GECs
Sabe TV sticks to its guns on ‘Zimmedar Kaun?’
Controversy notwithstanding, Sabe TV will go ahead with the scheduled telecast of the Zimmedar Kaun? episode featuring the hawkers-Bombay Municipal Corporation fracas tomorrow at noon.
Sabe TV vice-chairman and managing director Markand Adhikari says there will be no rethinking on the telecast of ‘Feriwale’, as demanded by deputy municipal commissioner Chandrashekhar Rokde. The chat show had degenerated into mud slinging and even physical abuse as host Priya Tendulkar allegedly sided with some of the panelists during the debate on whether hawking should be restricted in Mumbai. Tendulkar herself claimed that she had been also hit during the show. Rokde allegedly walked out of the episode in disgust after he was heckled by hawkers’ union leader Suresh Kapile and a section of the audience. Citizen’s forums’ representatives who participated in the show also spoke about Tendulkar’s bias.
Adhikari says the channel does not interfere with the editorial aspects of its programmes. Zimmedar Kaun? is produced by host Tendulkar herself. The programme was launched at the time of the Sabe TV channel launch in 2000, and won the RAPA award for the best talk show in June this year. It was also nominated for the Screen Videocon awards this year.
Meanwhile, the Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat, which is spearheading the hawkers’ agitation against the municipal corporation, seems to have got its facts a little mixed up. In a press release, it has demanded that Zee TV go ahead and telecast the controversial episode, failing which the union will hold demonstrations in front of Rokde’s office. Rokde had earlier said that, in all fairness, the channel should refrain from airing this episode.
So what can we expect now? A demonstration outside Zee’s offices for “their having bowed to BMC pressure in not airing the show?”
The programme is aired on Sabe TV on Sundays at noon, with a repeat telecast at 8 PM.
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.
