GECs
Asianet to telecast sequel to ‘Sthree’
MUMBAI: Looks like television channels are adapting to the film industry’s formula of creating sequels to popular movies. Zee TV launched the second part of one of its most successful soaps Hum Panch last week. This month, the Southern television space would witness the comeback of Sthree, the Kyunki… of Malayalam television.
Asianet, which capitalised hugely on the success of Sthree during its initial run from 1998-2000, will launch a sequel to the soap in November in its primetime band. The Chennai-based production house Yantra Media, the original creator of the show, is producing the new series as well.
“We have chosen to call it as the sequel because, this is the second part of the first Sthree which came on Asianet in 1998. Sthree II starts from where Sthree I ended in 2000,” Yantra Media head Shyamsundar told indiantelevision.com.
The serial had contributed immensely to Malayalam television’s soap culture. Sthree’s success made it a brand in Malayalam television and almost all the woman-oriented serials which followed made it a point to incorporate the word ‘Sthree’ (woman) in their titles and the trend still continues.
Even Yantra Media produced four more soaps in the same name with different storylines for Asianet. Yantra’s relationship with the channel ended when it joined Sun Network in 2003. Sun doesn’t allow its Southern producers to work for rival networks. But in August this year, Yantra came to back to Asianet as it quit the Sun Network in order to tap an expanding Southern TV market.
According to Shyamsundar, Sthree II’s launch date and schedule hasn’t been finalised yet. “Asianet has been telecasting Sthree I in its afternoon band. In Mid-November, it will go off air and the sequel will begin in the primetime band,” he says.
Popular actors Sidhique and Vinayaprasad, who played the title roles in the first edition, will play key roles in the sequel as well. “Their children take the story ahead,” Shyamsundar reveals.
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.
