GECs
Kannada filmdom mess: Media persons attacked
BANGALORE: An attack on media persons covering a protest at a city multiplex unfolded one of the ugliest episodes in the Kannada filmdom ‘soap opera’. Media persons allege that the theatre’s security guards attacked them, mistaking them for members of the protest group.
Defying the seven-week moratorium, the theatre has been allegedly screening non-Kannada films and the media was covering a protest by the Kannada Rakshana Vedike activists. According to media reports, two new movies Dhoom and Bride and Prejudice were released at the multiplex in Marathahalli on Friday. The Karnataka Film Producers’ Association (KFPA) stopped the screenings of these movies on Friday. When the show began on Saturday, the Kannada Rakshana Vedike activists gathered and tried to barge into the Multiplex demanding that the screening be stopped.
Chief minister Dharam Singh has reportedly ordered a probe into the attack on media persons.
A TV crew member, who was jostled badly by the theater security guards, narrated the events to Indiantelevision.com: “We were informed that the Kannada Rakshana Vedike activists would be protesting at the theater at 11.30 am and so we reached there well before time to cover the event. Later a mob of around 30 to 40 people arrived and started stoning the theaters, breaking the glasses. We started recording the happenings, but the security guards thinking that we’d brought the attackers started beating up the media persons. The press equipments were also completely damaged.”
The KFPA and the KFCC have reportedly condemned the attack and rumors are rife that Sharad, the owner of the multiplex, may be expelled from the KFCC for not taking permission from the organisation before defying the seven-week moratorium.
According to reports, the theater owners defying the moratorium have decided to continue screening non-Kannada films and have asked for police protection.
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.
