GECs
Sameer Gogate returns to Viacom18 as Colors business head
MUMBAI: When general manager Sameer Gogate put in his papers at BBC Studios, it was not clear why and where he was headed. Why would someone give up a plum secure job working with the Beeb which many an executive joins with a retirement plan in mind?
That clarity came in mid-this week, when whispers started that he was actually heading back to his alma mater – Viacom18 – now called JioStar, followed the merger with Disney Star India.
But what would he be doing there, was the question? Isn’t the company extremely top heavy with so many bosses that not even department executives know who is reporting to whom and who has the responsibility for a particular function?
That clarity too came when Gogate’s responsibility was leaked. He would be in charge of the business of Colors, Viacom18’s star channel. In his new role, Gogate will report to Alok Jain, head of cluster entertainment at JioStar.
For the record, Gogate joining Viacom18 is like returning home for him as he was once deeply embedded in its ecosystem. He was director of commercial and syndication, overseeing content syndication, film acquisitions, and co-productions for Viacom18 Motion Pictures and he also had a position at Colors, where he managed music and format licensing, talent management, and group commercial strategy a few years ago.
Gogate brings a wealth of experience from his time at BBC Studios, where he played a pivotal role since 2019 in producing local adaptations of popular BBC formats, including multiple seasons of Criminal Justice and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (Dancing with the Stars). He also oversaw the creation of original series such as Highway Love, Ishq in the Air, School of Lies, and Tujhpe Main Fida. Among his recent successes was the IMDb top-ten hit, The Shekhar Suman Show.
Prior to BBC Studios, Gogate worked at Vuclip as Head of Monetisation, Commercial, and Distribution, where he managed revenue operations and key content partnerships. He also held senior roles at Eros International Media, Endemol India, Viacom18, and EY.
Meanwhile, following Gogate’s departure, BBC Studios India has announced an interim leadership arrangement. Deepa Nair, head of business and legal affairs, and Sachin Mahajan, head of finance, will jointly oversee the production team in India. Stanley Fernandes will continue leading the channels & streaming and content sales divisions for India and South Asia. The company has yet to announce a permanent successor for Gogate.
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.
