GECs
Star One comic talent hunt via reality show
MUMBAI: Star One’s ready to tickle your funny bone. Considering the fact that reality seems to be the flavour of the season, Star One’s latest endeavour is the promise of a laughter riot. Essentially a reality show, the Hindi entertainment channel from Star has announced The Great Indian Comedy Challenge which is a nationwide hunt for the best comic talent in India.
The show will provide a platform for all-comers to prove their talent across all genres of humour. Humour kings Shekhar Suman and Navjot Singh Sidhu will be donning the judges’ hats. The big-ticket prize includes a double whammy, with the winner getting an entry to the ensemble cast of The Great Indian Comedy Show, and will also get an opportunity to host an all-new comedy show on Star One.
The call for entries, will be open till 24 April. Number lagao, Hamein hasao, Kismet ki ghanti bajao – is the theme of the promos which are currently playing across the Star network. Aspirants can enter the challenge by calling up an IVR-activated number, or sending in VHS tapes and VCDs.
Star One has also tied up with Café Coffee Day to enable more people to participate through its large network of outlets across the country. Sixty of the best entries will be chosen to participate in the final rounds of this comic challenge and compete for the coveted prize.
Announcing the launch, Star One vice-president programming Ravi Menon said, “At Star One programming innovation has been our key driver. The show is another step towards fulfilling Star One’s promise of providing contemporary and aspirational Indian programming to audiences.
“There is tremendous comic talent across India and we are confident that with this show we will bring them to the forefront. The Great Indian Comedy Show is one of our highest rated shows and our latest discovery will be the newest addition to the show.”
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.
