GECs
Romil Ramgarhia is new commercial head for ZEEL
MUMBAI: From V to Z. Z as in ZEEL. That’s how Romil Ramgarhia’s route is taking him up the ladder. From handling just one channel at Viacom 18 – Colors – he will now be the commercial head of ZEEL with the responsibility of a larger band of channels in the Zee Network.
He will be reporting directly to ZEEL MD and CEO Punit Goenka. Speaking on his appointment Goenka said, “I am glad to have Romil join the ZEE family, and I am confident that his rich experience will bring in immense value to the organisation.”
Ecstatic about his new role with Zee, Ramgarhia said, “It is always an honour to join a global brand like ZEEL. I have personally been an admirer of the pioneering steps taken by this organisation in the past 20 years, and I look forward to being a part of the ZEE family.”
The appointment is effective from 13 September 2013 and the whole commercial team will report to Ramgarhia. Prior to Viacom 18, he was also associated with Bharti Airtel, Asian Paints and ACC.
Last month, ZEEL’s former commercial head Utpal Das shifted to Viacom 18 as its new chief commercial officer. It looks like the two networks are busy playing musical chairs with each other.
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.
