GECs
Asianet launches animation show targeting Gulf
MUMBAI: Malayalam channel Asianet has launched its first-ever animation show, based on the 13th century Arab folklore character Mulla Naseeruddin. The tele-strip will air three times a week (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday).
Channel officials say that the three-minute capsule show set in the Arab background is targeted at the Gulf viewers. The show will be aired at 3 pm in India (1:30 pm UAE) with a repeat telecast at 11:30 pm (10 pm UAE).
According to Asianet chief producer M R Rajan, a group of young expats living in Dubai is behind the show. The show titled Mulla Kathakal (Mulla stories) is produced by Ishaq Madayi for Crayon Visual Media, which has offices in Kerala and UAE.
The animation is being handled by the Kochi-based Centre for Animation Technology (CAT).
It can be said that the Malayalam TV market, known for the amount of humour-based content it churns out, is slowly hugging the animation genre. Earlier Asianet had telecast the Malayalam version of the animation show The Adventures of Tenali Raman.
Asianet’s competitor Kairali TV recenlty launched a five-minute animation strip titled Kunjammaan (Uncle Kunj). Kairali had debuted in the animation realm some time back with the animation series Bobanum Moliyum (Boban & Moly).
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.
