Rupali Ganguly & Ishika Shahi Accept Rajan Shahi’s Values in Action Award for Animal Empathy

Television producer Rajan Shahi was honoured with the ‘Values in Action Award’ for empathy towards animals at the CINEKIND Awards 2026, recognising his empathy towards bezubaan animals. As Rajan Shahi was unable to attend the ceremony personally, he requested Rupali Ganguly and Ishika Shahi to accept the prestigious honour on his behalf, making the moment even more special.

The award ceremony brought together several prominent personalities from the entertainment and social impact space, including Maneka Gandhi and Anant Ambani. For Rajan Shahi, the recognition was particularly meaningful as it celebrated values that have remained an important part of his professional and personal journey.

The occasion also highlighted the warm bond shared by Rupali Ganguly and Ishika Shahi. Having shared a close association through Rajan Shahi’s professional and creative world, the two came together to receive the honour, turning the ceremony into a memorable moment for both of them. Their camaraderie was evident as they stood together on stage to represent Rajan and accept the honour in his absence.

Rupali Ganguly, who has been closely associated with Rajan Shahi through Anupamaa, has often shared her admiration for his creative vision and the values he brings to his work. At the event, she also spoke about her connection with Ishika and the shared passion that she and the Shahi family have for animal welfare and compassion towards stray animals.

Rupali also acknowledged Ishika’s creative work through Directors Kut Productions and the messages around animal welfare that have found a place in several of her projects. Ishika’s recent series The Lift was also discussed in this context, with the show’s storyline exploring karma through a woman who is cruel towards stray animals and eventually faces the consequences of her actions.

The conversation further reflected the common values shared by Rajan and Ishika, particularly their concern for animals and their efforts to use storytelling to highlight compassion. Rupali’s appreciation for Ishika added another emotional layer to an already significant occasion.

With Rupali Ganguly and Ishika Shahi accepting the award together on Rajan Shahi’s behalf, the CINEKIND ceremony became more than just an awards moment. It brought together two people who share a strong bond with the producer and with each other, while celebrating the values of compassion, commitment and meaningful storytelling that the honour represents.