All Astro customers can enjoy more premiering local and international Tamil and Hindi content this Deepavali. Themed “Punnagaiyil Nambikai”, this year’s theme inspires hope and smiles in celebrating the symbolic triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness. All Malaysians can also enjoy Deepavali specials on Astro Ulagam and RAAGA.

Marc Lourdes, Vice President, Indian Channel Business, Astro, said, "We have been on a transformation this past year, with our championing of local content and talents. This Deepavali, we hope to take Malaysian content to new heights, with the highest amount of high-quality, local Deepavali specials that we have ever produced.

"Customers can also stream these compelling choices which include tele-movies, variety shows, series, musicals, and web-dramas anytime via Astro GO or On Demand. Through our offering this festive season, we also thank our customers for their support and we look forward to being part of their Deepavali celebrations."

Premiering local shows on Astro Vaanavil HD (CH 201) this Deepavali include:

• Deepavali Annal Parakkuthu, a cooking show for delectable traditional and modern Indian dishes with Chef Kanchana Devi, Chef Dr. Dinesh and Chef Sheena, featuring popular local talents including Aznil Zawawi, Blake Yap, Denes Kumar, Vimala Perumal, Mugen Rao, national badminton player Kisona Selvaduray, and more;
• Telemovies such as comedy Makkale Chumma Okaarunge directed by K. Kavi Nanthan starring Vinosha Ganasan and Manjula Joseph; magical thriller Aadi directed by Ravindas, starring Yuvaraj and Pashini Sivakumar; and psycho thriller Naran directed by Karthik Shamalan, starring Karnan G Crack, Sasikumar Kandasamy, Pashini Sivakumar and more;
• Malarum Punnagai, an unplugged retro musical show featuring Malaysian artistes including Datin Seri Manimala, M. S. Breetoe, TMS Sivakanthan, Sharmila Sivaguru, Preetha Prasad and Aanantha Rajaram showcasing music from the 50s to the 70s by Indian music icons, A. M. Rajah, P. Susheela, P. B. Sreenivas, P. Banumathi and T. M. Soundararajan (TMS);
• Variety show, MCO Deepavali Kondattam directed by Kavi Nanthan with games and more.

Customers can also enjoy these local Deepavali specials on Astro Vinmeen HD (CH 231):

• Drama series, Maniratnam Vanthaachu directed by Karthik Shamalan starring Kuben Mahadevan, Swarna Naidu and Ben G;
• Variety shows including Vanga Pazhagalam directed by Denes Kumar, featuring popular RAAGA announcers, and local artistes, Magendran Raman @Vikadakavi; “Punnagai Poo” Geeta; Krithigah Nair; Hema Ji and more; Anbukku Naan Adimai directed by Dev Rajah starring Mugen Rao and family; Deepavali Pokkisham, a Deepavali-themed treasure hunt featuring popular local artistes including Moon Nila, Kabil Ganesan, Yasmin Nadiah, Irfan Zaini, Vicran Elanggoven and more; and, food travelogue Rasikka Rusikka Deepavali special.
• Deepavali Angpao LIVE contest hosted by local artiste, Nathiya Jayabalan, where customers stand a chance to win a cash prizes of up to RM6,000 when they call in and answer questions correctly.

Astro customers can also catch premiering local Tamil suspense thriller and murder mystery film, Athigaari on Astro First (CH 480) directed by Kabilan Plondran, starring talented local cast including Bala Ganapathi William, Nanthini Ganasen, Sri Kumaran Munusamy, Kuben Mahadevan and more.

For new international Deepavali shows, customers can watch:

• Action film, Danny starring Varalaxmi Sarathkumar on Astro Thangathirai HD (CH 241);
• Variety show featuring Zee Tamil TV artistes, Kudumbangal Kondadum Kudumbha Viruthukal; and fun game show Singles vs Mingles on Zee Tamil HD (CH 235);
• Comedy show, Comedy Gurus vs Comedy Sishyas; fun variety show, Trending Maamiyar Traditional Marumagal; Bigg Boss Deepavali special celebration with the reality-show contestants; and talk show Sirappu Pattimandram on Star Vijay HD (CH 232);
• World premiere of direct-to-TV crime comedy film, Naanga Romba Busy, which is a remake of the 2020 Kannada film, ‘Mayabazar 2016’, on Sun TV HD (CH 234);
• An elaborate celebration of dance in Street Dancer 3D, starring Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor and Prabhu Deva on BollyOne HD (CH 251);

In addition, all Malaysians can stream six-episode comedy web series premiering on Astro Ulagam, Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya, starring Yuvaraj Krishnasamy, Shabby, Maran (RAAGA) and Mala Amlu.

On the radio front, Malaysians can stream virtual RAAGA concert Raagavin Deepavali Kondattam 2020 on RAAGA’s Facebook featuring popular local artistes.

To make this festive celebration special, RAAGA in collaboration with BABA’s in ‘RAAGA Matrum BABA’S 4 U Vazhanggum Yetho Yenggelaal Mudinthathu’ will also be delivering festive gift packs to 100 needy families nominated on the RAAGA website.

For more information on Astro's Deepavali offerings and more, visit: www.astroulagam.com.my/Deepavali2020