GECs
Star ready to go head-to-head with Sony
MUMBAI: Its official now. Star has declared war on Sony Entertainment Television and the viewers will get ringside seats as the two channels fight it out over who will rule the weekend.
If Sony’s honchos had any doubts about how their gameshow “Jeeto Chappar Phaad Ke” hosted by the irrepressible Govinda was doing Star’s response should put them at ease.
Star, which has enjoyed an amazing run since the launch in July of its hit gameshow “Kaun Banega Crorepati” hosted by Bollywood’s Big B Amitabh Bachchan, seems to be feeling the heat of competition and is going all out to put a spoke in Sony’s wheel.
Riding on the success of last Saturday’s special episode in aid of victims of the Gujarat earthquake where cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and filmstar Madhuri Dixit Nene were invited, Star says it will have more such shows.
Star India CEO Peter Mukherjea, quoted in the Economic Times on Saturday, has said: “Yes, we intend hitting Sony head-on with more special KBC programmes. Sony is strong on weekends and we can’t let them occupy that space.” Mukherjea said Star would not be reworking its normal 9 pm-10pm, Monday-to-Thursday schedule but is in the process of devising a strategy of extending KBC on weekends too with special events and celebrity shows. That is not all though. Star is also in the process of devising a strategy of increasing viewer interest in KBC on normal weekdays, which appears to be flagging.
Lucky draws for viewers and specials where couples will be allowed to participate form part of the strategy to pack them in again, Star’s corporate communications head, Yash Khanna said.
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.
