GECs
Zee revving up its programming
Zee TV is quietly putting together some fresh programming ideas that it hopes will connect with audiences that have yet to take to what the channel is offering in any great numbers.
A new daily soap Tu Kahe Agar… begins telecast tonight and will be airing Monday to Thursday in the 10:30 pm slot. One thing Tu Kahe Agar… will have to do and fast is get off the blocks with all guns blazing because it is pitted against the top soap in Hindi entertainment television today – Star Plus’ Kyunki Saas Bhi Bahu Thi.
Tu Kahe Agar… follows on the back of what definitely looks to be a winner for the channel – Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai – a celebrity talk show hosted by noted actor Farooque Sheikh and produced by Prannoy Roy’s New Delhi Television (NDTV). Jeena… aired its second episode last Friday.
The first episode of Jeena… featured Bollywood hearthrob Shah Rukh Khan while the second had ex-beauty queen and now filmstar Aishwarya Rai in the spotlight.
Jeena… is seen as a chance for celebrities to catch up with those they knew in their past. It offers a glimpse into what the stars were like in their childhood and formative years before becoming household names.
Coming back to the two episodes that have aired thus far, while the Shah Rukh episode was witty, intelligent and entertaining, Aishwarya Rai’s simpering sweetness grated on the nerves somewhat.
Expectedly, friends and acquaintences have nothing but nice things to say and that can get rather cloying. In all this “goody two shoes” kind of refrain from the guests, the role of anchor Sheikh becomes that much more crucial to holding the show together by keeping the mood light.
Sheikh might want to look at doing a Whoopi Goldberg (remember the Oscars?) and putting in some irreverence into the show.
On the plus side, the effort put into tracking down teachers, school principals, fellow actors and other old friends and acquaintances shows. And that is likely to work as far as getting the viewers in is concerned.
‘AMANAT’ TO FAST FORWARD 20 YEARS: One sign that an idea is working is if someone else cottons on to it. And by that yardstick Star Plus Kyunki… is on a good wicket because Zee TV is doing the same thing for its long running soap Amanat.
One sign that an idea is working is if someone else cottons on to it. And by that yardstick Star Plus Kyunki… is on a good wicket because Zee TV is doing the same thing for its long running soap Amanat.
A new director Mukul Abhyankar has been roped in. Anupama Mishra will do the dialogues and Vandana Oberoi will be responsible for the screenplay. Fresh faces among cast members include Mohit Chaddha.
Reports indicate that Zee was keen on keeping the show going as it is still popular in North India although the show’s producer Sapna Bhattacharya has said that she wanted to wrap things up.
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.
