GECs
Colors revisits history with ‘Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat’
MUMBAI: Colors today announced the advent of a new journey by taking viewers one step closer to Indian history with Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat.
Written by author Ashok Banker, who is making his comeback to television after nearly two decades, Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat is the first time that the king’s story will be narrated on television. The show is being produced by Contiloe Entertainment.
Commenting on the show, Colors CEO Raj Nayak said, “Nothing gives us more joy than recreating history by narrating the story of one of the greatest rulers of India. We are currently in the initial stages of production where the lion just can’t wait to roar.”
“All the splendor and majesty of this great emperor will come alive on this extraordinary series as we promise to take our viewers through important chapters in Indian history. Further, the show’s concept and universal appeal is bound to entice our marketers and advertisers while creating multiple avenues to enable us to reach out to our collective target audiences,” he added.
The historical retelling of this tale on Colors will showcase the journey and lifetime of emperor Ashoka, from his rise to power to his state of penance after the gory blood-bath in the battle of Kalinga that made him give up war to embrace Buddhism.
Commenting on the show, Banker said, “It’s been a long and tedious process of carefully joining the dots and putting together a regal story for the viewers. While the epic story of Ashoka, the great Mauryan emperor, is waiting to be told, we hope to recreate history on Indian television with our significant efforts of retelling this great tale of Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat that changed the face of India’s cultural heritage.”
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.
