GECs
Bennett, Coleman eyes small stake in Sahara One
MUMBAI: Bennett, Coleman & Company Ltd (BCCL) is in talks with Sahara One Media and Entertainment to take around five per cent stake in the company.
BCCL (publishers of Times of India and the Group is 74 per cent stakeholder in Times Now news channel) picks up small stakes in various companies as a barter transaction for advertisements that it puts up for clients on its media vehicles.
“Negotiations are on at this stage,” a source who is familiar with the talks said.
When contacted, Percept Holdings joint managing director Shailendra Singh declined to comment on the issue. Percept has a management contract to handle Sahara’s entertainment business.
BCCL president Arun Arora could not be contacted.
Speaking on Sahara One Media and Entertainment, Singh said the company was on a growth trajectory and had expansion plans.
“We are considering the launch of a music channel within six months. If the plans firm up, Sahara One’s bouquet will comprise a general entertainment, a movie and a music channel,” he added.
Sahara One Media and Entertainment is seeking board approval to consider raising resources through debt, equity or a mix of both. The amount will be decided after finalising the expansion plans of the company for its movie and TV content business.
Sahara had appointed Ernst & Young to value its media and entertainment business. The consulting firm has recently submitted the report.
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.
