GECs
Star India gets aggressive with global programme syndication sales
MUMBAI: Leading Indian media and entertainment major Star India is quite confident that its new catalogue of historical dramas and contemporary soaps and series will gain traction as it continues with its international syndication drive. In an interaction with World Screen, Star India president international business and domestic distribution Gurjeev Kapoor said: “Our new line-up of shows like Love Ka Hai Intezar (The Wait For Love), Dhhai Kilo Prem (Imperfect Love), Tu Suraj Mein Saanj Piyaji (Soulmates season two) and Nimki Mukhiya (The Accidental Mayor) are generating a lot of interest. These shows have already captured the attention of audiences in India and are now on their way to winning [over] audiences worldwide.”
According to Kapoor, Star India’s shows have begun to get traction in almost every territory globally–right from the US to the UK to Europe and the CIS, Latin America and Southeast Asia. In some of these markets, partners or sales agents have been helping the broadcaster to find buyers; in some of them, Star India’s programme syndication team in Mumbai and other regions is driving the sales. In Latin America, the company has partnered Latin Media Corp, for Europe and CIS it has been working with Intellecta Srl while in Southeast Asia it has been selling directly.
The efforts have yielded results. For instance, Saras & Kumud (Saraswatichandra) has done well in seven Latin American nations, including Chile and Peru. Then Yours Truly, Paakhi (Tumhari Paakhi) has got a favourable response in Peru. Kapoor told the magazine that this has enthused the company to invest in dubbing a few more of its top shows.
Kapoor pointed to out that Is Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon has been its most successful breakthrough and it made history by becoming the first-ever Indian drama series to air in Turkey. “It broke many viewership records by quadrupling the channel ratings in that slot for our partner Kanal 7. This paved the way for many more Indian series on local Turkish television and Turkey continues to be a big market for us.”
Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand are some of the Southeast nations that have been lapping up a lot of the content Star India has been dishing out. Among the shows that have done well in the region, Kapoor said, are Mahabharat, Diya Aur Baati Hum, Veera and Chandra Nandini.
Kapoor is also looking at adding to its partnerships for selling its programme formats. Star India has a partnership with Eccho Rights for three or four of its shows and is in conversation with other partners in local markets.
He believes that good storytelling can traverse borders and cultures and forms the core of Star India’s international business. “Programme sales have been a driver in expanding Star India’s content footprint across the world. This is an area where we were good but we want to grow exponentially,” Kapoor concluded.
Amen to that!
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.
