GECs
Sony steps into southern markets with regional-first play
MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has formally set its sights on southern India, unveiling a leadership realignment that sharpens its entry into the region as part of a broader strategic reset.
The move comes under a refreshed operating model designed to reposition SPNI as a content-first, platform-agnostic and multilingual entertainment company, with the South identified as a key growth engine. Rajaraman Sundaram has been tasked with leading the company’s regional expansion across southern markets, consolidating Sony’s ambitions in one of India’s most competitive entertainment theatres.
Southern India has emerged as a powerhouse for language-led storytelling, commanding strong television loyalty, rising OTT consumption and sustained advertiser interest. Sony’s push signals a shift away from national, Hindi-led templates towards deeper regional engagement built around local creators, formats and commissioning strategies.
Sundaram joined SPNI last year as head of content strategy, where he helped shape the network’s programming and long-term content roadmap. His expanded mandate places execution firmly in focus as Sony looks to build scale and relevance across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada ecosystems.
He brings extensive regional experience to the role, having held senior leadership positions at Viacom18, including EVP and business head of Colors Tamil, and earlier at Asianet, one of the South’s leading general entertainment networks. He also spent over a year at Disney Star in a network-level strategy role, gaining exposure to country-wide operations.
The southern push comes amid wider organisational changes at SPNI, as Sony recalibrates its portfolio to compete in an increasingly crowded broadcast and streaming market where language, culture and speed matter more than size alone.
With leadership aligned and the South firmly in its sights, Sony is making its bet clear: India’s next entertainment battleground will be regional—and it intends to arrive prepared.
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.
