GECs
Chopra’s threat delays KFPA plans for blocking patrons of non-Kannada films
BANGALORE: Id, Monday,15 November, was a tumultuous day and the start of a tumultuous week at Cauvery theater in Bangalore. Plans to release Veer Zara were temporarily put on the back burner for the morning show due to protests from activists sent by the Kannada film lobby.
Many of them landed up in police custody to join some of their brethren who had been arrested a day before.
Of the three theaters, which had decided to release Veer Zara on Monday, Cauvery was the only one that went ahead with the release. The morning show had to canceled because of the protests. The theater later went ahead with the screening of the evening and the night shows, but, only balcony tickets were sold to prevent damage to the screen if any miscreants filtered thorough the body search carried out on every patron who wanted to see the movie by the police.
The other two theaters backed out from screening the movie on Monday because the police chief said he did not have sufficient policemen to deploy to all the theaters in view of the Id celebrations. Since Tuesday, Vaibhav and Swagth have started screening the film amidst tight police security. The film has been distributed directly by Yash Chopra.
Tuesday afternoon saw serpentine queues outside Cauvery theater in spite of a self-immolation bid by some activists of the Kannada Rakshana Vedike, 12 of whom were arrested.
The KFPA had plans to take to the streets from last Thursday onwards to protest the defying of the ‘self-imposed’ three-week moratorium forced on the exhibitors during a meeting called for by the government formed Pandey committee on 20 October. This meeting was chaired by the Deputy CM of the state.
However, following Chopra’s threat to approach the Supreme Court against the government and the police commissioner for contempt of Court, chief minister Dharam Singh intervened late last evening and averted what could possibly have been a violent showdown between the exhibitors and the KFPA activists. The KFPA has decided to put on hold their plans to take to the streets.
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.
