GECs
No kidding for Star on kids’ broadcasting day
This Sunday, 9 December, kids rule the roost on the Star Network. After all it is International Children’s Day of Broadcasting (ICDB).
Through a series of special programmes, children will express their fears, anxieties and uncertainties. Star’s basic message is that every child has the right to education and children are necessary for the world to grow. Through this programming initiative, the network also wants to send the message across to adults that they are wrong to think that they know all that is best for the kids.
On Sunday Star News will have a special episode of Star Talk at 7:30 pm where information & broadcasting minister Sushma Swaraj will face some tough questions from children.
Network driver Star Plus will showcase the celebrated children’s film Halo directed by Santosh Sivam (The Terrorist).
This will be followed by Chalti Ka Naam Antakshri. Anchored by Sachin & Shruti, the studio will be packed with children singing and dancing a tune of their own.
Star Gold has a delightful lineup of its own. At 12:30 pm Mammo will be shown. It stars Farida Jalal and Surekha Sikri. Then at 3 pm Bachpan with the late Sanjeev Kumar starring goes on air. This will be followed by Hip Hip Hurray. Directed by Prakash Jha it stars Raj Kiran and Deepti Naval. The film deals with the experience of going to school. The turmoil and adulation one receives is at the core of the story.
Finally the network’s music channel Channel [V] will run five fillers throughout the day. These fillers will consist of pictures that kids have taken. Their progress will also be tracked by the Channel [V] team.
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.
