GECs
No conclusions on Star deal says Hindustan Times’ Bhartiya
NEW DELHI: ,-owned Hindustan Times Ltd, is keeping all its options open, including a deal with the Rupert Murdoch-controlled Star India, but said no “conclusions” have been reached yet.
“We are aware of the developments,” Hindustan Times (HT) vice chairman and Birla’s daughter Sobhana Bhartiya said when asked about the media reports on a HT-Star truck.
Asked specifically if HT and Star have been talking to each other formally on a possible joint venture for Star News channel, Bhartiya, said, “No conclusions have been reached.” She also pointed out that Star has been talking to many people regarding a joint venture. She was answering questions from journalists after a meeting with information and broadcasting (I&B) secretary Pawan Chopra this evening.
Asked whether Henderson Global Investment has picked up 20 per cent stake in HT Media, Bhartiya confirmed the development. However, she did not specify whether the investment was meant only for HT’s proposed Mumbai edition or for the whole group.
Interestingly, while Bhartiya was meeting the I&B secretary on the sixth floor of Shastri Bhawan, which houses among other ministries the I&B ministry too, arch rival Vineet Jain of Times of India was part of a media delegation that was closeted with I&B minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, on the floor below.
Bhartiya also said that the investment of Henderson was in line with the guidelines prescribed by the Indian government. She, however, did not specify whether an application to this regard has been moved with the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB).
Just for records, Australian media tycoon Kerry Packer has some investments in Henderson.
Earlier, a section of the media had speculated on the fact that Murdoch was picking up a minority stake in HT. In turn, these reports had said , 51 per cent of Star News was being offered to HT and/or Bhartiyas so that the news channel could conform to guidelines and avoid further controversies that had been hounding Star News for some time. The deal was supposed to have been struck in London.
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.
