GECs
Dangal TV scripts YouTube history with 50 million fans and global No 1 rank
MUMBAI: From silver screen to streaming supremacy, Dangal TV has pulled off a blockbuster twist in its digital journey. The channel’s YouTube arm has clinched the No 1 spot globally on the Tubular Leaderboard in both the overall creators and media & entertainment (film & movies) categories for June and July 2025.
That’s not all, Dangal TV’s subscriber base has now smashed through the 50 million mark, placing it proudly among the Top 100 global Youtube channels. In the process, it has leapfrogged some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Spidey, Zee TV, Sony Sab, YRF, and Set India.
The milestone crowns a journey that began in 2017, when Dangal TV first tested the waters on YouTube with modest ambitions. Competing in a crowded field of global giants, the channel carved its niche by staying true to its ethos telling authentic stories from India’s heartland while adapting to the habits of digital-first audiences.
Dangal TV managing director Manish Singhal called the achievement a proud chapter in the network’s digital playbook: “This No 1 ranking across global leaderboards highlights the trust our audiences place in us and strengthens our vision of bringing India’s heartland stories to a global stage.”
Chartbeat and Tubular director of content marketing Candice Gaudinier hailed the feat as a case study in global resonance: “Dangal TV’s No 1 ranking in both India and globally within the Film and Movies genre on YouTube is remarkable. It shows how stories rooted in India can strike a chord with audiences worldwide.”
By topping charts for two straight months and building a community of 50 million subscribers, Dangal TV has proved that regional storytelling can go truly global. For a channel that started small, this is not just a digital milestone, it’s a reminder that even in the algorithm age, heartland stories still travel the farthest
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.
