GECs
Coke’s Amit Jain appointed MTV India managing director
MUMBAI: MTV India took its time at finding a replacement but finally the anouncement has been made.
Amit Jain, vice-president, regional operations Coke India is joining MTV India as managing director and executive vice-president MTV Networks Asia, directly filling the vacancy left after Alex Kuruvilla’s sudden departure at the end of June.
Jain joins the company on 1 January 2006 and will be responsible for leading the business and creative development across all the MTV brands in India, while seeking out new opportunities to grow the business in the region.
All division heads in MTV India and general Managers of Nick and Vh1 will report to Amit Jain.
“India is a strategic priority for MTVN and we are excited to have Amit, with his tremendous track record in a highly competitive youth market, to take our business to the next level,” says MTVN International president Bill Roedy.
“India’s vibrant, diverse cultures provide the perfect complement to the MTVN brands, which celebrate and reflect local creativity, while also providing the best in international content, ” adds Roedy.
Commenting on his appointment, Jain said, “I’m incredibly excited to be a part of the talented MTV Networks team in India. With three strong brands – MTV, Nick and Vh1 – MTV Networks India is uniquely placed in the television entertainment domain and I look forward to the excitement of driving these brands further on their growth curves.”
Jain will report directly to the MTV Networks Asia Pacific president Frank Brown, whose tenure ends on 10 December. The announcement regarding Brown’s replacement is also pending.
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.
