GECs
IMG meets deputy PM Advani, I&B minister Prasad
NEW DELHI: The Indian Media Group (IMG), a newly-formed body of domestic media companies with the exception of few like Hindustan Times, today met senior ministers in the government to reiterate the demand for level playing field in area of tax structure too.
According to government sources, the IMG first met information and broadcasting (I&B) minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and then later were scheduled to meet deputy prime minister LK Advani.
“Basically, we met the I&B minister to thank him for having heeded to our demands on level playing field (vis-?-vis foreign owned media companies) and also reiterate the requests on equality on the tax structure like withholding taxes,” a member of IMG said after coming out of a meeting with Prasad.
IMG was formed some time back to put pressure on the government on the issue of Star News. One of the demands of the group had been that laws like uplinking norms should be made more stringent and the government should execute its compliance in letter and spirit. This demand had been made in the wake of Star News controversy when many in the IMG had alleged that Star was making “a monkey” of India laws.
Those who came to meet Prasad and later were slated to meet up with Advani included Times of India’s Vineet Jain and Vijay Jindal; the India Today Group’s Aroon Purie and Prabhu Chawla; and Zee Telefilms CMD Subhash Chandra.
When Chandra was asked about the agenda of the meetings, he simply said IMG had come to “thank” the I&B minister for having favourably listened to their demand of a playing field. On being asked to elaborate, he said IMG spokesperson Purie would speak, who evaded all questions from the media.
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.
