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It's all about loving your channel!

It came as no surprise that actors from Zee TV won major awards at the first Gold Awards in Mauritius
Tushar Joshi
tushar.joshi@mid-day.com

The acceptance speeches were shorter, the performances tight and the ensembles dapper. The Gold Awards — the first global television awards show — held in Mauritius over the weekend, was an interesting affair. Here are some of the backstage and on-stage anecdotes worth sharing from the event.
Almost infamous
Even though the organisers (Vikas Kalantri, Pooja Ghai and Anuj Saxena) invited TV actors from all channels and production houses, it was evident soon enough that most preferred to hang around in individual groups. So, the Nach Baliye gang, including Shweta Kawaatra and Manav Gohil, Sharad and Keerti Kelkar, Narayani and Gaurav Chopra, Rajeshwari and Varun Badola, Sai Deodhar and Shakti Anand, partied together strictly. Two couples who stuck to each other and rarely spoke to anyone else were Barkha Bisht and Indraneil and Rajshri Thakur and her husband Sanjyot.
Like every other event, the Gold Awards too suffered minor glitches. Karisma Tanna froze on stage when there was a power failure, but kudos to her for not making a fool of herself and graciously bowing out before resuming her rocking performance. Similarly, Narayani escaped a wardrobe malfunction while struggling to keep her tube top in place during her Maiyya Maiyya number.
Balaji 'boo'gade
Mandira Bedi and Aman Verma did a good job hosting the event. Even though there was buzz that the two don't get along, it didn't come across at the function. There were several digs at Balaji's decision to boycott the event. Mandira spoke of a certain actress who had to seek 'Madam's permission' to attend the function. While receiving his award, Deven Bhojwani remarked, "It's a good change not to hear 'Thank you Ekta, thank you Balaji'!"
Anuj Saxena looked like a caped crusader in his dapper suit, as he personally ensured that the event went along smoothly. And it seems Karisma Tanna and Bappa Lahiri have made it official. The cozy twosome was seen holding hands, chilling out and enjoying long walks on the beach.
Caught unawares
Rajeev Khandelwal made a surprise appearance at the function. We were told he had come to support good friend Anuj Saxena and was unaware of his nomination in the Best Actor category (which he took home).
Best friends Kushal Punjabi and Chetan Hansraj ganged up with Shveta Salve and boyfriend Rodney Barnes and brought the house down with their dancing and impromptu singing sessions. Neena Gupta appeared unhappy over her seating arrangements. The Baa Bahoo Aur Baby gang carried theplas and homemade food and indulged in it on the flight and even poolside!
The only Bollywood presence at the event was in the form of director Mohit Suri and producer Mukesh Bhatt. The two were given front row seats and felicitated with a special award for Vishesh Films.