GECs
Non-Kannada filmdom retaliates to shortened moratorium
BANGALORE: Unhappy with the three-week moratorium solution, the Indian filmdom has reacted strongly to the decision taken by a meeting chaired by the Karnataka deputy chief minister Siddharamiah.
The Film Federation of India, the South India Film Chambers of Commerce, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have now decided to go ahead with their decision to enforce the following embargos against the Kannada film industry:
(1) No other language film will be released in Karnataka.
(2) No hero, heroines, directors, singers, and technicians, including junior artistes from other languages will work in Kannada films.
(3) No other language film producers will produce Kannada films.
(4) No Kannada actors, producers or technicians will be permitted to work in any other industry.
(5) No Kannada films will be dubbed in any other language.
(6) No shooting will be done in Karnataka by any other language, Kannada films will be refused permission to shoot outside Kannada
(7) Roping in Hollywood, Kodak and Fuji will be asked to limit raw stock to Kannada films, and Dolby and DTS be asked to stop giving their equipment to the state.
In a meeting chaired by the deputy CM last week, the Kannada filmdom had decided to reduce the moratorium on the release of non-Kannada films in Karnataka from seven weeks to three weeks. It is learnt that the non-Kannada film distributors and exhibitors were not present at the meeting.
Reportedly, many producers across the country have to follow Gemini films footsteps and approach the SC to knock some sense in the persons behind the moratorium. Some have decided to distribute and have simultaneous releases across the country including Karnataka at their own expenses if distributors in Karnataka don’t do it.
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.
