GECs
Reliance Capital set to buy Adlabs
MUMBAI: Anil Ambani looks to be in a mighty hurry to carve out a telecom and entertainment empire, soon after splitting from his brother Mukesh. His latest move in what has been a high octane week: The acquisition for Rs 3.50 billion ($83 million) of a 51 per cent controlling stake in Adlabs Films, a leading motion picture processing laboratory which also runs a chain of multiplexes.
The acquisition will be made through Reliance Land Pvt Ltd (RLPL), a part of the Reliance Capital group. “Reliance Land proposes to acquire Adlabs Films, subject to applicable SEBI takeover regulations, and shareholder and other approvals, as may be necessary, at an estimated investment of Rs 350 crore,” an official release says.
A Reliance spokesperson added: “Pursuing the large opportunity to infuse capital and provide management bandwidth to promising companies as a planned strategy of growth, we are proposing to acquire Adlabs, a leading company in the entertainment sector.”
According to information available with Indiantelevision.com, Reliance will make an open offer for 20 per cent stake. Reliance Capital already holds 5.84 per cent in Adlabs.
Reliance Land proposes to buy out founder promoter Vasanji Mamania’s entire 31.51 per cent stake in Adlabs Films for Rs 1 billion, it is learnt. The balance will be through preferential allotment for Rs 2.50 billion. As per available information, founder-promoter Manmohan Shetty will continue to hold stake in the company. Shetty currently holds 31.51 per cent stake in Adlabs Films.
Official confirmation was not available on this though. Attempts to contact Shetty for his comment proved futile till the time of filing this report.
According to earlier reports, Reliance Capital has acquired a 15 per stake in Prime Focus, a Mumbai-based TV and film editing company.
With Reliance Infocomm under his control after the split, Anil is planning to line up entertainment content through acquisitions before he rolls out triple play (voice, data and video)services. Reliance Energy, his other company, has already applied for direct-to-home license.
ADLABS SHARES HIT 20% CIRCUIT BREAKER AT Rs 240.60
Adlabs Films hit the 20 per cent circuit breaker, fuelled by the news that Reliance Capital group company was acquiring controlling stake. The scrip opened at Rs 200 and closed at Rs 240.60.
Interestingly, the Adlabs stock has been gaining since Monday on the back of interest from institutional investors.
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.
