GECs
Star India appoints Vijay Singh as president, strategy & corporate development
MUMBAI: Following the exit of its corporate CEO Peter Mukerjea as of 1 February, and the pending departure of its operational CEO Sameer Nair next month, Star has made the first executive announcement regarding the leadership team that will lead it in the next phase of the network’s evolution.
Star India announced today the appointment of Vijay Singh, former CEO of Sony Music and currently Tata group company Tetley Tea’s managing director – developing markets, as president, strategy and corporate development. Singh will report to Star Group CEO Paul Aiello, who is currently holding additional charge as Star India chief executive.
In what the broadcast major terms a newly created role, Singh will be responsible for developing business directions for Star India while taking an active role in the company’s venture businesses in India. He will oversee corporate functions including strategic planning, business development, human resources, legal, government affairs, MIS, administration and corporate communications. A point of note here is that there has been a position of president corporate affairs lying vacant since Nitin Atroley resigned a year ago.
Singh will join Star in April, soon after the departure of Nair, whose last working day as head of India’s lead broadcaster is 26 March.
With the public announcement of Singh’s appointment, Star now officially has two presidents. Paritosh Joshi is president, advertising sales and distribution.
Commenting on Singh’s appointment, Aiello said, “Vijay is a veteran executive with a huge breadth of experience and we feel very fortunate to have attracted him to join Star India. His business acumen and unique insights into India and other developing markets will be invaluable as Star India readies itself for its next phase of growth and expansion.”
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.
