GECs
Zee poaches Ajay Kumar from ETV to head South initiatives
MUMBAI: Zee Telefilms is adding momentum to its Southern plans. The company has roped in ETV Network general manager marketing R Ajay Kumar to head its South initiatives.
Zee currently is present in Andhra Pradesh with Alpha Telugu, but is yet to make a mark with Sun Network-owned Gemini and ETV Telugu dominating the market. Kumar’s task as business head will not only be to strengthen Alpha Telugu but also to pan out Zee’s expansion plans in the entire southern region.
Kumar, who was earlier ETV Network GM marketing, is joining Zee group in the capacity of senior VP & business head for Alpha South initiatives with effect from 1 February 2005. Based out of Hyderabad, Kumar will be reporting to Zee Telefilms CEO Pradeep Guha.
Announcing the appointment Zee Telefilms director Punit Goenka said, “We are happy to announce the appointment of an accomplished professional like Ajay as the business head of Alpha South Channels. Expansion of various Alpha Channels in the Southern region, spanning several languages and genres, will be the perfect foil to his skills.”
Ajay Kumar started his broadcasting career in 1994 with Gemini TV where he worked as marketing head. Before that he was a faculty of Mass Communication & Journalism in Osmania University. Kumar had a brief stint as head of business promotions in ETV Telugu from 1995 – 1998 before going back to Osmania. In 2001 he joined ETV Network in the marketing department.
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.
