GECs
Swastik marks 10 years of Siddharth Kumar Tewary’s Mahabharat
Mumbai: Swastik Productions, known for bringing Indian mythology and history to the screen, celebrated the tenth anniversary of its magnum opus, Mahabharat. Since its premiere, the series has captivated global audiences with its storytelling and visual appeal.
To mark this occasion, Swastik has launched a digital campaign for fans to relive the magic of Mahabharat. A key feature is the release of the unseen pilot episode on its YouTube channel, offering a look at the early creative vision behind the production.
Additionally, Swastik Productions has introduced animated avatars inspired by Mahabharat characters. These renditions engage younger audiences and connect traditional mythology with modern digital art, fostering artistic engagement with Indian mythology.
The anniversary celebrations culminated in a reunion of the original Mahabharat cast and crew. In an exclusive roundtable discussion with Siddharth Kumar Tewary, actors including Shaheer Sheikh (Arjun), Sourabh Raaj Jain (Krishna), Arpit Ranka (Duryodhan), Aham Sharma (Karna), Pooja Sharma (Draupadi), Riya Deepsi (Gandhari), Anoop Singh Thakur (Dhritarashtra), Rohit Bhardwaj (Yudhishthira), Saurav Gurjar (Bhima), and Arav Chowdhary (Bhishma) reflected on their experiences on set, shared memories, and discussed the show’s lasting impact. The conversation explored themes of duty, loyalty, and human relationships—elements that resonate with audiences and solidify Mahabharat’s status as a classic. These insightful roundtable episodes will be available on Swastik’s official YouTube channel, providing fans a glimpse into the world behind the epic.
Adding to the event, Swastik displayed iconic items from the show, such as the crowns, Krishna’s flute, Bhima’s gada, and the game of chausar. These artefacts showcased the craftsmanship that brought Mahabharat to life and offered fans a look at the dedication that contributed to the show’s cultural significance.
On this special occasion, Siddharth Kumar Tewary, the visionary behind Mahabharat, expressed his gratitude: “In 2009, I envisioned creating a grand spectacle that would bring the timeless tale of Mahabharat to life in a way that had never been done before. After years of dedication, in 2013, that dream became a reality. Today, as we celebrate this 10-year milestone, I feel a deep sense of pride and immense gratitude for the love and support we have received from audiences across the globe. Releasing the pilot episode is our way of sharing the origins of this incredible journey with the world. This experience has been a true blessing, and I hope the legacy of Mahabharat continues to inspire future generations.”
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.
