GECs
Channel 4’s Bollywood reality contest irks UK-Asians
MUMBAI: Channel 4’s reality television contest Bollywood Star has created a stir among the Asian community in the UK, with critics alleging that the show is the channel’s ploy to improve its ratings by cashing in on Bollywood’s fame in Britain.
The show starts on Tuesday, 1 June. The winner of the show will get a key role in a soon-to-go-on-the-floors movie to be directed by Mahesh Bhatt.
Bollywood films have been doing well in the UK box office of late with Bollywood filmmakers conceiving themes keeping the UK-Indian audience in mind. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical “Bombay Dreams” was a sell-out and Television stations and cinemas have been devoting special seasons to Indian films.
London-based Eastern Eye newspaper’s showbiz editor Asjad Nazir is quoted in media reports as saying “the program is a complete rip-off for Asian people.” Nazir alleges that none of the judges in the contest has top Bollywood credentials.
But, in their turn, Channel 4 has claimed that the members of the judging committee music producer Bally Sagoo, BBC Radio 1 DJ Bobby Friction, choreographer Honey Kalaria and actress Sophiya Haque had Bollywood connections.
The Channel 4 spokeswoman is quoted as saying, “instead of being simply a talent show this one allows people to deal with cultural identity in an entertainment format that lets Asian culture speak for itself.”
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.
