GECs
SET in for major administrative changes, ‘rightsizing’?
As senior V-P programming and production Rekha Nigam gets ready to clear her desk over the next few days, the reports coming out of Sony Entertainment Television are that there is a major restructuring in the pipeline.
In the immediate term Nachiket Pantvaidya, VP programming, and Anupama Mandloi, director programming, have been assigned the task of holding fort as it were till a final decision is made on who will replace Nigam. Additionally, a senior executive from the Los Angeles headquarters is reportedly coming down to India to check on things.
And the man who reportedly initiated the hatchet job – Los Angeles-based Columbia Tristar Television International president Michael Grindon – in India for the last three days for the very purpose, flies back tonight.
An industry observer believes that the channel has 30 to 35 people in excess at the moment and over the coming weeks and months what is likely to be witnessed is a major jettisoning process. At the end of it all there is likely to be seen a leaner, meaner organisation.
This “rightsizing” will also involve the exit of quite a few senior executives who cannot claim to have a clear role to play. And some who do have well defined ones but are seen to have fallen short on deliveries.
Grindon had reportedly scheduled a senior level meeting this evening to discuss all issues linked to the restructuring but that appears to have been put out of joint following the bomb hoax that led to the evacuation of the Sony offices earlier in the evening.
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.
