Hindi
Are multiple composers ‘Welcome’?
MUMBAI: The complexion of film music has been undergoing a sea change. The once solitary job of scoring music is now a collaborative effort. Though this trend was noticed quite some time ago, it continues even now. A multi star cast film just does not mean an impressive line-up of stars but also multiple composers and lyricists.
The late eighties and nineties saw the emergence of this trend. It continues even today. With the release of Welcome, the Anees Bazmee film audiences will once again be treated to music by multi-composers. Himesh Reshamiya, Sajid-Wajid and Anand Raj Anand will share the credits.
In the late nineties when the trend was catching on, the much-in-demand Bappi Lahiri decided to take a sabbatical. He went on record to say that he was confused with the goings-on and hence would be going on a break. Though of course some time later Bappi did concede to compose a few songs in films which had other composers.
Even composers Anand–Milind were disturbed with this trend and felt that they lost out to a lot of work on account of this.
With the soundtrack of multi-starrer Welcome officially out in the market, the fact that there as many as three heavyweight music composers credited has not gone unnoticed.
According to the director of Welcome, Aneez Bazmee, Himesh Reshammiya was the original choice especially after he delivered a hit score for the producer Firoz Nadiadwala‘s earlier film, Phir Hera Pheri.
But as Himesh could not give the film sufficient attention because of his acting committments, the producer and director mutually decided to rope in Anand Raj Anand (Shootout At Lokhandwala) and Sajid-Wajid (Partner) to score the remaining tracks.
Himesh confirms, “All‘s well. Firoz bhai, Aneez bhai and the other composers are friends and we‘re all perfectly fine with the arrangement.”
Welcome, starring Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Paresh Rawal, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Feroz Khan & Mallika Sherawat, releases on 20 December.
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.
