GECs
Ekta & Smriti Irani to co-produce Star Plus soap ‘Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasmaan’
MUMBAI: Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms and Smriti Irani will co-produce Star Plus’ new weekend prime time venture Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasmaan. The soap launches on 19 August Saturday at 10:30 pm.
States Irani on her second most significant outing on tube after Kyunki Saas…, “Apart from co-producing the show with the production house that gave me India’s most celebrated show, I am extremely honoured that Star Plus has given me the opportunity to graduate from an actor to a producer.”
Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasmaan, is a story of Uma didi, a 27-year old obedient daughter of a mill worker, who undertakes several jobs to run the family ever since the mill has shut. Set in the heart of Mumbai in a middle class “chawl”, it is mostly occupied by the mill workers, who are out of job; a story full of hardships and tribulations of a common man’s everyday life. Where Uma will hold the centre stage, as she will be looked up as a source of constant inspiration and driving force for the chawl people, who draw their strength and reason to live from her indomitable spirit!
The story and screenplay of the show is done by the acclaimed Bollywood writer Kamlesh Pandey, who was behind blockbuster movies such as Rang De Basanti and Tezaab. The soap is directed by Santram Verma.
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.
