GECs
Animal Planet once again looks at ‘Animal Icons’
MUMBAI: Animal Planet which is devoted to the animal world has announced that its show Animal Icons has returned.
The show looks at animals of fact and fiction that have sparked pop culture frenzies and merchandising mammoths for generations. From comic book heroes like Batman to larger-than-life Hollywood giants like King Kong, creative writers and artists have taken endless inspiration from real – but no less remarkable – earth-roaming animals.
Each episode looks at different phenomena – ranging from cartoons to fast cars to holiday tales to cinematic adventures – generated by human fascination with these amazing animals. The show will air every Sunday at 11 pm.
Viewers follow interviews with historians, animal experts and celebrities of the human variation to discover the evolution of real-life animals to extraordinary idols that have captivated the imaginations and adventurous spirits of people for generations.
This season includes appearances by famous personalities like directors Steven Spielberg and John Landis, writer Stan Lee and actors Kurt Russel, David Hasselhoff and Jeff Goldblum. Combined with film clips and rare footage, each episode helps to answer the question: why have these characters become pop culture icons around the globe?
The episode Animated Animals airs on 26 November 2006. It takes a fast-paced, funny and informative tour through the history of cartoon cinema and television, to explain how animals in animation are usually metaphors for the best, worst and funniest aspects of human behaviour.
Comic Book Creatures airs on 3 December, 2006. From comic book heroes like Batman to larger-than-life Hollywood giants like King Kong, this episode looks at different phenomena – ranging from cartoons to fast cars to holiday tales to cinematic adventures, generated by human fascination with these amazing animals.
Animals On Wheels airs on 10 December. This episode will feature the fastest – and fastest-selling – automobiles to hit the roads, as well as the men and women who love them. It offers a look at how cars and animals have become irrevocably intertwined.
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.
