GECs
Sony goes the activist way with the launch of ‘Rihhaee’
MUMBAI: Star Movies has renewed the live and exclusive broadcast rights to The Annual Academy Awards for India and Taiwan from 2005 to 2010.
NEW DELHI: In a true Marlon Brando style (the Godfather did not want to do the role of Don Corleone as he didnt want to glorify the mafia), SET India EVP Tarun Katial explained that his company was not glorifying crime, but just highlighting the ills in the society through programmes like Rihhaee as already reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com..
The BAG-produced serial, which goes on air at a late night slot of 10.30 pm from 9 February, is based on crimes against women. No wonder, the press conference to announce the series launch on Sony was attended by Delhi CM Shiela Dixit, social activist Nafisa Ali and activist lawyer Indira Jaisingh, all of whom pointed out how crimes against women is on the rise in the Indian society and need to be tackled urgently, but delicately because of the sensitivities involved.
Television with cause,is how BAG Films MD Anurradha Prasad described the series, which is in line with Sonys social responsibility as a corporate house.
Pointing out that Sony has always supported programmes like Bhanvar (based on real life legal cases) Missing (hosted by film actor Jackie Shroff) and Crime Files to highlight the seedy sides of society and also help in justice being carried out in some way or other, Katial said,At one time, we were even trying to call Rihhaee (freedom) Bhanvar II.
Sony and BAG are also looking at roping in other activist women personalities like Member of Parliament Shabana Azmi and some non-governmental organisations to endorse the new bi-weekly series.This would be part of a marketing strategy for Rihhaee, which would also include the other normal avenues that we adopt for promoting a new programme, Katial said.
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.
