GECs
Pentamedia reports 55% jump in net profit, planning six animation movies
Pentamedia Graphics has reported a 55 per cent jump in its net profit at Rs 1535.5 million on a turnover Rs 5523.8 million for the financial year ended 31 March 2001. It has also declared a dividend of Rs 3 per share.
Regarding the vexed issue of its bid to take over the US-based Film Roman, which has run into difficulties, Pentamedia has declared that the issue has been left to chairman V Chandrasekaran to deal with. Chandrasekaran will be leaving on Monday to the USA to negotiate with Film Roman management.
In its annual report released on Thursday, Pentamedia reported a 104 per cent jump in its net profit for the fourth quarter at Rs 337.6 million against Rs 164.7 million last year. Turnover went up 41 per cent as against Rs 3929.9 million last year. The turnover for the quarter ended 31 March 2001 was Rs 1450 million.
The company claims it has got orders on hand worth $ 155 million to be executed over the next 15 months with a human resources strength of over 2,100.
Among the projects which it has completed are Sinbad’s television premiere which was released in the US on November 2000. In the last quarter of the year Pandavas – The Five Warriors, a 90-minute hybrid (convergence of live action & animation) 3D animation movie based on the famous epic Mahabharatha, was released in English for global audiences. Pandavas won the National Award for the best English feature animation movie. At the Vancouver Film Festival in Toronto, Canada, Pandavas was adjudged as the second best movie from a total of 22 animation movies.
Pentamedia has also successfully completed the production of Alibaba, to be screened in the May 2001.
This year Pentamedia is planning six more animation movies, each of 90 minutes duration. It is also planning to expand its presence in gaming by using existing animation contents and by developing new gaming contents.
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.
