GECs
Gul Panag opens Bollywood innings with ‘Dhoop’
MUMBAI: Gul Panag, the former Femina Miss India Universe recently seen in Star Plus’ Kashmeer, has commenced her Bollywood innings with an Om Puri starrer called Dhoop. Dhoop is supposed to be a post-Kargil drama – the true-life story of the parents of a young captain who lays down his life for his country.
Panag’s co-stars include bigwigs Om Puri, south-based star Revathy and the handsome Sanjay Suri of Filhaal fame. To be released in July 2003,Dhoop is being directed by Ashwini Chaudhary who has worked with Prakash Jha.
When queried about her TV stint, Panag informs indiantelevision.com: “Kashmeer cannot be branded as a TV serial. It is a 26-episode series with the look and scale of a feature film. The overall treatment and impact is unlike anything else seen on TV. However, I must say that the phenomenal response which I got from acting in Kashmeer must be four times that of what I got after bagging the Femina title.”
Panag bagged the film Dhoop when art director Chokas Bharadwaj (who is also doing Kashmeer) and producer Saket Bahal referred her name to director Chaudhary.
It is suprising to note that Panag is not making her debut in an out-and-out commercial film with lots of romance. ‘Well, I have had my share of glamour due to the Femina title and my modelling stint. I wish to concentrate on quality performances. Working with seasoned actors such as Farooque Shaikh and Suresh Oberoi in Kashmeer has given me a different perspective. There is always this urge to try one’s best in their presence,” says Panag.
The shooting for Dhoop commences on 19 February 2003. Well, Panag had better remember the above-mentioned words as she will be rubbing shoulders with two accomplished players – Om Puri and Revathy – who have won National awards.
Dhoop is inspired by a real life story of professor of Economics from Delhi University. It is not a typical war-film but narrates the story of the trials of a martyr’s father who fights the system. Along with his grieving wife, the main protagonist wages a battle against callous bureaucrats and government officials. Om Puri, Revathy play the main characters with Panag and Suri as the young couple.
Revathy, the south Indian star, has chosen a Hindi film after a long time. Currently, she has another Tamil film on the floors and is pretty selective about scripts.
The name of the film, Dhoop, signifies the aftermath of war once the guns have been silenced. It studies the impact of war on human beings who live and constantly struggle against the inflexible system.
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.
