GECs
Delhi HC allows ‘Time Bomb’ telecast; hearings to continue
MUMBAI:The Delhi High Court has declined to grant an injunction against the scheduled launch tonight of Zee TV’s big budget primetime weekly Time Bomb.
The court was hearing the case today on a suite filed by Twentieth Century Fox last Friday that the Zee TV thriller has copied the concept of its ongoing TV serial 24. After more than two hours of hearing today, justice Anil Kumar adjourned the matter for Wednesday to hear the version of Zee Telefilms.
“Fox’s request to grant an injunction has been dismissed. The serial will launch tonight as planned,” Essel Group VP corporate communications and brand development group Ashish Kaul told indiantelevision.com.
Senior advocate Arun Jaitley fought for Zee while Amarjit Singh Chandioke and C M Lall appeared for the US producer.
Fox lawyers displayed the CD of the serial and explained the unique way in which 24 was made and contended that the act of ZTL amounted to infringement of copyright.
Jaitley argued that nobody could monopolise on the concept of terrorism and claimed that Time Bomb was the extended version of another Zee serial Pradhan Mantri.
When contacted, Time Bomb’s writer-producer-director Ketan Mehta said, “After hearing both the parties’ arguments, the court passed a judgment in favour of Zee TV permitting it to launch the show. The final verdict is not yet out. The hearing will continue.”
On 17 June, Twentieth Century Fox moved the Delhi High Court requesting the court to take action against Zee Telefilms Limited on copyright infringement. Refusing to stay the telecast of the serial, the court asked ZTL to file its reply and affidavit on or before 20 June, Monday and place before it the CD/VCD of the first episode of the scheduled programme.
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.
