GECs
Disney, Weinsteins may part ways
MUMBAI: A film partnership that lasted a decade and brought lots of Oscar awards may be coming to an end. Disney is said to be looking to end its current deal with Miramax Films founders Bob and Harvey Weinstein.
Disney must give the Weinsteins at least six months notice if it does not plan to renew its deal with the filmmaking brothers who are credited with revolutionizing the independent filmmaking world. Reports state that with the pact set to expire on 30 September 2005, a resolution must be reached by March at the latest.
Disney CEO Michael Eisner has categorically asserted that Miramax would remain with Disney even if the Weinsteins exited. Disney will also retain rights to the valuable Miramax library and to any films produced during the current agreement. If the Weinsteins do leave this would be the second blow for Disney following the end of the contract with animation house Pixar.
Miramax was bought by Disney in 1993 for $80 million. The Weinsteins are likely to seek financing to start a new motion picture venture. Trade publication Variety had reported that Disney was not interested in renewing the terms of the Weinstein’s existing employment agreement. .
There was friction between the Weinstein’s and Disney over Kill Bill. Eisner had felt that Miramax pushed the envelope too far with Quentin Tarantino’s epic. Worse earlier this year Disney had blocked Miramax from distributing Michael Moore’s Bush-bashing documentary Fahrenheit 9/11. As a result the Weinsteins to personally buy the film rights and seek an independent distributor. The film releases in India today 15 October.
Another report has suggested that the Weinsteins could partner with Paramount which is struggling for hits. Paramount had partnered with Miramax on The Hours which won Nicole Kidman an Oscar.
This year Miramax is pinning its Oscar hopes on Martin Scorcese’s upcoming The Aviator in which Leonardo DiCaprio plays eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes.
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.
