GECs
Big Magic to launch fourth integrated show ‘Nautanki News’
MUMBAI: After launching three integrated shows namely Fakebook with Kavita, Chutki Baja Ke and Lete Hai Khabar Khabro Ki, Big Magic and Big FM are all set to launch a new show from their bouquet of spoofy and comedic content titled Nautanki News. The show will air from 4 November on Wednesday – Thursday at 9:30 pm time slot.
Coming on board as the host is theater actor Darshan Jariwala, who will don several hats on the show. Being played out in a fictitious news channel set-up, Jariwala will play the aggressive managing editor, and switch roles every now and then from being a news reader, to a live-reporter, to a chat show-host and even a newsroom editor.
Through mock panel discussions, live reporting and chat shows, the show will hilariously throw light on how tactics such as yellow journalism, paid news, sensationalised coverage and more, are driving the agendas of TRP-hungry news channels today, thereby promising to be an out and out laughter riot for the viewers.
Big Magic creative director Bimal Unnikrishnan said, “Nautanki News will take the entertainment quotient on Big Magic a notch higher. It will be the perfect example of combining topicality and humour. Nautanki News will throw light on the news making business as a whole in a fun and witty manner that has never been showcased before on television.”
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.
