GECs
Discoverys new intl co-production to examines life and death situations
MUMBAI: Discovery Networks in association with Channel 4 and Granada International will co-produce a series that looks at humans dealing with life and death situations.
For this purpose UK production company Darlow Smithson Productions (DSP) has been roped in for the 10 part series titled Alive.
The show uses first person testimony and high-end dramatic reconstruction to tell stories such as that of a father who must decide whether to leave his 9-year-old son alone in a cave to go to find help after they have spent days stranded in a frozen wilderness.
Other cases include a landmine clearance expert captured by the Khmer Rouge who sees an opportunity to escape but knows that he would be leaving his two Cambodian colleagues to a certain death. Granada International has the worldwide rights outside the UK and US. Rcently DSP appointment of Richard Sattin as its head of documentaries.
Sattin has produced over 150 hours of international co-productions across USA Europe and Asia. Sattin will be responsible for developing new programme ideas and overseeing documentary production. Richard’s existing projects and development slate will be folded into DSP.
Sattin says, I have been approached before by other companies and investors but Darlow Smithson is where it instinctively felt right. They are a really progressive company but with a strong tradition of high quality programming and I’m thrilled to get the chance to help enhance their reputation by concentrating on what I feel I do best generating and producing films that make a difference.
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.
