Hindi
Weak films fall by Dangal-side
The exhibition sector felt some relief with a blockbuster in Dangal after a long gap to help them sustain the cinemas, the vacuum faces them again as the two new movies, OK Jaanu and Haraamkhor, failed to bring in even the initial audience or, for that matter, even the compulsive first day or first weekend viewers.
With the forthcoming week offering no solace in the form of a major release, the cinemas face another dull week of ‘No audience, No show’ till two major films, Kaabil and Raees, fight it out for the playtime at the multiplexes on the eve of the Republic Day. Both release on 25 January.
*OK Jaanu, a remake of the Tamil film, O KadhalKanmani, in Hindi failed to arouse the curiosity depriving it of an initial draw. The film suffered due to its length sans face value, its South flavour and lack of a decent musical score, a mandatory ingredient in any romantic movie.
The film managed an average opening day figures of a little over Rs 3 crore. Friday, 13 January, and Saturday, 14 January, collections remained below par, too, as the film vied for attention on both days when the nation celebrated various festivals in different parts of India.
As these two days managed to pull in just about Rs 7.5 crore. The film managed to collect Rs 11.9 crore for its first weekend, which is on a low side.
*Haraamkhor is another film to go down as ‘No audience No show’ category film.
*Dangal continues to create havoc as well as new records. The film’s three week total reached Rs 359.87 crore, the highest domestic box office collections so far.
The film added another Rs 10.24 crore for its fourth weekend to take its 24-day total to Rs 370.11 crore.
Hindi
Edstead unveils ambitious H1 2026 content slate
New originals feature Adarsh Gourav in Northeast docu-series, Aditi Kotak in Next Class, and Adil Hussain in Stories of India.
MUMBAI: Edstead just dropped a content menu so rich it could make even the pickiest viewer say “encore” because when storytelling meets substance, the binge becomes inevitable. The fast-rising Mumbai-based studio, founded by Shekhar Bhattacharjee, today revealed its H1 2026 slate, a bold expansion of premium non-fiction that blends cultural depth, innovation, and legacy into cinematic factual narratives. The lineup cements Edstead’s niche at the crossroads of authenticity and global appeal, delivering research-driven stories that stay rooted in the Indian experience while aiming for wider resonance.
Headlining the fresh originals:
- An untitled docu-series starring Bollywood actor Adarsh Gourav, who journeys through Northeast India to spotlight living cultural traditions, indigenous voices, music, oral histories, and everyday resilience. Presented by Air India Express, with Dentsu Sports and Entertainment as integration partner.
- Next Class, an eight-episode impact series fronted by entrepreneur and former Miss India Aditi Kotak, decoding career pathways, emerging fields, and real-world outcomes through leading institutions and forward-thinking disciplines.
- Stories of India with Adil Hussain, India’s first weekly OTT series dedicated to social impact, profiling organisations driving meaningful change and connecting purpose with tangible results.
- Toast to Tomorrow, exploring how leading alcohol brands craft immersive, culture-led experiences that celebrate regional identities and redefine legacy.
- No Cap Abroad – UAE Edition, following Indian students through their first week at UAE colleges—navigating homesickness, culture shock, and independence in a heartfelt coming-of-age tale.
Edstead is also returning with expanded seasons of breakout hits, The Future School (progressive Indian education), Molecules of Hope (healthcare innovation), and Great Indian Residential Schools.
Edstead founder Shekhar Bhattacharjee said, “At Edstead, we are focused on building narratives that carry depth, context, and long-term relevance. Every project begins with research and a clear purpose… Our ambition is to create globally competitive factual content from India that remains culturally grounded while shaping conversations, inspiring trust, and contributing to the growing culture economy.”
From education and healthcare to enterprise and cultural revival, the slate reflects Edstead’s full-stack approach developing original IPs and guiding them through a robust distribution network spanning digital, OTT, and broadcast. In a content world chasing quick trends, Edstead is quietly betting on stories built to last, ones that don’t just entertain, but linger long after the credits roll.
