GECs
‘India TV’s Most Wanted’ soars on popularity chart
MUMBAI: India TV’s Most Wanted, the crime show on India TV with Suhaib Ilyasi as host has been steadily climbing the popularity charts among viewers. What’s more, in keeping with the ethos of creating programming that looks into the humane aspect of societal norms, the show went on air on 13 June and as of today, this show has helped in capturing almost a dozen criminals.
Says Ilyasi, “We have managed to strike a chord across the border, with Pakistan. From 15 year old Soniya Khan’s correspondence, it can be gauged that India TV’s Most Wanted has become a big grosser in her country, for this warm teenager has decided toutilise our programme as the search engine for her lost relatives in India.”
Ilyasi informed that Khan, who is a resident of Karachi e-mailed them on 28 September with the hope that they could help track down her relatives – Mirza Mashood Raza and Mirza Wasi Raza, residing in Delhi and Muradabad respectively, when last heard of.
With the benign intention of putting across this little girl’s message to all parts of India, India TV’s Most Wanted went on air with the story of her divided family and her hopes of retrieving her lost relatives on 10 October. Within a few hours, Khan’s extended family had been traced to a South Delhi suburb, Ghaffar Manzil. This was possible with the help of the show’s viewer who immediately responded with the valuable information. Though both her elderly relatives were no more, they are survived by their children, informed Ilyasi. Hence, this time, India TV’s Most Wanted managed to track down individuals of a different kind – not criminals – but a little girl’s long lost relatives.
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.
