GECs
Zee reschedules Delhi’s ‘India’s best’ auditions due to overwhelming response
MUMBAI: There is no biz like show biz! Over 20,000 Delhiites had reportedly gathered for the Zee Televisions India’s Best- Cine Star Ki Khoj auditions held at the Kalka Public School in Delhi on 7 June. Although the officials were expecting a high turn out, the overwhelming response caught the management off guard.
Apparently, the organising committee had to call the police to control the crowd. After that, Zee was forced to change the venue and hence the dates for the auditions.
Auditions will now be held at Mittal Farms, Annuvarth Marg, between Ahimsa Sthal and Andheria Modh, Mehrauli Gurgaon Road, New Delhi, from 8 to 9 June, from 9 am to 6 pm.
According to a company release, hordes of youngsters gathered at the venue yesterday from 2:30 am. By 9:30 am, more than 20,000 boys and girls were patiently awaiting their ‘Big Break’.
At the venue, Essel Group’s Corporate Brand Development Group’s vice president, Ashish Kaul said, “We have been completely overwhelmed by the humungous response from the people of Delhi. Till now in other cities, we had had close to 4000 to 5000 participants for the auditions but this was totally unexpected. Considering this responce, the venue of audition has been shifted.”
To date, India’s Best – Cine Star Ki Khoj has completed auditions in 16 cities. The last phases are being held in New Delhi, Rajkot, Varanasi and Kolhapur. More than 8,00,000 entries have been received so far, adds the release.
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.
