GECs
Max’s Chakraverty joins Sahara One Motion Pictures as acquisitions head
MUMBAI: Panchali Chakraverty, who was earlier with SET India’s movies and events channel Max handling movie acquisitions, has joined Sahara One Motion Pictures as head of acquisitions and syndication.
Chakraverty will be reporting to Sahara One Motion Pictures COO Sandeep Bharghava and is slated to start work from 15 July.
When contacted, Bharghava confirmed the development to Indiantelevision.com.
Chakraverty will be involved in syndication of rights nationally as well as internationally for movies and acquisition of content for various processes including theatrical releases and broadcasting. Essentially, a 360 degree acquisition for motion pictures properties.
At Max, Chakraverty specialised in library films and was also involved in setting up the processes, systems and library management.
Chakraverty was with SET India for two years, and prior to that with Zee handling acquisitions and theatrical distribution. She has a total of nine years experience in the media.
Sahara One recently completed the restructuring of its media and entertainment business with the appointment of CEO Shantonu Aditya. Aditya was previously president of distribution alliance SET Discovery. The restructuring is part of Sahara’s move to position itself as an integrated media and entertainment company.
Sahara One Motion Pictures, is a part of the conglomerate Sahara India Pariwar, which had rebranded its media and entertainment business as Sahara One last October with a new channel ID and promotions.
The Sahara team now comprises Purnendu Bose, recently appointed COO, Sahara One television channel; Sandeep Bhargava, COO, Sahara One Motion Pictures; Avijit Mita, head programming, non-fiction and on-air programmes, Sahara One entertainment channel; Kumud Choudhary, head programming – fiction, Sahara One entertainment channel; Mukul Mishra, head on-air programmes, Sahara One Filmy channel; and Soumen Ghosh Choudhary, head – broadcast operations and engineering, Sahara One entertainment channel.
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.
