GECs
NGC’s ‘Mission Udaan’ gets airborne with 60,000 entries
MUMBAI: With over 60,000 entries received for National Geographic Channel’s (NGC) latest localisation initiative Mission Udaan: Inside the Indian Air Force, the selection process took off in full throttle, yesterday. NGC claims to have received 60,000 entries across the country.
At the Western Naval Command Ground in Mumbai, 2000 short listed candidates were invited to try out on whether they had the mettle to be one of five individuals who will fly with the elitist of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The prize will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to fly at supersonic speeds in a fighter jet and experience life of an air force pilot for an entire month.
As had been reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com Mission Udaan is the third Mission property following Mission Everest in 2003 and Mission Mars last year. It allows not only the viewer but also the advertiser to get more closely involved with the brand.
Dwelling on the initiative NGC senior VP content and communication Dilshad Master said, “Based on the tremendous response we received with regard to the call for entries, this biggest yet wholly India based programming initiative has set off on the right foot. For the first time ever Indian audiences will get a unique glimpse into the life and science behind military aviation of the fourth largest Air Force in the world. Mission Udaan is an ongoing effort in broad basing the channel’s appeal and ability to produce programmes that are locally relevant, more topical and more relatable.”
The selection process covers three cities (Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore) and targets youthful candidates between 18-30 years. NGC states that with so many entries received it was a challenge to select the final 2000 participants per city, who have been invited to try out on basis of their Body Mass Index (BMI). Of the 2000 a further 500 have been short-listed and the first 300 to register at the venue would be given an opportunity to fulfill their dream of flying in a super sonic fighter aircraft.
In the first round candidates have to prove their physical mettle by doing monkey crawls, to running backwards, hopping and a 50-meter sprint. The list of candidates will further be downsized to 90.
The qualified participants go into the second round. Here they will face problem solving puzzles and strategy in groups of nine. From here only 30 will qualify for the third round That will be an exam testing the mental abilities of the candidates of which only 15 will remain.
The final 15 will face a judge’s panel for a final interview in the crucial fourth round. That round will determine the 10 candidates from each city. The fifth and final round takes place in Bangalore where there will be medical tests and IAF training. The final five to experience the life of a pilot in the IAF will be chosen.
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.
