GECs
TV channels line up special shows for Independence Day
MUMBAI: The country is gearing up to celebrate India’s 74 Independence Day. The patriotic fervor is in the air. However this year’s Independence Day, which is traditionally marked with a lot of pomp and gaiety, will be subdued and restricted due to the circumstances created by the Covid2019 pandemic. But broadcasters are keeping up the spirit. From Hindi general entertainment channels to English GECs to news and movie channels, all have donned the colours of the tricolour.
Channels have curated special programming line ups to entertain audiences.
Colors
The team at Colors’ Khatron Ke Khiladi: Made in India in a special episode honour’s braveheart warriors that will air on 15 August 2020 – Independence Day.
The real khiladis who will be felicitated on the episode are senior police officer Ramesh Nangare, Dr Anil Panchekar, and Pune’s ‘Warrior Aaji’ Shanta Balu Pawar. The khiladis will share their stories and reflect on their experiences as they worked courageously in the face of the pandemic. Senior police officer Ramesh Nangare and his team policed the city fearlessly during the pandemic. Dr Anil Panchekar worked tirelessly in Dharavi which was one of the most Covid2019 affected areas in Mumbai. Warrior Aaji Shanta Balu Pawar, whose earnings were affected because of the pandemic, performed some fearless lathi stunts to earn a living for her family. The courageous acts by the real khiladi’s will be celebrated on the show.
Comedy Central India and Colors Infinity
Comedy Central India and Colors Infinity have curated special programming with Indian-origin actors that have carved a niche on the international scene and become globally recognised stars. Starting 11am on the 74 Independence Day, you can watch 73 of the best Koothrappali special episodes of The Big Bang Theory starring Kunal Nayyar as Raj Koothrappali.
Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon under its initiative #SochKaroUpgrade intends to throw light on environmental issues the planet is facing and simple ways to create a change.
The campaign actively seeks individuals to take the pledge on nickindia.com to protect nature and lists three commitments including planting a tree, discontinue the use of plastic bags, and save water. he franchise is extensively promoting the campaign on-air and on digital with promos and through an array of activities to drive awareness on steps to bring about a change.
A popular doodle artist Woodle Doodle Designs also did a series of graphic illustrations to drive the message to social media audiences.
&Pictures
&pictures celebrates and salutes the bravery of ordinary people with extraordinary courage with the Hindi Television Premiere of Hotel Mumbai on 16 August. Based on true events, the visually breathtaking movie recounts the 2008 siege of the famed Taj Hotel in Mumbai and how the fearless staff risked their lives to protect their guests.
MTV
In its newly released brand film, MTV shows people from different walks of life in 2019, criticising the monotony of college life, everyday hassle of traveling to office, also talking about how partying is done to death for youngsters and being self-dependent is an overrated concept.
Viacom18 head of marketing – youth, music and English entertainment Navin Shenoy said, “The unprecedented times brought upon us by the pandemic has curtailed what impacts the youth most – their freedom to live as they deem fit. With this film for Independence Day, we wanted to put the spotlight on that everyday freedom and gratitude for it.”
Zee Cinemas
Zee Cinema is all set to celebrate this special day with the world television premiere of Good Newwz. Directed by Raj Mehta, the blockbuster family entertainer revolves around the hilarious roller coaster journey of two couples who find themselves in an unusual situation because of a medical goof up.
Zee Anmol
Zee Anmol Cinema celebrates the patriotic fervor with ‘Naye Bharat Ka Naya Josh’, a day long movie festival on 15 August. Celebrating this auspicious occasion with Full JOSH, the specially curated movie line up will transport you into a world of bravery, resilience and determination that will evoke the patriot in you. Kickstarting your day with the patriotic flavour will be the action thriller Pukar at 9.30 am. Commending the spirit of heroism and passion will be the thrilling channel premiere of Surya The Soldierstarring Allu Arjun and Anu Emmanuel. It will start at 1 pm, the movie revolves around an aggressive soldier who aspires to serve at the borders but find trouble after getting into brawls and killing a terrorist. Vidyut Jammwal starrer Commando 2 will be kick starting at 4.30 pm, the movie traces the journey of Commando Karanveer Singh Dogra who is on a mission to eradicate corruption.
Sony PIX
On the occasion of Independence Day, Sony PIX will celebrate bravery, grit and courage with blockbuster movies like Mortal Engines, The Incredible Hulk, Furious 7, Jurassic World, Battleship and Rampage, all day on 15 August.
EPIC TV
The channel brings to fore the extraordinary Indians and their contributions, achievements, and commitment to build a united and free India. Starting from 7 am on 15 August 2020, audiences can watch Bharat Ki Awaaz for iconic speeches by freedom fighters. In the thoroughly researched ‘Epic Ke Dus’, a panel of experts giving their views, highlighting the significance of the events, and describing the mood of the era.
Adrishya gives an experience from the point of view of India’s greatest spies like Aziz Un Nisa, Durga Bhabhi, Saraswati Rajamani, Ajit Doval and more. The series revisits the lives of these spies – the danger, the fear, the triumphs and the captures, bringing the spy’s heroic acts through their eyes. And in ‘Ekaant’ visit the famous Cellular Jail in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, which is a dark reminiscence of the British rule in the Indian subcontinent. It’s a place where freedom fighters were kept before the independence of India. This place has witnessed the torture and pain given to the people imprisoned here after the first war of independence. This episode gives a glimpse of years of India’s struggle for freedom.
ShowBox
ShowBox’s musical programming for Independence day rides high on the wave of patriotism with a specially curated playlist, ‘Freedom Wala Swag’ that will evoke a truckload of nostalgia and overwhelming feelings of being an India. The playlist will air popular songs with touching melodies and powerful lyrics, including Aisa Desh Hai Mera, Desh Rangila, Chak De India. The playlist will be aired between 10 am and 2 pm.
Filamchi
Bhojpuri movie channel, Filamchi also takes a dip in the mood of the day with movies like India Versus Pakistan, Love Aur Rajneeti, Ziddi, Khiladi and Dulhe Raaja, which features leading superstars like Pawan Singh, Ravi Kishan, Khesari Lal and Dinesh Lal to charm the audiences with their drama.
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.
