GECs
Comedy power to buttress Zee’s 8 pm
MUMBAI: Zee seems all set to tickle that funny bone. The next big launch to buttress the line-up is Sanjay Chhel Telefilms Pvt Ltd’s Hum Sab Baraati, which will launch on 4 April 2004.
Zee’s latest sitcom, airing Sunday-Wednesday at 8 pm, is a light and frothy sitcom with ‘a touch of a soap opera’ revolving around a family of wedding planners.
A quirky look at marriages in India- complete with the sangeet- mehndi- shaadi- bidaai (wedding specials-wedding-farewell) routines, never-ending dahej (dowry) problems- Sanjay Chhel’s maiden television venture has its heart in right place.
Launched at a media meet in Juhu Hotel organised by the production house, the event started unsually late, but the opulence had to be seen. The host Chhel had hired a music band, palmists, mehendiwalli, flower sellers, all that and more in addition to the overflowing bar.
Speaking about the venture Chhel said, “Every story will be split into either two or four episodes. It’s a feel good comedy with integrally woven songs and dances.” In addition to the dialogues, Chhel has also penned songs for the show.
What did strike the eye at the event was actor Delnaz Paul’s optimism. She said that Hum Sab Baraati Hai would be as big as her last release, Karan Johar’s blockbuster Kal Ho Na Ho!
Starring Dinyar Contractor, Tiku Talsania, Bhavna Balsaver, Dilip Joshi, Sulbha Arya and Raju Kher, besides Paul, in main roles, the show has been commissioned by Zee for a year.
In a release issued by Zee, Zee Telefilms president Sunil Khanna was quoted saying, “Hum Sab Baraati has all the ingredients of being a successful comedy show. Keeping in mind the multi-combination of the audiences we cater to, we plan to very carefully built and expertise on multi-genre programming. Hum Sab Baraati is filled with spicy characters, which are interconnected with each other, and they create lot of possibilities for a hilarious comedy to tickles the ribs to no end. Join us with the Baraati parivar and keep smiling always.
However, quite a few goof-up were noticed in the dialogues. Something that is definitely not expected from veteran television script-writer Chhel.
According to Chhel, the road to its telecast has been easy. “I spoke to other channels as well about this show, but somehow thought that Zee TV was the least interfering of all.”
Present at the meet was also BAG Films films division head Mejoo Khan and actor Rajiv Paul escorting his wife Delnaz. In addition to Hum Sab Baarati, Zee will also be premiering next edition of 64 Panne on the same day at 8:00 pmLavanya , starring Shilpa Saklani, Rohit Bakshi and Gaurav Chopra is journey of a young adolescent girl to a matured woman completely in control of a situation.
Speaking about Lavanya Khanna said, “Lavanya is another feather to our popular slot, 64 Panne, the prime time band which has offered captivating heart tugging stories like Dil NA Jaane Kyun, Mansha and Aandhi, which has captured tremendous response from viewers. Lavanya portrays a riveting saga of the protagonist caught between a non-committed love and fulfilling the wishes of her parents. Lavanya also exhibits the thinking of an independent woman from the new generation who is looking forward to her Mr. Right, who will get into terms with the new paradigm.”
The show is jointly produced by Rajiv Mehta’s Dream Team Software and Moving Pictures Company.
Lets see if April launches bring any luck to Zee’s flagship Hindi entertainment channel.
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.
