Hindi
Film on Telgi to hit theatres by month-end
NEW DELHI: Perhaps for the first time in living memory, a feature film based on a real-life character is being released after being shown to him following a Court order.
“Mudrank“, the controversial film on the fake stamp paper scam, is expected to be released on 23 May as it was given the green signal by scam kingpin Abdul Karim Telgi in Yerwada (Pune) Jail on 22 April last month. The film was shown to the undertrial after he filed a petition against the filmmakers, though they had already got a U/A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification.
The film’s director Shakir Sheikh told a news conference here that the film has generally stuck to the true story of Telgi, though the name of the central character has been changed to Abdul Rehman Velgi.
Shakir Sheikh, who hails from Pune, has made a couple of films in Marathi and is making his debut in Hindi with ‘Mudrank’. The film stars Kailash Manav in the role of Velgi, and others in the cast include Milind Gunaji, Shahbaz Khan, Raza Murad, Deepak Shirke, Anjan Srivastav, Amita Nangia, Shiva, Aly Khan and Nirmal Pandey.
It also includes Rakhee Sawant, Sambhavna Seth, Aliza Khan and Elena in four item songs. Justifying the songs, Sheikh said research had shown Telgi was fond of visiting dance bars in Mumbai. Seth who was present said though Sawant was a known face, she felt she had performed better as a dancer. The music for the film has been scored by Bappi Lahiri.
Though the film was completed by the mid of last year, it was delayed initially by the CBFC and later because of litigation. The film is being released in Mumbai territory by the producer Bhagwan Saungar himself.
Kailash Manav, a stage actor for almost 17 years, said he was chosen because he resembles Telgi to a large extent, and Sheikh decided to make the film only after meeting Manav. The actor studied the mannerisms of Telgi for some time, and the film was then shot in a period of one month.
Sheikh said he had been able to depict the true story of Telgi because the latter had pleaded guilty in the main cases against him and only some minor cases were pending.
Hindi
Zee5 and Applause Entertainment team up for whodunnit ‘Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa’
Rajat Kapoor directs star-studded murder mystery streaming from 10 April.
MUMBAI: Zee5 is serving up another killer collaboration and this time, the murder mystery comes with a generous side of dark humour and family dysfunction. The streaming platform has partnered with Applause Entertainment and Mithya Talkies to bring Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa, a fresh, twisted whodunnit written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker and actor Rajat Kapoor. The film will stream exclusively on Hindi Zee5 from 10 April.
The movie reimagines the classic murder mystery genre with a contemporary, darkly comic edge. It revolves around a group of friends and family who smile, drink, and celebrate together until the silence snaps and long-buried secrets spill out. The stellar ensemble cast includes Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey, Waluscha De Sousa, Saurabh Shukla, Chandrachoor Rai, Neil Bhoopalam, Koel Purie, Palomi Ghosh, and Rajat Kapoor himself.
This latest offering continues the successful partnership between Zee5 and Applause Entertainment, which has previously delivered diverse hits such as Mithya, Bloody Brothers, and Jab Khuli Kitaab.
&TV Business Head of hindi Zee5 and chief channel officer Kaveri Das said, “Our collaboration with Applause Entertainment has consistently delivered distinct, high-impact storytelling. Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa is a natural progression, reinforcing our focus on genre-led content with a compelling whodunnit premise and a strong ensemble cast.”
Applause Entertainment business head for movies Sunil Chainani added, “This film adds yet another compelling layer to our slate with Rajat Kapoor’s unmistakable voice.”
Rajat Kapoor shared, “What interested me was not just the mechanics of a whodunnit, but the emotional violence that precedes physical violence. These are people who smile at each other, but there’s so much that is not said.”
The film promises razor-sharp writing, layered performances, and simmering tension, inviting viewers not just to solve the crime but to unravel the complex relationships at its heart.
If you love a good murder mystery served with wit and emotional depth, Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa looks set to be your next addictive watch. Mark your calendars, the whodunnit drops on Hindi Zee5 from 10 April.
