GECs
Channel [V] announce winners of VJ Freshers ’06
MUMBAI: Channel [V] has announced the toppers of VJ Freshers – Batch of 2006. Neil Bhoopalam from Mumbai and Tanveer Gill from New Delhi graduated as gold medallists and were appointed for Channel [V] VJ’s, who will get to be the ‘next big thing’ on television.
The seven finalists participated in front of a faculty comprising Ranvir Shourie, Vinay Pathak, ad man Prahlad Kakkar and Channel [V] head honcho Amar K Deb and people from the music industry, the media and other celebrities.
In an effort to showcase their talent, the seven finalists walked the ramp to showcase Pantaloon’s new collection, performed to a musical and faced a volley of questions thrown at them by the mentors.
From the total applications received, Channel [V] and the faculty members, selected eight finalists from across the country who spent a week at Goa wherein they were put to the test; leading up to the selection of the final winners.
Commenting on quest for a VJ Fresher Channel [V] head honcho Amar K Deb said, ” My school has always shaped the best students like Sophia Haque, Meghana Reddy, Laila Rouss, Ranvir Shourie, Pia Rai Choudhury and many more. And this year as well has my teachers have nurtured the best, and we all would like to wish Neil Bhoopalam and Tanveer Gill, all the very best as they are set to make the world sit up and take notice.”
Announcing the winner of VJ Freshers Shorey said, “We don’t believe it that we have finally decided who the winners are, it has actually been a very tough job. We had fun though.all seven students have been really cool and we have tried to train them in all different spheres so that they have a solution to all problems.”
Pathak added, “We are feeling very lonely now as the graduation day is over and we will not be able to spend any time with them. But we would like to wish all of them luck and specially Neil Bhoopalam and Tanveer Gill, as they will be the next big sensation on television.”
Commenting on the win Bhoopalam said, “I have worked very hard for this title…I ate a lot of fish, I spent a lot of time observing people’s reaction when they trip and fall, watched a lot of Channel [V] and I think that’s what gave me an edge above others.”
Gill said, “I would like to thank my teachers who supported and guided me through my journey specially Ranvir, Vinay and Channel [V] VJ’s. I still can’t believe it, my dreams have finally come true.”
The finale episode of Pantaloons presents [V] VJ Freshers styled By Maybelline New York will be aired on 24 December in a one-hour special starting 12 noon.
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.
