GECs
Kannada filmdom: Uncertainty persists
BANGALORE: The Joint Action Committee of Indian film industry (JAC) along with Film Federation of India (FFI) and the Andhra Pradesh Film Chambers of Commerce (APFCC) meeting with Karnataka deputy CM Siddharamiah and the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce (KFCC) to sort out the issues related to Kannada filmdom has been postponed to a later date.
Meanwhile the APFCC has denied reports appeared in some sections of the media that FFI had dropped the proposed sanctions against the Kannada film Industry keeping in mind that the moratorium on non-Kannada films had been reduced to three weeks instead of the earlier seven weeks moratorium.
APFCC has threatened to go to the Supreme Court (SC) to resolve the issue, saying that every non-Kannada film producer will follow Gemini’s route to get their films released simultaneously across India, including Karnataka, if the need arose. Gemini’s Shankardada MBBS (Telugu) has been released across Karnataka after intervention from the SC on the basis of a writ petition filed by Gemini.
Normally Diwali is the boom time for theaters, and a number of non-Kannada films are slated for a 12 November release. Non-Kannada film producers would like to ensure that the moratorium issue is sorted out by then so that films are released simultaneously in Karnataka.
“Actually the Indian film industry wants the CM or the deputy CM to intervene and end the moratorium issue once and for all, but, it was Siddharamiah himself who had backed the Kannada film producers when they had a massive rally in September. This moratorium has no legal sanction. How will the Karnataka government extricate itself from this mess is to bee seen,” said a theater owner to indiantelevison.com, “Dhoom has been a hit. I would have made at least Rs. One lakh (Rs.100,000/-) a day if the movie had been released here at the same as elsewhere in India,” he added.
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.
