GECs
Sony bags showman Ghai library
The Showman – as Subhash Ghai is known – has found a buyer for his 15 strong movie library, a year after B4U failed to deliver on its commitments to acquiring it. The buyer this time has deeper pockets so Mukta Arts shareholders and investors need not crease their brows with worry: Sony Entertainment Television. The transaction is believed to be valued in the region of Rs 140 million, a similar amount that B4U had agreed to pay Mukta Arts earlier.
Sony will be airing the movies in two tranches under the banner of The Dream Merchant- the Subhash Ghai film festival airing every Saturday. The first tranche is from 25 May to 6 July and is scheduled to be only on Sony Entertainment Television. The lineup of the movies is: Taal (25 May), Karma (1 June), Karz (8 June), Pardes (15 June), Saudagar (22 June) Khalnayak (29 June), and Yaadein (6 July).
In the second tranche, the remaining eight movies will air on Set Max in October after the Champions Trophy. SET India CEO Kunal Dasgupta is buoyant: “This is the biggest acquisition of Hindi movie blockbusters to date. And we are bringing the best of Indian cinema to our viewers.” SET officials say that a host of promotions is planned around the festival and Ghai himself may make an appearance to promote his brand of cinema.
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.
