GECs
Zee invites viewers’ vote to choose ‘India’s Best’
MUMBAI: “India votes for India’s Best.” That is Zee’s next agenda for Zee’s talent hunt India’s Best- Cinestars Ki Khoj.
With the talent hunt having reached its final phase, next is public opinion and the channel has invited viewers to decide the fate of the final 20 contestants competing for the title of India’s Best.
While voting has already begun, viewers can vote via SMS to 7575, toll free numbers 1250 111 130 for Mumbai and Delhi, 1250 130 for Ahemdabad, Indore, Pune, Kolkatta, Chennai, Banglore, Hyderabad, Gurgaon and Ludhiana and through the Internet. According to a company release, the telephone lines will be open 24 hours.
Speaking about the initiative Zee TV president Abhijit Saxena said, “The viewers are the ones who will watch these super stars on the big screen. Therefore it is the viewers right to vote and select the best. Thus the concept of India Vote’s is a step to choose the most deserving contestant from the 20 finalists of India’s Best.”
Thus far in India’s Best -Cinestar ki khoj, viewers have witnessed many youngsters queue up for auditions across 20 cities in India and five abroad. The channel has tried to capture the excitement of the ground events, the grooming and the short-listing from the 20 city winners to the 32 finalists has been telecast and latest to the final twenty.
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.
