GECs
Star Movies strikes output deal for 40 Dreamworks films
Star has announced that its Star Movies channel has signed an output deal with DreamWorks Distribution to acquire the exclusive pay-television rights for 40 DreamWorks SKG films to be broadcast in India and Pakistan. The agreement extends the nine-picture deal brokered between Star and DreamWorks in June 2000.
Titles to premiere on Star Movies include “The Haunting” starring Liam Neeson, Best Picture Oscar-winner “American Beauty”, rib-tickling Star Trek spoof “Galaxy Quest”, animation classics “The Road To El Dorado” and “Chicken Run”, and Peter Chan’s poignant “The Love Letter”, an official release states.
Founded by film and music industry giants Steven Spielberg, Jefferey Katzenberg and David Geffen, DreamWorks had a bountiful summer with the box office heat generated by “Shrek”, the animated blockbuster featuring the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz, and “A.I. Artificial Intelligence”, a Steven Spielberg film.
Jamie Davis, senior VP, programming, Star, said: “Building on the fantastic response the DreamWorks titles have generated for us thus far, we are very excited to add a long line of new DreamWorks titles for the benefit of our South Asian viewers.”
Speaking on behalf of DreamWorks Distribution, Hal Richardson, head of Worldwide Television Distribution, expressed enthusiasm for the agreement, stating: “We are very pleased to have concluded this deal, securing a home for our motion picture product in pay television for India and Pakistan. We are especially happy that this arrangement has served to broaden the relationship with our friends at Star.”
The DreamWorks agreement further expands a Star Movies library that consists of exclusive contributions from 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney (which includes the output of Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures and Miramax), MGM/United Artists, Canal+ and over 100 independent distributors and production companies, the release says.
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.
