GECs
Star launches campaign with celebs to drive donations for Nepal & N. India
MUMBAI: Star India has launched a nationwide public service campaign ‘Ek Padosi Hi Padosi Ke Kaam Aata Hai’ with the NGO CARE India to mobilise relief for the natural disaster that struck Nepal and parts of northern India claiming more than 5,000 lives.
A massive earthquake of 7.8 magnitude struck Nepal on 25 April, 2015, the worst to hit the Himalayan Kingdom in 80 years. In India, states of Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh have also suffered the wrath of the earthquake.
The Star India campaign will involve Bollywood celebrities like Ranbir Kapoor, Karan Johar, Anushka Sharma, Preity Zinta and a host of Star network’s icons, who will appeal to Indians for donations, which will be channeled directly to CARE India. Viewers will have an option to donate online, or through cheques or demand drafts. The campaign will work along the lines of Operation Maitri, initiated by the Indian government.
“A tragedy has struck our neighbouring country resulting in a devastating loss of life, infrastructure and resources. We believe it is our responsibility to leverage the power of television as a force for good to help mobilise relief and provide immediate life-saving assistance to those affected. We are happy to associate with CARE India, an NGO highly respected for its humanitarian and development work in India and extremely humbled to see that our initiative has been embraced by some of the leading lights of the entertainment industry to appeal for relief,” said Star India CEO Uday Shankar.
CARE India is assessing the situation on the ground in all the affected areas of Nepal and moving relief material where it is needed most. CARE has begun distribution in some of the areas and hopes to reach out to more than 50,000 people in the coming days.
“We would appeal to all Indians for funds to ramp up the emergency response and provide immediate life-saving assistance to those affected. We are thankful to Star India for helping us raise funds for Nepal where millions are awaiting humanitarian relief. The country is running out of food, water and shelter and the onus is now on us to help them,” added CARE India board chair Dr. Nachiket Mor.
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.
