GECs
Zee Anmol gets into original programming
MUMBAI: The free-to-air (FTA) general entertainment channel (GEC) – Zee Anmol, which until now aired some of the hit shows from its sister channel Zee TV, has now made its original programming debut.
The channel’s new show Vim Grihani No. 1, premiered on 10 April and will be aired every Friday at 6:30 pm.
“In a short while, Zee Anmol has challenged other players in the FTA genre to build a legacy of entertainment and emerge as a strong brand on television. It has touched people’s hearts through real and genuine emotions depicted in some of the best shows that Indian television has ever seen. With our first original production, Grihani No 1, Zee Anmol salutes every grihani (housewife) in India. They have been pillars of support to everyone around them. It is an exciting show that felicitates the woman of the house by making her feel special and acknowledging her selfless contribution towards her home,” said Zee TV & FTA cluster head marketing Sorbojeet Chatterjee.
Hosted by actor Ajay Singh Chaudhary, Vim Grihani No. 1 is an engagement led series revolving around one family in India in each episode. The search for Grihani No. 1 was conducted in many cities and towns in India including Deolali and Dhule in Maharashtra, Itarsi, Bhopal and Habibganj in Madhya Pradesh and Kanpur, Lucknow and Rai Bareli in Uttar Pradesh, amongst others.
Viewers also get an opportunity to invite Zee Anmol to their homes to felicitate their own Grihani No. 1. Every episode has the host interacting with the homemaker and her family members where they talk about her life, her dreams and ambitions. This will be followed by one minute games and quizzes related to the family.
The current lineup of programmes on the channel includes fiction and non-fiction properties from Zee TV, movies and kids’ content.
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.
