GECs
Shiv Sena threat on Gaurav telecast: Zee stands firm
MUMBAI: Zee Telefilms has turned down Shiv Sena working president Uddhav Thackeray’s request to refrain from telecasting Zee Gaurav Awards. Zee Telefilms VP Ashish Kaul said the event would be telecast on 11 February in its original version as per schedule.
“Zee Marathi will telecast Zee Gaurav Awards as per schedule. There is no change in plans,” Kaul told indiantelevision.com just one hour ahead of the award telecast.
Zee Marathi has slotted the Zee Gaurav Awards telecast in the 7:30 pm slot. The ground event was originally held on 5 February. The satire drama Kaka Mala Vachva, presented as part of the event, was reportedly a take-off on the Raj-Uddhav war.
Enraged by the spoof, the Shiv Sainiks vandalised the security office of Zee News at Lower Parel on 8 February. Two days later, on 10 February, the alleged Shiv Sena activists assaulted a television crew of Sahara Samay outside Bhoiwada court where the nine activists arrested on the Zee office ransacking case were produced.
Kaul added that, Zee was yet to receive an opinion from Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray on the spoof that irritated Shiv Sena. “We had sent him a copy of the satire drama. But there is no response from him yet,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zee today got an ally in the estranged Shiv Sena leader Raj Thackeray. Raj, in a Press meet, blasted the Sena for vandalising the Zee office and threatening the channel against the telecast of the show. He termed the attack on the broadcaster as unfortunate and a blow to the freedom of press.
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.
