GECs
HooHaa! Amitabh Bachchan all set for ‘AKRHZ’ launch on Star Plus
MUMBAI: Hoooo Haaaa! The excitement is almost palpable amongst one and all as the ever energetic grand old man of the Indian film industry – Amitabh Bachchan’s baritone voice and affable presence is set to yet again fill up television screens across the country this weekend.
This time round, Bachchan will be seen hosting Star Plus’ new show Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi, which will launch at 8 pm on 18 October.
The show, which aims to celebrate people across India making a difference in their communities, will see three personalities from the film industry as the first guests. Actors Alia Bhatt, Shilpa Shetty Kundra as well as singer Arijit Singh will be Bachchan’s first guests on the show. Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi is being directed by Ken Ghosh. Actor and host Hussain Kuwajerwala will be the show’s co-host alongside Bachchan.
After his stint on television started with Kaun Banega Croreapati (KBC) on Star Plus back in 2000, Bachchan has been hosting the same show on Sony Entertainment Television thereafter. Apart from the non-fiction show, his tryst with the television medium also saw him acting in the fiction series titled Yudh last year on Sony. While the audience has lapped up his avatar as anchor and host season after season ofKBC, his fiction fare didn’t find much favour from them.
Now as Bachchan is back in his real avatar as the friendly and charming host on television yet again, albeit on a different kind of non-fiction format show, it remains to be seen how Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi is received by the audience. That said, seeing the spring in his step and the zeal in his voice, Bachchan’s enthusiasm is almost contagious
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.
