GECs
Zee TV UK bags Sahara Manoranjan’s Sridevi sitcom
MUMBAI: Although the shows is yet to dazzle on the home ground, looks like its has created some curiosity overseas. Zee UK has bagged rights for the Sridevi sitcom Malini Iyer from Sahara Manoranjan.
Subhash Chandra promoted entertainment channel’s UK arm will debut the series on Sunday 5 September at 8:30 pm.
According to media reports, the channel will be scrapping its Sunday night movie band, to make way for the sitcom starring former Bollywood star Sridevi.
On the home ground, the show, produced by Bollywood producer Boney Kapoor, launched on Sahara Manoranjan on19 January 2004 at 9 pm. It was touted as a comedy with an emotional undercurrent complete with the Sahara brand of opulence. The biweekly marked the television debut of Superstar Sridevi, who was back in the limelight after a six-year hiatus.
The show threw up the best ratings enjoyed in the first week of telecast for the channel. But despite a good start, the show failed to sustain the viewers interest. Albeit after that the rumours did round that channel was making some serious change in the protagonist’s character’s graph.
When contacted, both the Sahara and the Zee officials refused to comment. But apparently, it is common known fact that Sahara sells the telecast rights of its shows and events to the channels abroad on hourly fee basis as it does not have an international feed as yet.
With debut of Malini Iyer, Zee TV UK’s Sunday night’s will sport a new schedule that includes news bulletin Zee News at 7 pm, Indias Best- Cinestars Ki Khoj at 7:30 pm, Malini Iyer at 8:30 pm, Clay Oven Antakshari at 9:30 pm, a new family drama Pancham Omnibus at 10:15 pm and Zee News at 11:30 pm.
Will Sridevi’s charm on small screen work for Zee TV UK? Guess time will tell….
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.
