GECs
BBC World to launch ‘India Business Report: Bollywood Inc’ on 3 July
MUMBAI: Bollywood is coming to BBC! BBC World will feature a show India Business Report: Bollywood Inc, which will examines the business of Bollywood world. The show will air from 3 July onwards at 11 am.
The series India Business Report: Bollywood Inc. will take an in-depth look at significant facets of this fascinating industry, and will speak to Bollywood’s leading film personalities, financial firms and cinema analysts about modes of financing, in-film branding, the advent of new age technology, fancy multiplexes, international marketing and overseas sales, informs an official communiqué.
The series will explore one of the most important phases of the Indian film industry, its corporatisation.
The series begins this weekend with an overview of Bollywood, talking to filmmakers and film historians such as Shyam Benegal, Suresh Chabaria and Manmohan Shetty.
According to the release India produces more than 800 feature films every year in almost a dozen languages. However Anindya Roychowdhury, an analyst at KPMG, comments: “Indian film industry revenues are around US$1.3 billion and Bollywood is, say, only 40 per cent of that, which is around US$600-700 million. But in reality it’s Bollywood, which actually controls the psyche, has a large influence on every Indian psyche.”
In the following weeks, Bollywood Inc would showcase a look at film financing and analyses sources of funding such as individuals, institutions and corporate entities. The series also highlights the key elements in Bollywood’s value chain, from distribution networks, multiplexes, international film marts such as IIFA.
The programme brings viewers face to face with Bollywood’s new age directors, and charts the evolution of an actor into a superstar, examining the association between actors and advertising. Another episode explores the relationship between Bollywood’s famous song and dance routines and the brand-building exercise behind some of the greatest blockbusters.
Finally, the programme explores the challenges faced in marketing a movie and the concept of integrated selling using multiple media vehicles.
India Business Report: Bollywood Inc is sponsored by Skoda and LG, and produced for BBC World by UTV.
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.
