GECs
Viacom18 Digital Ventures names Monika Shergill as content head
MUMBAI: Viacom18 has appointed Monika Shergill as content head of Viacom18 Digital Ventures. As a part of her mandate, Shergill will be responsible for driving content and programming strategy for Viacom18’s new digital business.
She will be reporting to Viacom 18 COO Gaurav Gandhi.
Gandhi said, “We are delighted to have Monika Shergill on board to drive the content initiatives for our digital business. She brings with her a wealth of experience in content development and creative strategy, which, we believe, will enable us to create differentiated and compelling offerings across audience groups.”
Shergill added, “I hold tremendous regard for the various businesses that Viacom18 has explored keeping in tune with viewer preferences. The digital platform is fast-evolving and I am looking forward to working towards developing this segment further for Viacom18 Digital Ventures, along with its extremely talented team.”
Shergill has close to 20 years of experience in the broadcast industry in creating content, mounting big scale productions, running network teams for channel brands and being responsible for budgets and promotions.
Prior to joining Viacom18 Digital Ventures, she worked with companies like Star India, Sony Entertainment Television, Zee Telefilms and SAB TV.
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.
