GECs
Kannada filmdom to witness producers’ ‘action’
BANGALORE: The Kannada film producers and their supporters will meet in Hubli on Saturday, 18 September to force theatre owners to release a Kannada film.
The film in question, Upendra-starrer Omkara, is scheduled for release on 18 September. The release of the movie coincides with the star’s birthday and the opening day of the Ganesha festival.
The producers along with a lot of support from the actor’s fraternity reportedly including the doyen of the Kannada film industry – Rajkumar will stage a protest march in Hubli starting from Kittur Rani Channama Circle to Lakshmi Shetty Theater.
The meeting is to ensure that Omkara is released in North Karnataka districts. The producers have reportedly placed ads for release of Omkara in six theaters in North Karnataka, one each in Hubli, Dharwad, Belgaum, Bellary, Gadag and Bagalkot.
In response to the Kannada Film Exhibitors Federation’s (KEFF) request for police protection, the director general of police has reportedly assured the organisation that nobody could force them to release the film and that they would prevent the film fraternity and the crowd from gate-crashing.
KFPA president Basant Kumar Patil is quoted in media reports as saying, “How can they (theatres) not release the movie when the rest of the state is. We will ensure that it is released.”
Meanwhile, actor politician Ambarish who was brought in to mediate and sort the issue is meeting all the three directly effected parties – KFPA, exhibitors and distributors on 17 September.
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.
