GECs
Sabe TV banks on thrillers to woo audiences, improve ratings
While Star banks on saas bahu soaps and game shows to retain the top slot, Zee pegs its hopes on mythologicals after its relaunch debacle and Sahara pushes soaps to increase viewership, Sabe TV has decided to go the thriller way to inject fresh life into the channel.
 Ramesh Bhatkar returns to Sabe TV as Colonell |
The Adhikari brothers have roped in their old favourite Ramesh Bhatkar to play the lead role in Colonell, a daily series that premieres on Sabe from December 3 at 10:40 pm. With Colonell, the Adhikaris are, in all probability hoping to regain lost glory by latching on to the thriller genre that propelled them into the big league in the pre-satellite days.
The channel, which claims that Colonell is the desi version of Mr Bond, will air the serial from Mondays to Thursdays. The Colonell will be aided by a trio of super sleuths in his fight against crime. Each story within the series will run for four consecutive days, so viewers have to stay glued to the idiot box every day.
Colonell portrays a man for whom duty is first and justice vital, and how he goes around solving cases with skill, speed and panache with extraordinary outcomes to each encounter.
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Another new addition is Telethriller, a 90-minute long ‘mini-film’ to be aired on Sundays at 9:00 pm, premiering from 2 December 2001. Telethriller promises nail biting suspense, action packed chases and mind boggling drama that will keep viewers glued right up to the climax. Telethriller will have a new storyline each week.
If director Gautam Adhikari is able to wean audiences away from the all too familiar family soaps, this might just be the dose required to infuse new life into the channel. Or is Sabe banking on numerology (note the extra alphabet in Colonell) to work its magic?
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.
