GECs
Sony premiers 9th series of KHKH, ‘Khaall’
MUMBAI: While Star Plus’ claim to fame can be Saas Bahu genre, it’s thrillers that rule the rooster at Sony Entertainment Television. Come October 10 and Sony will launch the 9th series of its weekend thriller, Balaji Telefilms’ Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeeqat, Khaall.
A weekend thriller, which airs every Friday and Saturday 8 pm, will stretch to 16 episodes this time. Starring Achint Kaur and Sumit Sachdeva, Khaall will unveil tale of the terror and mayhem caused by a man, who is possessed by the spirit of a bloodthirsty tiger.
Speaking at a media meet, Balaji Telefilms’ creative head Ekta Kapoor said, “Portraying fear works for a serial maker. In fact, any heightened emotion works. But KHKH is not out to create any fear. If you see carefully, it’s more of fun. From here on, every KHKH story will extend to 16 episodes. It’s better to keep the suspense and thrill for a long time.”
The story and screenplay is by Mushtaq Sheikh and the series is directed by Santram Varma. The other cast members of Khaall include Ravi Gosain, Vishal Puri, Pratima Kazmi and Sandeep Rajora.
Sachdev plays Rajeev Khandelwal, a television actor turned film star, while Achint plays Niharika Oberoi, daughter of a successful producer. While both Niharika and Rajeev broach on a relation based on mutual benefit, Rajeev first love Natasha (played by Gitanjali Tikekar) is sidelined.
After an encounter with evil spirit of tiger at the jungles of Bhramtamgora, where he goes to hunt, Rajeev returns a ‘changed’ man. He unleashes an on a murderous rampage. The portion about encounter with wild has been shot in Thailand, rest of the shots have been canned in and around Mumbai.
Speaking about casting Kapoor said, “I choose Sachdev for this role because he has a ferocious look on his face, when he gets angry especially. As for Kaur, I wanted a lady with lots of style and attitude.”
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.
