GECs
Zee TV to tell a unique story
MUMBAI: From the past few weeks, Zee TV has been on a launch mode. There is no looking back for the channel that enjoys its steady number two position in the TAM TV ratings chart. From Jamai Raja to weekend primetime show Neeli Chhatri Wale, it has showcased the importance of relationships.
Now, with its new primetime offering – Bandhan…Saari Umar Humein Sang Rehna Hai, the channel has delved into an astonishing relationship between a little girl Darpan and Ganesha, a new-born elephant calf that she accepts as her younger brother.
Produced by Swastik Productions, it is a heart-warming story of two innocent souls and a very tender relationship that develops between the two – one based on the most basic emotion of love and affection for one’s sibling, standing by each other through thick and thin and completing each other.
Moreover, the series will take the viewers through the innocent world of Darpan and her family set in the Dalma jungle. Always longing for a little brother, Darpan’s dream comes true in the most unexpected way when destiny introduces her to Ganesha, a baby elephant. What follows is a journey of love and struggle in the big bad world for the unlikely siblings.
The show has been shot extensively in a forest where Karnik family stays in a picturesque house, a river flowing by its side. It transports viewers to a world in the woods distinctly different from the one they inhabit.
According to Zee TV programming head Namit Sharma, it marks a quantum leap for Indian television as the freshness of the concept established an all new genre of entertainment for audiences – a far cry from saas-bahu dramas, kitchen politics or anything run-off-the-mill.
Sharma added, “For the first time ever, a television show presents a unique bond between man and animal brought together in the most fascinating manner by destiny and how together, they triumph over the trials and tribulations as a family! The show has the potential to draw a much wider audience base than your average soaps as the show’s canvas and its heart-warming premise that centers on the universal emotion of sibling love will surely appeal to every member of a family.”
Producer Siddharth Kumar Tewary who has earlier worked with the channel and produced show called Agle Janam, believes that as against anything else one watches on television today, the show belongs to a world significantly different from the concretized, urban world most of them inhabit.
He further goes on to say that it’s been exciting as a challenge to transport the audience into the world of a forest ranger’s family that lives in a jungle.
“We’re shooting in real locations with the Karnik home set in an actual forest. We’re showcasing the relationship between a young girl and a baby elephant. The task of managing an elephant as a member of the cast is perhaps as big a challenge as the Karnik’s face as they embark on a journey of embracing Ganesha as a part of their family. It’s a difficult show to shoot but a joyride nonetheless.”
The show stars handsome Aditya Redji playing the role of Darpan’s father – a kind hearted and upright forest ranger and Shweta Munshi essaying the role of Darpan’s mother.
The striking Sudesh Berry is back as the epitome of terror, playing the evil poacher Vishwas Rao. Berry’s vast repertoire of work includes hard hitting and gritty characters on television and Bollywood.
On the marketing front, it is being promoted through a 360-degree marketing campaign cutting across print, television and digital media. Given the show’s premise of loving animals, the channel also plans to conduct a school contact programme across key markets wherein the channel will engage children in fun activities that celebrate their love for animals.
The show will hit the television screens from 16 September every Monday to Friday at 7pm.
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.
