GECs
Colors partners with Diwaili @Times Square In the US; telecast on 26 November
Mumbai: Times Square, New York is a location almost everyone heads to when visiting the Big Apple. 28 October, this year, visitors were treated to another edition of the grand Diwali festival with the square between 46 and 48 the street being transformed into a colourful tapestry of Indian culture NYC Mayor Adams, majority leader Chuck Schumer, director for United States domestic policy, Neera Tanden, and assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar lit a diya (lamp) at the famed ball drop tower with family and friends in attendance, symbolising the illumination of the soul and the dispelling of ignorance
Viacom18’s Aapka Colors channel in the US partnered with Event Guru and sponsor Gopi Dairy came on board to people from various backgrounds in the spirit of love, friendship, and togetherness.
The celebration culminated in an electrifying concert which started at 8 pm, featuring renowned artists from Bollywood, headlining the event was Mika Singh, the iconic Bollywood singer, and former American Idol contestant, Shuba. Along with, soul-stirring British Indian classical singer, Shivali. Their performances captivated the audience, making 2023’s Diwali Festival at Times Square an unforgettable experience!
“As a network dedicated to providing quality entertainment, culture, and connectivity to our diverse audience, being associated with Diwali at Times Square aligns perfectly with our core values. This event is a true celebration of the rich traditions and heritage of India, and we are proud to lend our support to such an extraordinary platform,” said IndiaCast Media executive vice-president & head of international business Govind Shahi.
“We are delighted to be associated with the magnificent Diwali at Times Square event along with Gopi Dairy. It is a great honor for Colors TV to be a part of this grand celebration, as it provides us with a unique opportunity to connect with audiences every year and spread the spirit of Diwali,’ added IndiaCast Media senior vice president and business head Americas Sameer Targe.
“Our collaboration with Diwali at Times Square has successfully spanned for the past three years! This year is exceptionally exciting as our client Gopi Dairy, the title sponsor, increases their focus on the East Coast with our 360 media solution that combines ‘ground’, ‘on air’ and ‘digital elements’, all centered around Diwali. We have elevated our partnership with a multi-level sales and marketing initiative responding to the growing demand for integrated media solutions. Our partnership promises to redefine the media engagement and captivate our audience,” said IndiaCast head of sales & marketing Americas Shalaj Dang.
“Gopi Dairy is proud to sponsor ‘Gopi Dairy Diwali at Times Square 2023’, a festival rooted in peace, new beginnings, and the human values of gratitude and humility. At Gopi, we’re honored to have been part of your daily lives for over a decade, delivering pure dairy products from our family to yours. This is an historic moment for us all to celebrate the universal festival of light and joy!” added Karoun Dairies CEO Rostom Baghdassarian.
“The annual Diwali festival in Times Square plays a pivotal role in the western hemisphere as the festival’s significance and fostering a peaceful and harmonious world. During Diwali, people decorate their homes and share sweets and gifts with their friends and loved ones. Our title sponsor, Gopi Dairy, aligns perfectly with the tradition of spreading sweetness and joy,” stated Diwali at Times Square founder Neeta Bhasin.
The event was livestreamed on 28 October and is to now to be telecast on Aapka Colors on 26 November at 1 pm Eastern time and 10 am Pacific Times.
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.
