GECs
Brick by Brick Zee TV Builds a Family Saga With Lakshmi Niwas
MUMBAI: For India’s joint families, the wishlist is short but stubborn, a roof of one’s own and daughters settled with dignity. Lakshmi Niwas leans into that truth, launching a family drama that treats everyday sacrifice as its main character rather than a footnote.
Staying aligned with Zee TV’s ‘Aapka Apna Zee’ philosophy, the show places its lens on the emotional arithmetic of middle-class households, where traditions tug one way and younger aspirations pull another. The story centres on Lakshmi and Srinivas, a couple who have spent 35 years in a rented home, choosing family needs over personal wants. Retirement finally gives them the courage to chase two long-deferred dreams, building a house and marrying their daughters. The cost is not financial alone; the journey tests love, expectations and the meaning of togetherness.
Manasi Joshi Roy plays Lakshmi, a devoted wife and mother of six who quietly holds the family together. She describes the role as instantly familiar, reflecting women who shoulder responsibility without applause, evolve with time and draw strength from values rather than volume. Her Lakshmi is resilient, emotionally grounded and recognisable in kitchens and courtyards across the country.
Opposite her, veteran actor Rajendra Chawla essays Srinivas, the respected family head whose wealth lies in goodwill rather than savings. For him, a home is not bricks and walls but security and belonging. He frames the show’s appeal in its honesty, capturing the silent compromises of fathers who put family first and dreams later.
The narrative is supported by a strong ensemble including Gashmeer Mahajani, Akshita Mudgal, Mansi Srivastava and Sulakshana Khatri, adding texture to a layered family portrait. Producer Rashmi Sharma Telefilms calls the series a story about dreams postponed but never forgotten, crafted to feel lived-in rather than lofty.
For the channel, the launch reinforces a familiar promise. Zee TV, chief channel officer Mangesh Kulkarni atpositions the show as a celebration of relationships and everyday realities, balancing tradition with change in households navigating modern pressures.
Lakshmi Niwas premieres on January 12, 2026, airing daily at 8 pm, only on Zee TV. In an era of spectacle, it bets on something simpler and sturdier: the power of a well-told family story, built patiently, brick by emotional brick.
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.
