GECs
Zee Zest announces ‘Junior Menu’ starting 21 October
Mumbai: Lifestyle channel Zee Zest has announced a new show “Junior Menu” with celebrity chef, food expert and writer Pankaj Bhadouria. The show is scheduled to begin on 21 October, every Thursday to Friday at 1:30 p.m.
“Junior Menu” seeks to address one of the most difficult parts of parenting, especially for working mothers, which is to provide their children with a wholesome diet despite hectic work schedules. It is all set to surprise and tempt kids with unique ideas and a creative take on food, nudging them to explore and try new foods and Bhadouria also highlights the importance of certain fruits and vegetables through the show, said the channel in a statement.
“Under-nutrition and child obesity are pressing issues of our time,” said chef Bhadouria. “Junior Menu promises to offer easy and quick-to-make dishes for kids, that will help them expand their palate and inculcate better eating habits. It will also make mealtimes fun and less agonising for mums.”
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.
