GECs
Shemaroo appoints Swati Darekar as head of programming- Hindi GEC
Mumbai: Shemaroo Entertainment, a leading media and entertainment conglomerate in India, has announced the appointment of Swati Darekar as the head of programming- Hindi GEC (General Entertainment Channel). In this role, Darekar will spearhead the content strategy for the Shemaroo Hindi GEC cluster, aligning with overall broadcast business objectives. Leading the conceptualisation, development and execution of content for Shemaroo TV & Shemaroo Umang, Swati will lead a team of content creators to produce engaging and relevant content that resonates with the target audience.
Darekar is a seasoned professional in the General Entertainment Channel domain with a proven track record in creating and curating content that resonates with diverse audiences. Prior to joining Shemaroo, she has played pivotal role as Fiction Head (Vice President HME Content) at Colors (Viacom18), contributing significantly to the success of shows like ‘Barrister Babu,’ ‘Nima Denzongpa,”Savi Ki Savaari’ and the recently launched show ‘Doree.’ Her illustrious career includes a significant tenure as Creative Director (Vice President Content) at Sony Entertainment Television (Sony Pictures Networks), steering the success of shows like ‘Mere Sai’ and ‘Patiala Babes.’ Before Sony, Swati made notable contributions as Creative Director (Vice President- Fiction Programming) at Star Plus (Disney Star), shaping iconic shows like ‘Diya aur Baati Hum,’ ‘Saraswatichandra,’ ‘Tamanna’ amongst others.
Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd COO of Broadcasting Business Sandeep Gupta, expressed his delight about the appointment, stating, “We are excited to have Swati Darekar join our team as the Head of Programming- Hindi GEC. Her wealth of experience and creative acumen align perfectly with Shemaroo’s commitment to delivering engaging content. With Swati leading our programming efforts, we are confident in achieving new milestones and offering captivating experiences to our viewers.”
This strategic move reinforces Shemaroo Entertainment’s dedication to excellence and innovation in the ever-evolving entertainment industry.
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.
