Hindi
Fox Star Studios inks co-production deal with Ramesh Sippy
MUMBAI: After tasting success with My Name Is Khan, Fox Star Studios India (FSSI) has announced its next project, Dum Maaro Dum, that it is going to co-produce with Ramesh Sippy Entertainment.
The film‘s title is supposedly derived from a popular song of the same name from Dev Anand’s highly successful film Hare Rama Hare Krishna.
Produced by Ramesh Sippy, the film is being directed by his son Rohan.
While the budget of the film has not been disclosed, it is said that the film will star Abhishek Bachchan along with Bipasha Basu.
Dum, a thriller set in the drug underworld of Goa, will feature music by composer Pritam. The project marks the second time RSE has pacted with a Hollywood studio, following the banner‘s 2009 co-production “Chandni Chowk To China” with Warner Bros India, which was a commercial and critical failure.
Says FSSI CEO Vijay Singh, “It‘s an amazing script that we are all very excited about. It‘s going to be a film to watch out for in 2010.”
Adds Fox International Production head Sanford Panitch, “By teaming with My Name is Khan, we demonstrated our commitment to filmmaking in this region and our capabilities as a serious production entity in India. We are quite selective about the films and filmmakers that we partner with and we are extremely proud of our association with Rohan and Abhishek, which further reflects our ongoing commitment to partner with the best talent in the local market.”
Hindi
Shekhar Suman opens acting academy in Mumbai
The veteran actor-presenter launches SSFA, promising immersive, mentorship-led training for aspiring actors and storytellers
Mumbai: Forty years in front of the camera, and Shekhar Suman still isn’t done. The actor, host, writer and director, one of Indian entertainment’s most restless polymaths, is now training his sights on the next generation, launching the Shekhar Suman Film Academy (SSFA) in Mumbai on 22nd April 2026. Registrations for the inaugural batch are already open.
SSFA pitches itself squarely against formula-driven acting schools, leading with an intensive three-month programme that Suman says he personally designed and will largely conduct himself. The curriculum blends voice and speech work, emotional access, body awareness and camera technique with the Linklater Voice Method, film language and on-set discipline, and rounds off with a student film, giving trainees their first taste of a real set.
Masterclasses with actors, casting directors and filmmakers sit alongside the core course. The academy is conceived as a platform that will eventually sprawl into screenwriting, direction, cinematography, music production and post-production: a full creative ecosystem rather than a single acting school.
“For me, this academy is not just an institution. It is a very personal way of giving back to the craft that has given me everything,” said Suman. “Over the years, acting has taught me discipline, imagination, resilience, and the importance of truth in performance. Through this academy, I hope to create something that goes beyond training and becomes a true creative journey for every student who walks in.”
Behind the scenes, the academy is backed by GBM Studios. Dharmesh Sangani, founder and visionary, is the driving force, bringing what the academy describes as “a focused approach to creating meaningful opportunities within the industry.” Adhyayan Suman, founder and director and Shekhar’s son, adds a performer’s perspective honed across acting, music and direction. Ekant Babani, partner and chief operating officer, handles strategy and operations.
Entry is deliberately low-barrier. No prior training is needed: applicants sit a basic self-audition test, shifting the focus firmly to potential rather than polish. The academy says it aims to stay accessible while delivering a premium, hands-on experience.
In a country where acting schools multiply almost as fast as OTT platforms, Suman’s personal stamp and his willingness to stand in the room and teach may be the sharpest edge SSFA has. For those ready to test that promise, the curtain is already up. Apply at shekharsumanfilmacademy.com
