GECs
Zoom appoints Sunil Sahjwani as chief creative & programming officer
MUMBAI: Lifestyle and glamour channel Zoom’s latest appointment is in keeping with the new initiatives planned for the next quarter. Sunil Sahjwani has been roped in as chief creative and programming officer for Zoom. The programming, production and on air promos (OAP) teams at Zoom will now report in to him.
With this, Sahjwani will be moving from his current corporate role as chief creative consultant for Bennett & Coleman Co Ltd., ( BCCL) and takes charge of all creative and programming responsibilities at Zoom.
Commenting on the appointment, Zoom CEO Suresh Bala said, “As Zoom prepares to meet the challenges of becoming a high impact channel, it needs a new dimension of creative leadership to rejuvenate its growth engines and take it to the next level. I believe Sunil Sahjwani, with his experience and expertise is the best person for this role.”
Sahjwani says, “I am indeed very happy to take up this assignment. Zoom is at a very dynamic stage currently and I think it will be very challenging and exciting to take it forward from here. Zoom has created a unique position for itself in the television space. I’m confident that Zoom will touch even greater heights of success in the days to come.”
With over 27 years in the areas of advertising, film, radio and television, Sahjwani has worked on several international productions which include shows for BBC’s Channel 4 and CNN.
Amongst others, he has directed the immensely popular BPL Oye for Channel [V], for which he has won the RAPA, Lions and Screen awards. Sahjwani has also worked with ETC Networks as director of programming as well as VP Creative for Reliance Entertainment. Prior to joining BCCL, Sahjwani was the CEO of the Percept Picture Company.
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.
