Hindi
Bihar-centric film finds no distributor in State
MUMBAI: Antardwand, a film based on a real-life incident of forced marriage
directed by Ad film cinematographer-turned-filmmaker Sushil Rajpal, is being released nationwide on 27 August with 125 prints by PVR.
The film, however, is yet to get a distributor in Bihar since PVR does not have a presence there.
Antardwand has already bagged the 55th National award for best film for social cause and best actress award at MAMI. “Only because it bagged a National award last year, PVR stepped in. It is more important that such social-based films get a theatrical release. People should know what is happening around them. The idea is not to concentrate on its commercial success,” says Rajpal.
The film is based on a real incident to which he was a witness to. Talking on the story, the director avers, “Antardwand touhes the sensitive subject of groom abduction or ‘pakrauah shaddi‘, so rampant in Bihar and Eastern UP. My film is a peep into the reality that is happening in the interiors.”
“Kidnapping grooms and forcing them into marriage is rampant in Bihar. Last year alone, over 1,000 such cases were registered. One of my friends was also a victim. So when I decided to make a film, this subject instantly struck me,” he reveals.
Hindi
Kayhan Entertainment shifts focus to original IP creation
New studio founded by VFX veterans aims to build globally scalable Indian stories.
MUMBAI: India’s VFX talent has long helped Hollywood create blockbusters now a new studio wants to write the stories as well as the special effects. Kayhan Entertainment Private Limited is entering its next phase of growth as a next-generation storytelling studio focused on creating original intellectual property for global audiences. Founded by Dalbir Singh and Arushi Govil, the studio blends strong storytelling with world-class VFX and CGI across films, television, advertising and digital platforms.
While India has established itself as a global hub for VFX and animation services, Kayhan is making a strategic shift from pure execution to IP ownership. The studio aims to move beyond project-based work and develop culturally rooted content designed to travel internationally, while remaining open to strategic collaborations.
Dalbir Singh, with over 15 years of experience in VFX and filmmaking, has contributed to major global productions including Avengers: Endgame, Zack Snyder’s Justice League and Venom. He leads creative direction at Kayhan. Arushi Govil brings deep production expertise from leading studios such as MPC, Framestore and DNEG, having worked on Tenet, Mission: Impossible – Fallout and Brahmastra.
A key milestone for the studio was the launch of its first IP, Chote Tara Ka Bada Gadar, on Kids Zee in 2025. Kayhan is now expanding its slate with FAB 5, an original animated series that combines action, humour and emotional storytelling while promoting teamwork, courage and kindness. The fast-paced episodic format is positioned for long-term franchise potential across platforms.
Dalbir Singh, Co-Founder, said the studio’s primary focus is building an IP-led creative enterprise, while remaining open to the right collaborations. Arushi Govil, Co-Founder, added: “As we scale, our focus is on building the right mix of talent and capability… At Kayhan, we are investing in people as much as we are in IP, bringing together global experience and emerging creators to build stories that can compete at an international level.”
Looking ahead, Kayhan plans to evolve into a broader IP-led ecosystem spanning media, consumer products, education, talent development and immersive experiences such as AR and VR. The studio also intends to establish an IP incubator and develop transmedia storytelling formats.
From blockbuster VFX credits to building its own story universe, Kayhan Entertainment is stepping into the spotlight with a clear ambition, to create Indian IP that doesn’t just shine on screen, it travels the world.
