GECs
Karisma to star in daily soap on Sahara TV
MUMBAI: One could be forgiven for thinking some new Bollywood blockbuster was going on the floors. Screen siren Karisma Kapoor is there in a double role, along with a whole jing bang of lesser stars. It is not a movie though but the next big daily soap (maybe monster soap is a better word) and it’s coming on Sahara TV in November.
The series has been conceived and created by Akash Deep, and has Karisma in a double role. It is being directed by Anurag Bansal, says Deep who is also the producer. Deep confirmed that the series, for which shooting is just about to start, is a daily soap and would be airing on Sahara TV in the 9 pm slot. Deep said the serial would be titled Karishma.
The other actors in this Bollywood star top heavy production are Sanjay Kapoor, Arbaaz Khan, Arshad Wasi, Sharad lapoor, Jugal hansraj, Sheeba, Apoorva Agnihotri, Vijay Raj, Salil Ankola, Pavan Malhotra, Parmit Shetty and Reshma Modi.
The writer is Sachin Bhowmik, screenplay by R Talukdar, and dialogues have been delivered by Naeem Izaaz, Deep says.
While details as to the kind of the money going into the serial were not immideately available Karisma will reportedly be paid an eight-figure fee that rivals the kind of monies doled out to the Big B Amitabh Bachchan for KBC on Star Plus.add just the costs of all the other stars in this mega soap and Karishma looks like being the costliest series ever made on Indian television.
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.
