GECs
After Madhuri Dixit, Shahid Kapoor debuts as judge on ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa’
MUMBAI: Colors popular dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa has always given popular stars a platform to debut on TV as a judge. Madhuri Dixit being the biggest example, who was a part of the Jhalak panel for three years.
To focus on other projects, Dixit has decided to take a break from the show this year. Replacing her will be critically acclaimed actor and dancer, Shahid Kapoor as a judge on the show.
Kapoor will take viewers on a whirlwind journey of his dance roots that have been instrumental in catapulting his acting career as well.
Colors CEO Raj Nayak believes that television has become the primary choice of engagement for the film industry with its reach and direct audience connect making it centre stage for mainstream popular entertainment.
He said, “At Colors, we have a legacy of providing the perfect platform to the biggest names from the film industry like Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor , Akshay Kumar, Rohit Shetty , Anupam Kher Priyanka Chopra , Madhuri Dixit-Nene etc among others, to move one step closer to their viewers through interactive and engaging formats. We are excited to welcome Kapoor to the Colors family through his TV debut as judge on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa; on the back of the box-office success of his latest films, with the most recent feather on his cap by bagging the top honours at IIFA.”
Kapoor added, “When I first took up dancing, I had the privilege to work closely with some great mentors who not only honed my dance skills, but also helped me to shape my personality. As I join the Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa family as its judge, I am looking forward to share my learnings and experience with the contestants. Being a dancer brought discipline to my life and changed it completely; I’m now hoping to transfer some of the knowledge towards shaping the young and talented choreographers in our country.”
“Kapoor’s appeal is enormous across age groups, especially amongst youth who take inspiration from his career graph from being a dancer to becoming one of today’s most sought after actors. His understanding of dance is unparalleled and his contribution to Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa will enable us to raise the bar of entertainment that the show brings to viewers year-after-year. Having said that, we would also like to thank Madhuri Dixit-Nene for being the ultimate connoisseur of Jhalak; this journey would not have been possible without her.”
As per sources close to the development, the show is going on floors from 29 June and will go on-air in July.
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.
