GECs
UTV acquires post production, recording studio
MUMBAI: Software production company UTV has acquired a post production and sound recording studio Western Outdoor Advertising.
The company will be merged with UTV’s United Studio division and will be called USL-WOA. This represents the first acquisition in the post production segment in the Indian media sector.
Reports indicate that Western Outdoor’s assets amount to Rs 250 million while USL-WOA’s will be worth around Rs 600 million. The combine is expected to garner 60 per cent of Mumbai’s business which translates into one billion rupees. UTV’s promoter Ronnie Screwvala has been quoted as saying that the initiative aims at providing superior service in the form of creative solutions to customers.
UTV is looking at expanding its business in the area of 3D animation for television content, creating special effects for films and sound recording.
The company is also looking to grow its international revenues in the fields of animation and dubbing. As part of the deal, Western Outdoor will get one per cent stake in UTV. Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp holds a 15 per cent stake in UTV.
Another report in The Economic Times indicates that UTV is also looking to spread its wings by launching four films in the year 2002-2003. One of them stars Val Kilmer last seen in The Salton Sea’ and the budget is estimated at 10 million dollars. The period love story set in India is a co-production with LA based Madira Films. Also in the pipeline is a Shah Rukh Khan film being produced in association with SRK Films, expected to be completed within 15 months. UTV is also said to be planning a solo Bollywood venture which will be directed by Samir Karnik who cut his teeth in the ad film world.
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.
