GECs
Covid sweeps TV Land: Rupali Ganguly, other actors test positive
MUMBAI: The second wave of the Covid2019 pandemic has hit India hard. The country is struggling in its attempt to curb the spread of the deadly virus, and despite vaccine roll-out, cases are on the rise with every passing day. Today, India became the second nation, after the US, to report one lakh new cases in a day.
This turn of events has precipitated a crisis in the television industry, with more and more actors testing positive every day. The lead actor of Apna Time Bhi Aayega, Megha Ray, is the latest TV celeb to test positive for the novel Coronavirus.
Balaji Telefilms’ producer Ekta Kapoor recently updated fans about Yeh Hai Chahatein actor Abrar Qazi.
“Actor Abrar Qazi who is an integral part of the TV show Yeh Hai Chahatein has tested positive for Covid2019. As soon as the symptoms were detected, he received medical help and quarantined himself. Immediately thereupon the entire cast and crew were isolated and tested. The BMC is informed and the sets will be fumigated and sterilised as per the protocol. Currently, the artist is receiving medical attention and under home quarantine. We are constantly in touch with the entire team as their health is our priority. We stand by our commitment to safety and will continue to ensure that all measures prescribed by the authorities are being adhered to,” the producer shared.
Actor Narayani Shashtri, who is currently seen on Aapki Nazron Ne Samjha, is also one of the actors who has come down with the virus.
Full House Media producer Sonali Jaffar informed that the entire cast and crew were immediately isolated and tested. The BMC was notified and the sets were to be fumigated and sterilised as per the protocol.
Several TV actors who also recently tested Covid2019 positive include Aditya Narayan and Shweta Agarwal, Mishkat Verma, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai's Kanchi Singh, Ankit Siwach, Namak Issk Ka actress Monalisa, Anupamaa actors Rupali Ganguly, Sudhanshu Pandey and Aashish Mehrotra, and Aap Ke Aa Jane Se actor Karan Jotwani. Other names include Molkki actors Toral Rasputra, Amar Upadhyay and Priyal Mahajan, Nikki Tamboli, Neil Bhatt, Manit Joura, Ariah Agarwal and Daljiet Kaur. TV producer Rajan Shahi also contracted the novel coronavirus.
This, when TV land was trying to get back on its feet after braving a challenging 2020 marked by production in limbo, viewer migration and scarce ad revenues. But in the face of these troubled times, the industry is determined to weather the situation together and survive.
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.
