Hindi
WWI alumni’s film to represent India at MPA CICE film workshop
MUMBAI: Further to Motion Picture Distributors Association India (MPDA) entering into a pact with Whistling Woods International (WWI) in August last year to identify a promising new filmmaker to attend the MPA CICE Film Workshop, WWI alumni Aarambh Singh‘s film Rosebed has been selected to represent India at the workshop by a jury comprising elite film makers.
The MPA CICE Film Workshop, presented by the Motion Picture Association (MPA) Asia Pacific and the China International Copyright Expo (CICE), provided a master class on a range of contemporary topics on filmmaking. The workshop also endeavoured to provide an opportunity for filmmakers to develop their careers, build networks and potentially collaborate on new projects.
Singh said, “I wouldn‘t have received a better award than to learn in person from the eminent filmmakers at MPA CICE Film workshop. I thank MPA for this opportunity and also Sony to sponsor my trip to make this possible. It was my first International exposure and I am grateful to my Institute Whistling Woods International, whose focus is on preparing us for national as well as international platform by bringing Masters from across the border to train us. I am glad that finally all our hard work has resulted in wonderful opportunity.”
Rosebed, a Meeta Vasisht starrer, revolves around an Opera singer, a single lady in her late 30s and her ongoing battle with her bed which is a constant reminder of her isolated single self.
WWI president Meghna Ghai Puri said, “I am delighted and happy for Aarambh. He has been given an excellent opportunity and a talented film maker like himself absolutely deserves it.”
MPDA managing director Uday Singh said, “MPDA- India will continue to create similar opportunities for emerging talent in India. A platform like the MPA- CICE Film workshop gives deserving talent the much needed exposure on screenwriting, filmmaking, film marketing and film distribution. We are very glad to have associated with Whistling Woods International in taking forward this initiative.”
CICE is the premier international copyright industry forum and trade show in China, held annually since 2008. Next year, the Expo will focus on the promotion and protection of film and television content. The MPA Asia Pacific has hosted film workshops since 2006, providing stepping-stones for emerging filmmakers to develop their careers.
Hindi
Jio Studios, Sanjay Dutt team up to revive Khal Nayak
Rights acquired for new version, format under wraps as remake plans take shape.
MUMBAI: The villain is back and this time, he’s rewriting his own script. Jio Studios has partnered with Three Dimension Motion Pictures and Aspect Entertainment to revive the 1993 cult classic Khal Nayak, marking a fresh chapter for one of Bollywood’s most iconic anti-hero stories. The original film, directed by Subhash Ghai under Mukta Arts, was a commercial and cultural milestone, with Sanjay Dutt’s portrayal of Ballu becoming one of Hindi cinema’s most memorable performances.
Dutt, along with Aksha Kamboj, has now acquired the rights from the original creators, bringing on board Jio Studios and its President Jyoti Deshpande to steer the project creatively.
While the exact format whether remake, sequel, prequel, or a completely new narrative remains undisclosed, the collaboration aims to reinterpret the story for contemporary audiences while retaining the essence that made the original a defining film of the 1990s.
The move taps into a broader industry trend of reviving legacy intellectual property, particularly characters with strong recall value. “Khal Nayak” was notable for pushing mainstream Hindi cinema into morally grey territory at a time when heroes were largely one-dimensional, making Ballu’s character a standout.
The project also marks the film production debut of Aspect Entertainment, signalling a push towards more technology-led storytelling frameworks. Meanwhile, Jio Studios continues to expand its slate, having built a library of over 200 films and series, with more than 60 titles collectively winning 500-plus awards.
For Dutt, the revival is as much personal as it is strategic, a return to a role that reshaped his career. For the industry, it is another sign that nostalgia, when paired with scale, remains a powerful box-office proposition.
Because in Bollywood, some villains never fade, they just wait for the perfect comeback.
