GECs
Star India announces third edition of Star Writers Program 2019
MUMBAI: As the nation’s storyteller, Star India is driven by its purpose of stimulating change through its stories. As part of its continuing mission to bring ever new and innovative stories for millions of its viewers, Star has announced the third edition of its bespoke Star Writers Program, #TheWriteMove, which represents a unique and perhaps most significant opportunity in India for aspiring writers alike to make a career in creative writing for television. They will be trained and nurtured to become the future storytellers for television in India by some of the best experts, under the aegis of Star India, the nation’s top content innovator for 25 years now.
Gaurav Banerjee, President, and Head – Hindi GEC at Star India, said, “Writing is at the heart of great television, which, to take the next big leap, needs the best set of potentially great writers. However, there exists an immense training gap in India, and hence the Star Writers Program is our attempt to identify the next set of truly talented writers and arm them with the art and craft of television screenwriting. There was no institute teaching television screen-writing when we started this program two years ago in India, and we are happy that our program has given writers a formal path into establishing themselves in television.”
Star Writers Program is a seven-month, full-time course and internship in television screenwriting, and open to both -aspiring and experienced writers. The shortlisted candidates, selected after a rigorous selection program, will undergo training and an internship and will receive a monthly stipend throughout the course. Successful completion of the program will be followed by a two-year writing contract with Star. Over the past two years, alumni writers from the Star Writers Program have been part of the writers’ rooms for shows like Kaal Bhairav, Nimki Mukhiya and Nazar from the Star Network.
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.
