GECs
Star Plus spotlights 26 Changemakers to shape a New India
Mumbai: Star Plus announces the second season of “TED Talks India NayiBaat,” a collaboration with TED, the globally celebrated nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. The new season reflects the narrative of a vibrant, fast evolving new India – bolder, brighter, braver.
A legacy of passivity and acceptance is giving way to a society that is demanding and driving change. Armed with optimism, young millennial minds are leading the way, becoming change makers, because they believe their innovative ideas and spirits are bigger than the odds they face. “TED Talks India NayiBaat” turns the spotlight on ordinary Indians doing extraordinary work. These visionaries and everyday heroes will spark new conversations, infuse movements with energy and inspire a billion imaginations to action.
The show will be aired over weekends in Hindi, English, Tamil, Bangla and Telugu across Star Plus, Nat Geo, Hotstar and Star World, starting November 2nd.
Sanjay Gupta, Country Manager, Star & Disney India,said,“With TED Talks India NayiBaat, our goal is to showcase, celebrate and support the unsung visionaries who are working towards making a positive impact on society. I believe that a nation is built on the ideas and values of its people. We hope that the ideas and work of our featured speakers inspire our youth to don the role of a social change agent.”
Shah Rukh Khan said, “On the show, I witnessed so much passion – people with pathbreaking ideas are disrupting the shackles of the impossible and finding solutions. TED Talks India is a mirror of the new face of India. It is all about being future ready and future focused. I am in awe of the diverse spectrum of speakers this season. On one hand, we have a 13-year-old scientist creating amazing inventions; on the other is a woman from Bundelkhand empowering thousands of Indian girls. This kind of television content is time-defining. It is the need of the hour.”
Chris Anderson, Head of TED, added, “India has a spirit of optimism and continuous evolution that’s beautifully captured in this series. From speakers on the TED stage to hundreds of TEDx events organized across the country, TED has had a longstanding relationship with India. We’re thrilled to continue to collaborate with Star Network to showcase the brilliant ideas that can shape the India of tomorrow.”
Tuning into the intelligent audience in this new India, aware of its potential and possibilities, Star Plus is committed to developing landmark content that is both entertaining and socially progressive. Over the years, milestone shows like Satyamev Jayate, Rubaru Roshni and the recent live telecast of Chandrayaan 2 have been some of the celebrated initiatives from the network.
Stay Tuned for TED Talks India NayiBaat, starting November 2rd, 2019 at 9.30 p.m. on Star Plus
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.
