GECs
ZEEL promoters pledge 10.71% shareholding with Russia’s VTB Capital
MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprise Ltd’s (ZEEL) promoter Essel Group pledged 10.71 per cent shareholding in the media company with Russia’s VTB Capital Plc.
According to a disclosure made by VTB Capital to the stock exchanges, the encumbrance on 10.2 crore shares of Zee owned by Essel Media Ventures Ltd was created pursuant to a loan agreement executed on 4 September 2017.
As per Sebi’s new rules related to pledging which came into effect on 1 October, disclosure of detailed reasons for encumbrance if the shares pledged equal or exceed 50 per cent of the total promoter holding (including shares owned by persons acting in concert) or 20 per cent of the total share capital of the company is needed.
As of 30 June 2019, the promoters were holding about 35.79 per cent of the company. Subhash Chandra-led Essel Group has been working to sell assets due to high debt crisis. Essel Group agreed to sell up to 11 per cent stake for Rs 4,224 crore in Zee to Invesco Oppenheimer to repay lenders back in August.
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.
