GECs
Shareholder files lawsuit against Viacom & CBS over Sumner Redstone’s pay
MUMBAI: Investors targeted Viacom Inc and filed a lawsuit against Viacom and CBS’s boards on 19 January, alleging the companies improperly paid millions to executive chairman Sumner Redstone while he was physically and mentally incapacitated.
Redstone’s health issues were heightened after his ex-girlfriend Manuela Herzer filed a lawsuit that raised doubts about the billionaire’s competence. Redstone’s lawyers have maintained that he is in full control of making decisions.
The new shareholder lawsuit, filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery, says payments to Redstone “for services not rendered” amounted to bad faith by the two boards and also says the Viacom board misrepresented Redstone’s deteriorated physical and mental condition in a January 2015 proxy statement.
The Redstone controversy began last fall when his ex-girlfriend was thrown off his advance healthcare directive and escorted out of his sprawling hilltop estate. She sued, contending the mogul was in no position to make such decisions.
Redstone named Viacom chief executive Philippe Dauman as his new healthcare agent. Dauman filed a motion on 15 January in a New York court to stop his deposition in connection with Herzer’s case.
As per media reports, an attorney for Herzer had no immediate comment on Dauman’s filing. Herzer’s attorney has previously said she sued solely over concern for Redstone’s health.
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.
