GECs
Demerged Zee Telefilms starts trading on a strong note
MUMBAI: Subhash Chandra couldn’t have hoped for a better start to the first day’s trading of Zee Telefilm’s demerged entity. Zee Entertainment Ltd, which also temporarily houses the direct-to-home (DTH) business, opened on Monday at Rs 249 on the BSE, touched a high of Rs 297.80, before closing the day at Rs 272.20 with 3.45 million shares changing hands at the counter.
On the NSE, the scrip opened at Rs 275 and closed marginally lower at Rs 273. “This was more or less in line with the market expectations. Though the scrip fell 20 per cent from the previous close of Rs 341, this was the first day’s trading of the demerged entity. The stock witnessed heavy trading,” a market analyst said.
Zee’s other two demerged entities – Wire & Wireless India Ltd. (WWIL) and Zee News Ltd. (ZNL) – would get listed independently, after relevant approvals from the stock exchanges. Listing is likely in January 2007.
The process of getting approval of Zee’s DTH business under Dish TV is underway. A separate record date for the demerger of Dish TV will be announced. Till then, Zee Entertainment Ltd will include Dish TV while trading on the stock exchanges.
“The value of both the companies is embedded in the current scrip price. Investors, after all, will get shares in Dish TV when it is demerged,” said an analyst in a stock broking firm.
After Dish TV gets listed, Zee Entertainment Ltd could see a drop in price. “But the sum of parts will be higher than the current level. We see it somewhere in the Rs 320-330 range,” the analyst said.
Zee TV’s ratings are also going up and as the second largest general entertainment channel, it will be able to exploit advertising revenues which should get more properly reflected in the next fiscal, the analyst added.
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.
