GECs
Adlabs to raise Rs 400-500 mn via pvt placement
MUMBAI: Adlabs Films Ltd is planning to raise Rs 400-500 million through a private placement to fund a chain of multiplexes across the country.
The company has mandated ICICI Securities for this purpose. Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Adlabs Films chairman Manmohan Shetty says the company is planning to add seven multiplexes this year. “We are looking at raising Rs 400-500 million to meet our expansion plans,” he adds.
The company recently launched Gold Adlabs, a premium multiplex brand in Pune. At present, Adlabs Films Ltd has six per cent stake in Prime Focus Ltd, which is engaged in post production services.
Considering that Adlabs has got into movie production, an aggressive expansion of its multiplex fleet would definitely help. It will launch its first international movie, a bilingual film called ‘Marigold’ and starring Salman Khan, in collaboration with Hyperion Picture. ‘Marigold’ will be processed at the company’s film processing lab.
Adlabs started Mumbai’s first multiplex, IMAX Adlabs, which also has the world’s biggest IMAX dome theatre. After acquiring Metro, one of the oldest and most prestigious movie destinations of Mumbai, it plans to launch its multiplex version, Metro Adlabs in the near future.
Other major multiplex players in the country include Inox Leisure, a fully-owned subsidiary of Gujarat Flurochemicals (promoted by Pawan and Vivek Jain), Delhi-based PVR group and the Subhash Chandra-promoted Essel Group’s E-City.
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.
