GECs
TED Talks Nayi Soch on Star Plus, Hotstar: Content should feed passion for knowledge, says Uday Shankar
MUMBAI: “Television should offer a spectrum of content which includes not just the traditional definition of entertainment but also content that feeds the human passion for knowledge, which stokes curiosity and inspires people,” said Star India chairman and CEO Uday Shankar, at the unveiling of the first look of ‘TED Talks’ in India along with the megastar Shah Rukh Khan and head of TED Chris Anderson in Mumbai on Thursday evening.
Inspiring a billion imaginations is much more than a tag line, it’s a promise Star India delivers every day in ways that break away from the conventional, spark national debate and help shape the new India.
Challenging the grammar of conventional entertainment and inspiring Nayi Soch, Star India is bringing this disruption on Star Plus, produced by Fremantle India, and hosted by Khan.
Star India has always believed in powering social change through the power of its content to influence and impact people’s lives and thought. Continuing with this journey, the new programme will take forward Star’s commitment of creating a social impact.
In a global first collaboration that will make the transformative power of ideas accessible to audience across India, Star Plus unites with TED – the global platform known for spotlighting and spreading powerful ideas that transform people see the world.
It is TED’s first collaboration with a major network to produce a television series featuring original TED Talks in a language other than English.
The show will bring some of the best innovators and thinkers of Indian origin to the center stage, hosted by Shah Rukh Khan. The show captures a mix of speakers, thinkers and doers, who have questioned norms and brought forth unique ideas that have the potential to inspire billions.
All these ideas which originate from personal belief and self-motivation bear testimony to the ingenuity of Indians.
Scientists, authors, thinkers, entrepreneurs and artistes, this show provides a global platform to speakers from all walks of life, taking their ideas to every home in India with the huge reach of the Star Plus platform. It can also be viewed on Hotstar, Star’s online video streaming platform.
Shankar said: “At Star, we have always believed that conventional definitions of content exist only to be challenged. I have been a big fan of TED and felt that there is no reason why these ideas should not be made accessible to all Indians in a language of their choice.”
He added: “The timing is perfect — It is a time when the world is looking to India for the next big idea. Shah Rukh Khan whose charisma and enthusiasm will be pivotal in connecting with our viewers.”
Khan said: “Bringing the power of ideas to people’s living rooms across India, and reaching out to especially the youth of our country, is something that’s really exciting.”
Anderson said, “We have a real shot at offering millions of people the empowerment that inspiring speakers can bring.”
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TED Talks to get Hindi version on Star with SRK as host
Star Plus salutes Moms through Dhoni, Kohli and Ajinkya in promos
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.
