GECs
Zeel seeks shareholder approval to acquire media business of DMCL
MUMBAI: A few months post Zee Media’s amalgamation with Essel Publishers that brought the English newspaper DNA under Zee Media, its sister company Zee Entertainment (ZEEL) has called for a meeting of its shareholders to approve the scheme of arrangement with Diligent Media Corporation’s (DMCL) media business undertaking (MBU).
The notice to shareholders says that the MBU conducts various events on women empowerment, education, automobiles and real estate. It also consists of a non-news TV channel licence and certain registered intellectual properties for TV formats of various gaming-based shows.
The court convened meeting shall be held on 4 June. The scheme looks at the demerger of the MBU from DMCL and then vesting it with ZEEL. Equity shareholders of DMCL will be given preference shares by ZEEL in the ratio of one preference share of Re 1 of ZEEL for every four equity shares of Rs 10 each held in DMCL. The company says that 2,22,73,886 preference shares shall be issued in all.
Through this business, ZEEL is planning to give an impetus to its event management capabilities. Planned are events and game shows.
The scheme, post approval by shareholders, is subject to the approvals of the central government and the Bombay High Court. All statutory licences, permissions, approvals or consents relating to, vested with and/or held by DMCL will be with ZEEL. All DMCL employees will then be considered as ZEEL employees.
DMCL was formed in 2005 with a 50:50 JV between Essel Group and Dainik Bhaskar Corp (DB). In 2012, Essel Group bought out DB’s 50 per cent stake.
The entire DMCL is now under the two arms of Essel – Zee Media with DNA and Zee Entertainment with the MBU.
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.
