GECs
B4U’s Gautam joins UTV as film distribution, India head
MUMBAI: B4U Network chief operating officer of India operations BL Gautam has quit the company. He has joined UTV Software Communications where he will head the film distribution business in India. He will also commercially facilitate greenlighting of movie projects.
“Gautam has joined us. He will head our domestic film distribution business. He will also work closely with our movie project heads and be engaged in the commercial side of it like budgeting, reviewing the production process and negotiating,” says UTV Software Communications COO Ronald D’Mello. Aditya Shastri, who had joined UTV as COO motion pictures production, recently left the company.
Before joining B4U, Gautam was with Zee Telefilms where he served as senior vice-president and moved on to become director commercial from 2000 to 2004. Prior to that, Gautam served the Indian Government as the superintendent of customs and was awarded the presidential Award in 1998 for distinguished service in that role.
UTV has been enjoying major successes on the movie front with productions like the Aamir Khan super hit Rang De Basanti hitting the jackpot. The company has also distributed products in various territories including heavyweight titles such as Lagaan, Lakshya, Mission Kashmir, Parineeta and Viruddh.
B4U Network is yet to announce a replacement for Gautam. The company owns and runs B4U Movies and B4U Music.
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.
