GECs
Zee to release ‘Bhagmati’ in June
MUMBAI: Zee Telefilms is finally unveiling its 2D animation film Bhagmati mid June this year. Zee has plans to tap the international market by going for a global release.
In Bhagmati, `live’ actors interact with animated characters. The Zee Institute of Creative Arts (ZICA) studio has taken care of the animation part.
Essel Group VP corporate communications and brand development group Ashish Kaul told indiantelevision.com that Bhagmati had over seven million hand-drawn frames and this process took some time to complete.
Kaul, who has also been entrusted with the responsbility of marketing and distributing Bhagmati, India’s first live and animation film, said the stress would be on the novelty of the movie and the campaign would be a simple one.
Zee is planning to use a mix of outdoors and other media to create the buzz. Definitely, Zee Network will also play its role in the communication.
The network is also releasing the film in international territories, including France, Russia and the UK. Kaul says the effort is to get audiences from places where the Indian art and culture are immensely popular.
“These are huge territories as far as film business is concerned. Since we are stressing on the heritage of India in the film, we expect it to have a good run in these places. Also, the film will give an idea to the international audiences about what India can do in animation,” he says.
Bhagmati is about the making of Hyderabad and as part of its marketing and communicaton strategy, Zee would use a lot of reality components in the campaign.
Bhagmati – the queen of fortunes is a legendary love story between price Mohd.Quili Qutub Shah and his ardent love, and the beauteous Bhagmati. History says, the fourth Qutb Shahi ruler built the city of Hyderabad at the behest of his lady love. Directed by national award winner Ashok Kaul, the movies has Tabu and Milind Soman playing the lead roles. Hema Malini is giving a special appearance in the movie by delivering a classical dance performance.
This film is of two hours and 40 minutes duration with about half of it in animation and six songs by renowned writers and music composers like Bashir Badr, Abbas Tyrewala, Nida Fazli, Ravindra Jain and Ashok Kaul. Asha Bhonsle, Sadna Sargam, Suresh Wadekar, Roop Kumar Rathod have lent their voices to the music of Vishal Bhardwaj. The film also has a quawalli by the popular Sabri brothers.
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.
