GECs
KBC Internet sites rise again while Star TV watches helplessly
Star TV made a lot of hulabaloo about how the network would crack down on any one trying to corner the limelight by riding on the shirt tails of the successful Kaun Banega Crorepati. Well, it seems to be doing little. Several companies are ripping off on the concept of crorepati – so much so that it has become part of the Indian lingo.
But worse is the fact that Star has done nothing about Internet sites which have cropped up. Two have been sending mails to VSNL subscribers asking them to win crores. These are http://www.crorepatibaniye.com, and http://www.croreMaster.com, a site which had come up about a fortnight ago but shut down soon thereafter when it could not cope with the web traffic.
http://www.croremaster.com was uncannily tuned into the show in its run in its look and feel. One has not been able to log into see it in its second run.
Wonder whether the folks at Star will put their money where their mouth is and crack down on these renegade sites. Or will they follow the dictum: it’s a free world after all, let everyone have his piece of the crorepati action. .
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.
