GECs
Zee streamlines corporate structure
MUMBAI: Zee Telefilms has restructured its overseas subsidiary companies in 2004-05 to streamline and simplify operations.
Asia Today Ltd (ATL) has acquired 100 per cent stake in Pan Asia Infrastructure Ltd (PAIL), a company incorporated in Mauritius. The company has leased land from Dubai Media City to build office space and a studio. This is in line with Zee’s expansion plans in the Middle East.
In Dubai, Zee has formed a subsidiary, Zee Telefilms Middle East F.Z.L.L.C. This company, formed to handle broadcasting operations for the Middle East from the Dubai Media City, has an issued share capital fully held by ATL. Incidentally, Zee plans to launch a music and lifestyle channel, Zee Arabia, targeted at South Asians in the Middle East.
ATL, in fact, has become the hub for Zee’s international operations. As part of this exercise, Expand Fast Holdings Ltd, BVI was merged with ATL during the year.
ATL has also entered into a joint venture with Resource Software Ltd to seek programme procurement and packaging expertise for Zee’s English movie channels. ATL holds a 60 per cent in the joint venture company, Asia Business Broadcasting Mauritius Ltd. The need for a JV followed the buy out of MGM by Sony. ATL was hosting the English movie channel Zee MGM.
Zee Interactive Learning Systems Ltd (ZILS), a wholly owned subsidiary which is primarily engaged in the business of technology led learning, is being capitalised. ZILS has proposed to issue of 10,00,000 equity shares of Rs 10 each at a premium of Rs 20 to the company by converting/capitalising outstanding advances against subscription money payable on the issue. ZLS has also issued and allotted 9,50,000 equity shares of Rs 10 each to Ganjam Trading Co. Pvt. Ltd (one of the promoters of Zee Telefilms) at a premium of Rs 20 per share. This aggregates to Rs 28.5 million against the loans and advances provided by Ganjam. ZILS has, thus, ceased to be the wholly owned subsidiary of the company, though the control and management will remain with Zee Telefilms.
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.
