GECs
MGM to celebrate Pink Panther’s 40th birthday globally
MUMBAI: Pink Panther, that mischievous animated icon turns 40 on 11 April. MGM has announced that it will be honouring the cool cat with a series of celebrations around the world. In India, MGM has a 50:50 JV with Zee for the channel Zee MGM.
The celebrations will range from a US postage stamp to a Pink Panther retail store in China. On the programming front, MGM will start a special Pink Panther A-Thon from 11 April. Over 100 countries will witness a programming marathon of Pink Panther material, and many will take part in different types of promotions and contests.
MGM will also come out with a special edition DVD gift set. This will consist of the Pink Panther films which starred Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau. For the US, the set will include digitally re-mastered versions of five Pink Panther movies and a bonus disc of special features including six original animated short films and commentary by the director.
Originally created in 1964 by animators Friz Freleng and David DePatie for the opening credits of the classic film comedy The Pink Panther the cool cat has gone from strength to strength. He has appeared in the Pink Panther live action movies and cartoon shorts as well as several successful television series which are still airing in worldwide syndication.
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.
