GECs
Three matches already on Sony marriage-show ‘Shubh Vivaah’?
Matches they say are made in heaven or as in this case on heavenly sets. Sony Entertainment Television’s soon to-be-launched mega-programme Shubh Vivaah (happy marriage) has some happy news to report, if industry sources are to be believed.
The show, hosted by former queen bee of Bollywood Madhuri Dixit (she’s really heavenly, those who have been on the shoots will tell you), has seen three matches made on the sets in ten days of shooting, the sources say.
When contacted, however, Rekha Nigam, senior V-P programming and production, refused to either confirm or deny the news.
According to reports about the format of the show – Sony is not talking – the UTV-produced show has prospective brides and grooms being introduced to each other. They discuss their backgrounds, their families, what they are interested in and what they look for in a marriage partner. If a couple hit it off they will actually get married. Off the show, that is.
Now if Sony can just get past the “small problem” of a court case that has been slapped on it by the promoters of another matchmaking television show called Swayamvar, slated to kick off on national broadcaster Doordarshan in November. Swayamvar, a weekly show that was announced earlier than Shubh Vivaah, is being produced by former Bollywood hunk Vinod Khanna’s Taal India Communication Private Limited, and directed by Anil Gupta. Taal claims that the original concept belongs to it.
According to sources, the court case may possibly delay the launch of Shubh Vivaah.
And for those into conspiracy theories, Anil Gupta was earlier affiliated to Subhash Chandra-promoted Zee TV, while his wife, Urmila Gupta, once a senior DD official, was formerly heading I Sky-B at Star.
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.
