GECs
Preity Zinta’s column for BBC website gets overwhelming response
MUMBAI: Actor Preity Zinta who penned her first column for the BBC’s website www.bbcnews.com/southasia on Monday 29 January, has attracted an overwhelming response from all over the world.
On the first day of its launch, the column recorded more than a hundred thousand page impressions, making it to the site’s top ten most widely read stories on the day.
Also, the BBC website www.bbcnews.com was flooded with hundreds of emails from India as well as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Australia, Malaysia, UK, US, Netherlands, Mozambique and Brazil.
In joining the BBC, Zinta who has starred in films like Dil Chahta Hai, Koi… Mil Gaya and Kal Ho Naa Ho has joined a heavyweight line up of some of South Asia’s most respected commentators including best selling author Ahmed Rashid, renowned economist Kaushik Basu and leading sports writer Rohit Brijnath.
Some of the comments that were posted on the website in response to Zinta’s column are:
Reema from Pakistan wrote, “I think what Preity wrote is absolutely true! She’s done an incredible job, and I hope she continues for a long time! The movies of the 80’s n 70’s were before my time but I do know that heroines were used as props back then! Its great to see the change in Bollywood! I’m truly a Hindi film fan. Its good that somebody who’s actually experienced it all is writing here!
Paval from India said, “It is great to see Preity Zinta, one of the most renowned actors to pen by herself few words on the BBC. Certainly I feel she is well qualified to give views on Bollywood and variety of subjects relating India, arts and future talks. It is inspiring and motivating me to read through Preity’s columns.”
Selwyn J Mukkath from Afghanistan said, “I am struck by the depth of this article, how it has traveled over the past years, and scanned the current era and given a new dimension to the present and future. It is remarkable to read so much in such a short piece. Congrats and Cheers.”
Looks like Zinta has been appreciated for her efforts. Although it remains to be seen whether the magic continues.
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.
