GECs
‘Pavitra Rishta’ to be replaced by Ekta Kapoor’s ‘Kumkum Bhagya’
MUMBAI: Two decades ago, Ekta Kapoor started her association with Zee TV with the popular sitcom – Hum Paanch.
And since then there is no looking back. The queen of television especially the primetime slot is back with a new show on the channel. The new offering will be replacing her own successful and popular show ‘Pavitra Rishta’.
The show ‘Kumkum Bhagya’ will once again see Kapoor’s blue-eyed boy Shabbir Ahluwalia who has shied away from facing the camera since 2012, essaying a role of Rockstar with a cult following on the show. The lead actress of the show is played by Sriti Jha who will play the elder amongst the two sisters on the show loosely based on Jane Austen’s classic ‘Sense and Sensibility’.
The Indian interpretation follows the life of a mother who runs a marriage hall and lives with the hope of seeing her two daughters – poles apart in bearing, outlook and disposition, happily married some day. Known for making shows that are women-centric, the pivotal characters of the show are a bunch of strong, feisty women, living together in an all-female, matriarchal family.
On her new show, Kapoor said, “All I can say is that it’s a very passionate story of love …!”
But does this spell ‘The End’ for the former show? Not really, ‘Pavitra Rishta’ will now be aired Monday to Friday at 6:30 pm on the channel.
Talking about the time shuffle amongst her projects, Kapoor said, “Pavitra Rishta has been on-air for over four years now and the journey has been most gratifying for me as a maker. After ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhie Bahu thi’ if there is any other show which is close to my heart, then it is ‘Pavitra Rishta’. The characters of Manav, Archana, Arjun, Purvi and now Ankita-Naren have endeared themselves to the audience, so much so that they are an inseparable part of their lives. While the audiences who are hooked on to ‘Pavitra Rishta’ will continue to enjoy the show at 6:30 pm, the new show ‘Kumkum Bhagya’ will open at 9 pm, drawing maximum eyeballs.”
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.
