GECs
Mukta sets up lifestyle channel in Dubai
MUMBAI: Subhas Ghai-promoted Mukta Arts has completed its turnkey project for Dubai-based city-centric fashion and lifestyle content channel INTV.
The company holds 10-15 per cent equity in Arab Venture Corporation, the holding company of INTV. “We have set up the channel operations right from scratch, including preparing the project report. We were given 10-15 per cent equity worth $300,000,” says Mukta Arts chief executive officer Ravi Gupta.
Mukta Arts is planning to release Iqbal, directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, in August. Two other movies are slated for production this year, says Gupta. “We are starting production of 36 China Town, a thriller directed by Abbas Mastan. The other movie is being directed by Satish Kaushik. The budgets of the two movies are medium-sized,” he states.
Whistling Woods International, a film, television and media arts institute, will be completed this year. “We expect the first session to start in January 2006,” says Gupta.
On the digital delivery of movies joint venture project with Adlabs, Gupta says the plan is to expand the theatres to 150 by the end of this fiscal. Currently, the service is extended to around 100 theatres across the country, he adds.
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.
