GECs
Discovery remembers the events of 9/11 with special
MUMBAI: As the fourth anniversary of 9/11 draws near Discovery has announced that it will air a two-hour special programme The Flight That Fought Back.
The special will chronicle the heroism of the 33 passengers and seven crew members on United Airlines Flight 93, which was hijacked, re-routed toward Washington, D.C., and crashed in Pennsylvania.
The special airs on 11 September at 8 pm. The special is a minute-by-minute retelling of the plane’s final moments as those on board fought to regain control of the aircraft. This dramatic documentary was developed with unprecedented cooperation from United Airlines and access to the families and friends of those on board.
The special is based on research, comprehensive evidence including the 9/11 Commission Report and actual voice recordings left by passengers and crew. Discovery states that the special uses the best possible evidence available to recreate the struggle inside Flight 93, including extensive interviews with family and friends and their very personal conjectures on how their loved ones would have reacted to the situation. The film enables viewers to better understand the events of that fateful morning and provides a deeper appreciation of the remarkable men and women aboard the plane.
Discovery Networks India brand director Raja Balasubramaniam says, “The special uses the research available to chronicle how 40 strangers determined the terrorists’ scheme and devised an action plan to counter their deadly plot – in just 30 minutes. The majority of this documentary’s content is based on personal stories from family members and direct witnesses, with dramatic reconstructions of the moments leading up to the crash”.
Discovery commissioned the London-based production company Brook Lapping Productions (BLP) to research and present the story.
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.
