GECs
Anuj Gandhi named SET Discovery president
MUMBAI: It’s now official. Anuj Gandhi, senior V-P sales and marketing, has replaced Shantonu Aditya as president of SET Discovery.
Confirming a development first put out by indiantelevision.com, an internal communiqué went out today at the Sony headquarters in Mumbai’s western suburb of Andheri that Gandhi would now be leading the distribution team at Sony.
The distribution joint venture company between SET India and Discovery Communications India was formed in 2002. SET Discovery expanded its bouquet and currently distributes not only the Sony and Discovery group of channels but also MTV, Nick, Animax, Ten Sports, Sab TV, NDTV 24×7, NDTV India and NDTV Profit.
Meanwhile Aditya, who quit the company last week, takes charge as chief executive officer of Sahara India Entertainment Management Co Ltd (SIEMCL) tomorrow (16 June), industry sources have confirmed. It needs noting here that as per earlier indications, Aditya was expected to join Sahara on 1 July.
Before his stint as the number two in the SET Discovery JV, Gandhi was heading distribution at Discovery Communications India. Gandhi joined Discovery after a stint at the Hinduja Group MSO InCableNet. Prior to that he worked for the pharmaceutical giant Ranbaxy.
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.
