GECs
Wrestlemania 21 is a PPV blockbuster for WWE
MUMBAI: Wrestling fans tuned into record numbers on television to watch Batista defeat Triple H to become the heavyweight chyampion.
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has said that its preliminary estimate of Pay-Per-View (PPV) buys for WrestleMania 21 is more than 940,000.
This exceeds the same-time PPV buys for last year’s WrestleMania XX by more than 14 percent. Final PPV tallies may exceed one million buys for the second year in a row once all information is provided to WWE by distributors and affiliates over the next several months. In India WWE action airs on Ten Sports.
WrestleMania 21 which took place last month was seen by fans in more than 90 countries, and was broadcast to US troops around the world. More than 20,000 fans from 48 states and 14 countries converged on the sold-out Staples Center in Los Angeles to witness all the action at WWE’s annual pop culture extravaganza, setting attendance and ticket sales records.
WWE EVP marketing Kurt Schneider said, “We will maintain the incredible momentum we have built over the past 21 years by producing exceptional PPVs month in and month out.” The next PPV on WWE’s calendar is Backlash. Hulk Hogan returns to the ring for the last time.
Hulk Hogan will team up with Shawn Michaels to face Mohammed Hassan and Daivari. The main event pits current World Heavyweight Champion Batista against Triple H.
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.
