GECs
Deepti Naval returns to small screen with Sahara’s ‘Mukkammal’
MUMBAI: The 80s ‘chamko’ girl Deepti Naval will make a return to small screen this week. She will be joining the celebrated cast of Sahara Manoranjan with a new show titled Mukkammal. Debuting on 5 September, this weekly is scheduled to air every Friday at 8:30 pm.
Produced by Sahara India Mass Communication Ltd (SIMCL) along with Samay Creations, Mukkammal is a woman-oriented serial. It will tell the tale of a woman’s search for the complete man.
While Ravi Pandit and Ashok Pandit are the assigned producers, Raman Kumar, of Tara fame, will be the writer of the show. Drawing inspiration from Mahabharat, the show claims to be the story of a modern day Draupadi .
The protagonist Sumeesha, played by Naval, is a woman strong in her values, yet vulnerable in her needs. The story is about how she is attracted towards different men, five to be precise, for their qualities, and of her struggle to change their views about platonic relationships. Besides Naval, the cast includes Lalit Parimo, Anup Soni, Rahul Vora, Amit Behl and Bharat Kapoor as the five men; and Achint Kaur, Kiran Juneja, Nilima Azim, Meghna Malik in pivotal roles.
The theme song of the serial is composed and sung by Tauseef Akhtar and Nirja Pandit. Mukkammal will be replacing Bhagyashree’s Kagaz Ki Kashtti, yet another women oriented show, which has apparently completed its run. Although this isn’t her television debut, since the actor has previously worked in shows like Thoda Sa Aasman (as director-cum-actress) and as a lead in the first megaserial on AIDS Tanav, the show marks her return on the tube after a long time.
Speaking about the show Sahara Manoranjan, vice president (publicity and PR) Priya Raj says, “After award-winning serials like Kadam and Draupadi, Mukkammal, is yet another meaningful serial with a woman’s theme which our discerning viewers can really look forward to.”
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.
