GECs
Filmy inks 3-year movie deal with Buena Vista
MUMBAI: Sahara One Media and Entertainment’s movie channel Filmy has signed a three year agreement with Buena Vista International Television-Asia Pacific (BVITV-AP), the international television distribution arm of The Walt Disney Company, to showcase 20 titles on the channel’s Hollywood movie block Firangi Filmy.
As reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, Sahara was in talks with several international studios for acquiring titles. The channel continues to be scouting for other international studios including Sony Pictures, as well as other independent producers in the US to build a bank of offerings.
The acquired titles will be dubbed in Hindi and aired during the Friday 8 pm slot on Firangi Filmy. The movies acquired by the channel as part of this deal include Signs, Shanghai Knights, Star Ship Troopers, The Three Musketeers and Metro. Besides action and thrillers, Filmy has also added children’s movies to its kitty.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Filmy business head Ashutosh said, “Besides the big movies, we have also selected movies that have not had a theatrical release or been viewed on television in India. The newness of the channel will thrust us towards buying more titles and therefore we will continue to acquire.
“It is Filmy’s privilege to work with Buena Vista International Television. We plan to showcase the best of Hollywood for our masses in their own language. We have received unparalleled support from BVITV, and look forward to building our relationship with them even further.”
The deal also coincides with The Walt Disney Company’s focus to expand its presence in India, a key strategic market for the company.
“We are delighted to be the first US studio to be licensing Hollywood movies to Filmy,” commented BVITV-AP’s senior vice president and managing director Steve Macallister. “India is a key strategic market for our company and we are looking forward to working closely with Filmy to provide top quality content that will enthral their viewers.”
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.
