GECs
Vikas Varma joins UTV as COO television conten
MUMBAI: UTV today announced the appointment of Vikas Varma as chief operating officer (COO) for its television content division. The appointment comes almost 10 months after the former COO Manish Popat “was asked to go” in July 2003.
Varma was formerly with Touché Communications as MD and has 16 years of advertising and entertainment expertise both in the brand building and advertising space.
Varma has wide-ranging experience spanning 16 years in advertising and media and has worked with top ad agencies such as Frank Simoes Advertising, Madison Advertising and Touché Communications in the capacity of MD. He has been instrumental in strategising for and launching a number of durable, FMCG and entertainment brands during the course of his career.
Varma who has launched a number of TV serials and shows like Movers & Shakers and Chappad Phaad Ke among others was been involved in the launch of events like Ms World 1996 and Madhuri’s Secrets of Emami.
“We are delighted to have Vikas on board who brings with him 16 years of experience in advertising, branding building, marketing solutions. With his expertise UTV’s TV division will see unprecedented growth by making UTV the top software company in Asia,” says UTV promoter Ronnie Screwvala.
As COO, Varma will guide the TV division’s business strategy and operations along with business development.
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.
