GECs
Zee 24 Gantalu seeks justice from court
MUMBAI: Of late Zee 24 Gantalu, the Telugu news channel of ZMCL has been a plethora of cases being filed against it. The latest is that it has decided to finally take a stand and say ‘enough is enough’. The channel has filed a writ petition in the Hyderabad High Court yesterday to seek relief from the FIR lodged against it by DGP V Dinesh Reddy.
A case of ‘spreading communal tension’ has been lodged in the police against it following which two employees (journalists) had been arrested and remanded in custody for two days. They are currently on bail and several other staff members have also taken anticipatory bail including the chief editor K Siva Prasad and the input editor.
The news report that is creating trouble is the one about the DGP (who is to retire soon) going to various babas (godmen) including a Hindu and a Muslim and touching their feet. He claims that the video has been morphed. The other case is where the Muslim baba has accused the channel of calling him a ‘black magician’.
“The words we used were ‘mantra gaadu’ which does not mean black magician but someone who is performing mantras,” says Zee 24 Gantalu editor K Siva Prasad.
The court’s order will come out tomorrow.
Last month another notice was sent to the channel regarding a video telecast on TRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao on the repatriation of Seemandhara region’s employees.
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.
