GECs
Hrithik, Preity win honours at Max Stardust awards
MUMBAI: The Max Stardust Awards, honouring the fine talents in Bollywood, have been given away on 20 February. The awards also felicitated yesteryear superstars Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan and Vinod Khanna.
While Hrithik Roshan won the best actor award for his performance in Lakshya, Preity Zinta bagged the coveted prize for Veer-Zara. Abhishek Bachchan was honoured with ‘Star of the year’ award while the new face of the year award went to Koena Mitra for her performance in Musafir.
Rajesh Khanna was felicited with the ‘Pride of film industry award’ while actor Vinod Khanna was honoured as the ‘Role model for the year’.Amitabh Bachchan, with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali won a special award for their film Black.
Kunal Kohli bagged the ‘Hottest young film-maker award’ for Hum Tum and Ashutosh Gowarikar bagged the ‘Dream director award’ for his latest release Swades. The ‘Hottest film award’ went to Phir Milenge for its off-beat theme
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.
