GECs
Zee 24 Gantalu scribes get court support
MUMBAI: The Hyderabad High Court in an order passed on 26 September regarding the two cases lodged against Telugu news channel Zee 24 Gantalu has asked the police to combine the two FIRs in one.
Two cases were filed against the channel for airing a video that had shown DGP V Dinesh Reddy going to two godmen and asking for their blessings. The DGP claims the video was morphed. The other case was filed by the Muslim godman, who claims that the channel called him a ‘black magician’.
The channel says he has misinterpreted the words. The actual words it used were ‘mantra gaadu’ which means someone who performs mantras.
The case that the DGP has lodged will be clubbed with the one that the Baba had lodged.
Additionally, the court has also ordered the police to resist from arresting journalists of Zee 24 Gantalu without any prima facie evidence. Two journalists had been arrested by the police earlier and remanded in custody for two days. They are now on bail.
The staff of the channel has taken anticipatory bail including the editor K Siva Prasad. He says that the bail is still valid because the bail was applied for the case one and now the second case will also be clubbed in the first case.
“We are ready to fight the case,” says Prasad.
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.
