GECs
Colors to awaken rural masses with ‘Udann’
NEW DELHI: The channel, which launched with path breaking shows like Balika Vadhu and Uttaran, is once again treading into the social issues gripping our nation.
The new series, Udann, inspired by renowned filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, will commence on Colors from 18 August.
Bhatt was originally intending to make it into a film, which he had thought of 25 years ago, since the film industry then only wanted entertaining fare in the liberalised economy of the early nineties.
He believes that while the Indian woman can call herself emancipated in many ways, she still cannot walk shoulder to shoulder with men. And bonded labor and exploitation of women continue to remain a curse, which is a matter of shame for India.
The new series is produced by Gurudev Bhalla, once an assistant of Bhatt and Dhaval Jayantilal Gada while Robin Bhatt and Javed Siddiqui have scripted the show.
Bhalla says he had sought Bhatt’s permission to make the series after he was approached by Colors to collaborate on TV, with suitable changes that will suit the medium.
Moreover, Gada and Bhalla express that a lot of research has gone into ensuring that the story is told in the right spirit. They also worked closely with NGOs fighting against bonded labor to ensure realistic representation.
Colors CEO Raj Nayak says that the channel was not put off by the fact that the series was launching at the same time as Amitabh Bachchan’s Kaun Banega Crorepati season eight on Sony and Nisha Aur Uske Cousins on Star Plus. The time slot (8.30 pm) had been picked as Madhubala has ended and the other series are running well in their respective slots.
In fact the launch of the series had been planned much earlier to be around Independence Day since that was the theme of the series – freedom – but it could only be launched on a Monday.
According to Colors weekday programming head Prashant Bhatt social issues like bonded labor is widely prevalent even in 21st century urbanised India and needs to be brought to fore and fought against. Udann narrates a tale about the life of Chakor who has a strong survival instinct which keeps her sailing through the toughest situations. Her rebellious yet endearing nature proves that simplicity and innocence together will make for an attractive viewing proposition for audiences. In Chakor’s story that represents the unrealised hopes of countless Indians, suppressed by this barbaric practice of bonded-labor, viewers are sure to find an inspiring story of hope and resilience.”
Furthermore, Nayak says Colors accepted the idea of the serial as its ‘DNA is social themes’. Sources peg per episode production cost at around Rs 8 lakh to Rs 12 lakh.
Since the issue of bonded labour is linked to rural areas, the channel will promote and even hold press meets in Taluka headquarters, apart from using all media like radio, hoardings, TV and social media to promote the series.
The series stars young Spandan Chaturvedi in the main role of the child Chakor, Sai Ballal, and Sai Deodhar-Arvind.
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.
