GECs
Mika and Alka Yagnik sing a duet on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs
MUMBAI: It sure will be a vibrant, colourful, musical evening, when the Li’l Champs of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa celebrate Republic Day this Saturday and Sunday at 9pm. The episode with the theme of different colours of India will see these little wonders dressed in traditional attires of various states of India, singing regional songs. Adding to the fun element of the show, will be the power-packed performer and singer Mika Singh who will be seen as a special guest on the show.
Mika, was ecstatic to be amidst the Li’l Champs and brought the house down with his performance on ‘Mohe rand de basanti’. He was also quite elated to be with his buddy Shaan and was on the show to support his team of ‘Cool Boys’. The singer, who started his musical journey in 2006 has belted out quite a few chartbusters since then but never has he got the opportunity to sing with the queen of melody and Mahaguru of Sa Re Ga MaPa L’il Champs Alka Yagnik. So apart from having fun with kids and awarding them shagun of Rs 5000 each for their outstanding performances, Mika also took this opportunity to fulfill his long-standing dream. He expressed his desire to share the stage with Alka and requested her to sing a duet with him. Well, the gracious Alka Ji immediately obliged and happily came on stage. The two then sang together the popular song ‘Koi mil gaya’ from the film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. It was their first duet together and the glee on Mika’s face on his dream coming true was pretty evident. The Captains Monali and Shaan couldn’t keep themselves far away on this historical moment and soon joined the duo on stage.
The Li’l Champ who stood out with her exceptional performance this week was 11 year old, Arunita Kanjilal from West Bengal. Bringing alive the flavour of Maharashtra, dressed aptly in a green Navvari saree, she enthralled the audience and Captains alike with her performance on the famous lavani song ‘‘Haath Naka Lau Maajha Saadi La’. So apt were her expressions and harkats, that special guest Mika almost thought that this young talent hails from Maharashtra. Mahaguru Alka Yagnik went to say ‘she can be taken straight for recording and she is perfectly studio ready’. Other Li’l Champs who gave stellar performances were Aravind Nair from Cochin who sang his rendition of Sonu Niigams popular non-film number ‘Bijuriya’ and Aishwarya Saha who sang ‘Morni baga maa dole’.
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.
