced and awarded Kolhapur’s No. 1 Kushti Champion with a silver gadda. He also unveiled trophy for Lokmat’s upcoming initiative – Maharashtra’s Stylish Awards.
About Lokmat:
Lokmat Media Pvt. Ltd. is a leading multi-platform media company with interests in a diversified portfolio of publishing, broadcast, digital, entertainment, community and social verticals. ‘Lokmat’ is the largest read regional language newspaper in India with 23.5 million readers (Source: Total Readership, IRS ’12 Q4) and the No. 1 Marathi newspaper in the country with 11 editions and a circulation of 1.4 million copies (Source: Audit Bureau of Circulation, July - Dec '14). ‘Lokmat Samachar’, with 3 editions is one of the largest read Hindi daily in the country with over 1.3 million readers (Source: Total Readership, IRS ’12 Q4). ‘Lokmat Times’ has 3 editions. Lokmat has recently been awarded India’s Most Attractive Brand – Print in 2016 and received ABCI Award in Environmental Category for it Social Initiative for Save Water called ‘Jalmitra’.