GECs
Colors unveils a new note on family relationships with ‘Swaragini’
MUMBAI: Some relationships bring joy; some bring sadness and some bring anger just by the virtue of being broken beyond repair. This March, COLORS joins hands with Rashmi Sharma Telefilms to present an all-new television offering, Swaragini, which is set in the milieu of culturally rich Kolkata. The show narrates the story of two warring neighborhood families – the Bose and Gadodia families with diverse value systems. Swara and Ragini the daughters from these two families have distinctly different personalities shaped by their upbringing. Swaragini is a journey of how Swara and Ragini discover their true identities and hold onto their family ties and ideals in a fractured and uncordial environment which is a result of a concealing past. Whether they will be able to bridge the ever-widening divide between their families is, in fact, the question of the hour. Swaragini is set to hit airwaves starting 2nd March, 2015 and will air every Monday to Friday at 9:30 PM on Colors.
Speaking about the launch of Swaragini, Manisha Sharma, Programming Head – COLORS, said, “Drama and entertainment are two essentials of a television offering which make for a gripping watch. As we venture into unchartered territory while exploring the fresh backdrop of Kolkata in Swaragini, our focus remains on creating a narrative that will enthrall viewers. The legendary divide between different cultures and their subsequent dysfunctional relations are at the helm of Swaragini’s storyline. The show will be premiering in the 9:30 PM primetime timeslot which will bring the tale featuring real and identifiable characters suitable for family viewing.”
Swara (played by Helly Shah)and Ragini’s (played by Tejaswi Prakash) dissimilar personalities are primarily influenced by their grandmothers Shobha (essayed by Tanima Sen) and Parvati (essayed by Alka Kaushal) who also hold tight reins over Swara’s mother Sharmishtha (portrayed by Parinita Borthakur) and Ragini’s father Shekhar (portrayed by Sachin Tyagi) respectively. The show builds on the love-hate relationship that runs deep in the psyche of Kolkata – a divide between the articulate, thoughtful Bengalis and the fierce, ambitious Marwaris.
Swaragini has been shot in authentic locations across Kolkata including Howrah Bridge, Victoria Memorial, Tram Lines between Kidderpore and Dalhousie, Kalighat Mandir, Millennium Park, Dakshineshwar Kali Temple and multiple more locations that showcase the cultural mix that Kolkata offers.
To ensure that the authentic feel of Kolkata trickles through the entire show, a special set has been designed in Mumbai which recreates Kolkata and brings alive the different nuances which the make the city a truly delightful treat for viewers.
Commenting on her brand-new television venture, producer Rashmi Sharma from Rashmi Sharma Telefilms, said, “Swaragini is a family-driven show with real characters who together narrate a story of inter-cultural family conflicts and how they can be overcome. With cast from varied cultures, our focus has been to recreate the real-life Bengali-Marwari divide to further build relatability among viewers. Kolkata is a melting pot of cultures and this is the first time that we are shooting here. Every bit of our experience has been enriching and we hope that the audience enjoy our narrative through the eyes of our protagonists.”
To promote the show, the channel has chalked out a comprehensive 360-degree marketing campaign that includes on-air promotions, outdoor media, communications strategies and extensive digital initiatives. The campaign aims at driving concentrated engagement with the consumers via various mediums so as to create maximum buzz and eye balls for the show.
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
