GECs
Ketaki Dave joins Hum Saath Aath Hain cast
Hum Saath Aath Hain, the daily comedy on Star Plus, gets an addition to the cast in the form of Ketaki Dave.
The vivacious and talented actress, who regaled audiences as Daksha in Kyunkii Saas bhi kabhi bahu thi, returns to the channel as Kokila Marfatia, the better half of Bharatbhai, the new neighbours of the Kapoor family that ruled Hum Saath Aath Hain thus far. The Marfatia family takes its bow on 1 April, and adds to the confusion and hilarity that marks the daily comedy at 7:30 pm.
Ketaki plays a spendthrift housewife, as against her miserly husband, who is as tight fisted as they come. Ketaki a.k.a Kokilaben is a complete Hindi film buff – she sleeps, eats, breathes films and imagines that she is part of a film, and is convinced that she would have made it as an actress, if she had not got married.
Both families that will now make up the cast of Hum Saath Aath Hain are extremely deep set in their ways, one Punjabi, the other Gujarati. A majority of the hilarious scenes are the rifts between the two older daughters-in-law, Vimla and Kokila.
Hum Saath Aath Hain is directed by Shrey Guleri for Nirja Guleri’s Prime Channel, makers of Tu Tu Main Main and Chandrakanta.
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.
