GECs
Sony Entertainment Television returns with the third season of India’s Best Dancer
Mumbai: Giving extraordinary talent a platform to showcase their skill through its wide-ranging and impressive array of non-fiction properties, Sony Entertainment Television is all set to up the ante of entertainment with the launch of its homegrown dance reality show, India’s Best Dancer Season 3. Following the magnificent run of the previous seasons, India’s Best Dancer Season 3 Co-powered by Quick Heal and Nerolac Paint+, returns with this third edition seeking superlative dancing talent from different parts of the country. Ushering in a new era of dance, this season will commemorate those contestants whose moves will prove what they stand for, staying true to theme of the season – #HarMoveSeKarengeProve. Geeta Kapur and Terence Lewis will be reprising their roles as judges and the elegant Sonali Bendre will join them to complete the Jury Triad. Produced by Frames Production Company and hosted by Jay Bhanushali, India’s Best Dancer Season 3 starts 8 April and will air every Saturday and Sunday at 8 pm only on Sony Entertainment Television.
Starting with the auditions, the contestants will get only 90 seconds on the clock to impress judges with at least three power moves to go further in the competition. As the clock keeps tickling, the judges also known as the E.E.N.T specialists, will keep a close eye on the Emotions, Entertainment, Newness and Technique that the contestants bring forth in their acts. Judge Sonali Bendre will assess the performances on ‘Emotions and Entertainment’, while Geeta Kapur will look for ‘Newness’ in the moves and Terence Lewis will account for perfection in the ‘Technique’. The second phase will be the Mega Auditions that sees selected contestants battle it out in pairs or trios to move into the next round. With the Grand Premiere, the judges will announce the Top 12 contestants as the ‘Best Barah’ who will be introduced to their respective mentor in their journey ahead. Week on week, these 12 contestants will have to impress the judges and audience alike to move closer to winning the most coveted title of India’s Best Dancer!
Promising dance, diversity, and delight – the third season of India’s Best Dancer will make everybody groove with a spectacular blend of contestants who will showcase styles like popping, boogaloo, animation, tutting, waving, contemporary and classical amongst others.
Sony Entertainment Television head programming Sonal Yadav said, “Sony Entertainment Television believes in giving ordinary people extraordinary opportunities that enables them to pursue their passion and hone their skills. And it gives us immense pride to see our successful homegrown property – India’s Best Dancer set exceptional standards for dance and entertainment in the reality show category. This platform has been instrumental in discovering unique talent with each season witnessing new dance forms and performances that are at par with international standards; establishing a high benchmark for the contestants in this third edition. We are delighted to welcome Sonali Bendre on the judges panel alongside Terence Lewis and Geeta Kapur. Our theme – #HarMoveKaregaProve is testimony to the strength of the amazing talent we have culled out through the auditions, and we look forward to creating an entertaining and unparalleled viewing proposition for our audiences.”
Frames Production Company producers Ranjeet Thakur and Hemant Ruprell said, “We are delighted to associate with Sony Entertainment Television for the third instalment of ‘India’s Best Dancer’ and having Sonali Bendre join Geeta Kapur and Terence Lewis is a great addition to the judges’ panel. We are privileged to be providing a foundation for budding talent so that they may flourish and excel in this field. This season will witness talent who will stun one and all with their exceptional moves, truly proving why they deserve to be in the spotlight. Here’s wishing the contestants of India’s Best Dancer all the very best!”
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.
