GECs
Zee to provide financial aid to Marathi film industry
MUMBAI: Zee chairman Subhash Chandra has revealed Zee Telefilms’ plans to support the Marathi film industry financially. Chandra was speaking on the occasion of Alpha Marathi’s Apla Alpha Awards ceremony held on 11 August.
“Though initially there had been doubts on the potential of a Marathi satellite channels when we started Alpha Marathi, the effort has finally met with success. In this context, we also have plans to support the Marathi film industry financially,” he said.
Marathi film industry has welcomed Chandra’s announcement. Talking to Indiantelevision.com, actor-producer Sachin Pilgaonkar offers, “I feel very good. This is a great gesture from Chandra.”
Pilgaonkar refused to comment further on the development saying the industry is waiting for Zee’s final plans.
“We have to see the kind of policy Zee comes up with. Are they going to co-produce, provide financial assistance or is it going to be world rights controlling. So we have to wait for the final decision from Zee,” he said.
Sources close to Indiantelevision.com inform that Zee has plans to provide two kinds of support: 1) Financially supporting producers who approach Zee, 2) Providing marketing support to the movies through Alpha Marathi. The final deal is believed to be under preparation.
Valued at Rs 100 million, the Marathi film industry churns out 20-25 films per year on an average. According to industry sources, the film industry is now doing better as compared to the past years with more and more filmmakers starting to show their inclination to experiment.
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.
