GECs
Star ropes in Amitabh Bachchan as host for ‘Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi’
MUMBAI: The “Nau Baj Gaye Kya?” question way back in the year 2000 is imprinted in the minds of one and all. That was when megastar Amitabh Bachchan came on the small screen for the first time to host Kaun Banega Crorepati for Star Plus. The show re-wrote Indian television history. Now, after a span of almost 15 years, Star India and Bachchan have come together again.
Come October and the channel is once again looking at changing the grammar of creativity and entertain and inspire a nation with Bachchan in a never-been-seen avatar. This time round, Bachchan will be seen hosting a new show on Star Plus called Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi, which is an adaptation of the British series Tonight’s The Night, which is aired on BBC One. The show will also be made available on hotstar.
BBC One’s Tonight’s The Night is a series combining show-stopping acts from world-class artists with once-in-a-lifetime performances that make people’s dreams come true. The BBC One show is hosted by actor and singer John Barrowman.
Star India CEO Said Uday Shankar said, “Our vision has been to inspire a billion imaginations and we have aimed to do that with every content offering we bring forth as a network. With Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi, we have once again collaborated with the biggest superstar of the country Amitabh Bachchan for a unique project on Indian television that will not only entertain but also inspire individuals and leave them with a reason to smile.”
Bachchan added, “Having started my television journey with Star India, I was always looking to associate with Star Plus again. However, I was keen that we come together for a befitting show that carries forward the legacy. When I heard about Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi, I instantly connected with it. I genuinely believe that media is a powerful vehicle to inspire change but we have to achieve this in an entertaining manner. What I love about this show is that it is a thoroughly entertaining show, but has its heart in the right place. I am really looking forward to it.”
The first promo of the show featuring Bachchan is out on hotstar, where he can be seen in an elevator clapping his way to happiness and dancing to the tunes of peppy beats in Macarena like dance steps.
Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi has brought on Maruti Suzuki as the presenting sponsor, whereas Cadburys Dairy Milk is the powered by sponsor.
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.
