GECs
Zindagi’s second original show ‘Aadhe Adhoore’ to mark Ajai Sinha’s comeback on TV
MUMBAI: Producer Ajai Sinha, who is known for landmark fiction series on Indian television like Hasratein, Justajoo, and Astitva – Ek Prem Kahani is all set to make a comeback on television after a span of four years. And this time round, Sinha’s production house Ananda Films has readied a fiction series titled Aadhe Adhoore for Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd’s (Zeel) Hindi entertainment channel Zindagi.
Aadhe Adhoore will be Zindagi’s second home grown fiction series, which is all set to go on air from 14 December. The show will be aired from Monday to Saturday at 9.50 pm. It may be recalled that the channel recently launched its first original fiction show Bhaage Re Mann on 30 November.
Zindagi has roped in India’s Basmati Rice as the co-powered by sponsor and also is eyeing more brand associations for the show.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com about the show, Zindagi & Zee Anmol cluster head Priyanka Datta says, “Aadhe Adhoore is a story set in Kapurthala of Jassi, who is a perfect Bahu, neighbour and daughter-in-law. The story highlights her caring nature and her willingness to do things. It’s a beautiful emotion that we are trying to touch upon. We are neither trying to be judgmental nor impose any views on the audience.”
With two back to back original fiction show launches in a couple of weeks, Datta throws light on the channel’s programming strategy saying, “The channel’s strategy has been very clear from the beginning. Zindagi aims to bring the best of content, storylines and dialogues for viewers.”
Further elaborating on the same, she adds, “Everything that we telecast on Zindagi is original content. Initially we got shows from Pakistan but it was original for the Indian audiences. Then we went ahead and brought a show from Turkey, which is again new for the audience here. Similarly, we brought these two new shows and also produced Shukriya in the past. Moving forward, this will continue to be our strategy. Our aim is to be the window to provide the best of entertainment anywhere and everywhere across the globe. So be it India, Pakistan, Turkey or any other country, we will continue to bring good stories to our viewers.”
Following the trend of unconventional timing of the show, she informs, “When Zindagi launched, we had shows in the 8 pm and 8.55 pm time slot. So we always had timings that may not necessarily be a clock hour therefore that is what we continue to do even now.”
Aadhe Adhoore will be a finite series, which will run for four months. The channel has a substantial bank of episodes as the style of working and shooting is different for the finite show. Almost 40-45 per cent of the show has been canned before it goes on air.
Zindagi will ready a 360 degree marketing campaign to promote the show across platforms. “We are using television, radio and outdoor platforms for our promotional activities,” she informs.
On his return to television, Sinha says, “I’ve always tried to push the envelope when it comes to content and presented stories that stand out. Making a show for a channel that is differentiated from regular GECs and has got critical acclaim for its content like Zindagi has been a challenge for me. We wanted to create a show that brought out the essence of the modern Indian woman – the real woman who we see around us. The casting, screenplay, locations and original soundtrack will be of a quality that will surely set it apart from what’s seen on television today. I hope audiences will love the story and its characters like they have in all my earlier shows.”
Sinha’s last show was Kesariya Balam Aavo Hamare Des, which aired on Sahara One from 2009 – 2011.
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.
