Hindi
Govt spends Rs 261 mn on film festivals between 2007-2010
NEW DELHI: The Government spent a total of Rs 261.1 million towards holding various international, national, Indian Panorama, children’s and documentary film festivals.
Of this, the Directorate of Film Festivals incurred Rs 195.4 million between 2007-08 and November 2010 towards organising various film festivals, selecting films for Indian Panorama, the International Film Festival of India, and conducting the National Film Awards.
This expenditure was incurred under the Plan Schemes titled Export Promotion through Film Festivals and Non-Plan heads titled National Award for Films and Film Festivals under Cultural Exchange.
In addition, the Children’s Film Society, India, incurred expenditure of Rs 33.1 million from 2007 until November 2010 for the International Children’s Film Festival and state-level children film festivals.
The Films Division spent Rs 32.6 million between 2007 and November 2010 on the Mumbai International Film Festival held in February 2008 and February 2010 and on state-level festivals of documentary films.
A total of just over 35 festivals including IFFI and retrospectives or country-based festivals were organised by the Directorate of Film Festival between 2007-08 and 2 December 2010.
The CFSI held 21 district-level children film festivals besides the ICFF held in 2007 and 2009.
Following a case in 2005, the process of the National Film Awards was held up and therefore two award functions were held in the calendar years 2009 and 2010. A total of six cases were filed in various courts with regard to the National Film Awards or Indian Panorama in 2009-10. One relating to digital films was withdrawn while another relating to Indian Panorama 2009 was disposed of. The other four are pending and, therefore, sub-judice.
Hindi
ZEE5, Applause announce new film Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa
Rajat Kapoor’s dark comedy thriller to stream on ZEE5 from April 10
MUMBAI: ZEE5 and Applause Entertainment have announced their next direct-to-digital collaboration, Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa, a darkly comic whodunnit set to stream from April 10.
Produced in association with Mithya Talkies and written and directed by Rajat Kapoor, the film marks the latest addition to a growing slate of genre-diverse titles from the two partners. Their previous collaborations include dramas, psychological thrillers and dark comedies, with this outing leaning into a layered murder mystery.
The film features an ensemble cast including Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey, Waluscha De Sousa and Saurabh Shukla, among others. The narrative promises a mix of satire, strained relationships and hidden tensions, inviting viewers to look beyond the crime to the dynamics that lead up to it.
ZEE5 business head hindi and chief channel officer Andtv Kaveri Das said, “Our collaboration with Applause Entertainment has been instrumental in building a strong slate with titles such as Bloody Brothers, Mithya and Jab Khuli Kitaab. Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa is a natural progression, aligning with our focus on genre-led content that resonates with audiences.”
Applause Entertainment business head movies Sunil Chainani said, “This collaboration with ZEE5 continues to stand out for its diversity of genres and narrative styles. Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa adds a sharp, darkly comic whodunnit to that mix, driven by Rajat Kapoor’s distinct voice.”
Sharing his creative approach, Rajat Kapoor said he was drawn to the emotional layers behind the genre. “I was interested not just in the mechanics of a whodunnit, but the emotional violence that precedes physical violence. These are people who appear close, yet carry unspoken tensions that eventually surface.”
The partnership between ZEE5 and Applause continues to build on a shared focus on distinctive storytelling, with each project exploring a different tone and genre.
With its mix of humour, tension and ensemble storytelling, the film aims to offer more than just a mystery. It promises a closer look at the secrets people keep, and the consequences when they finally come to light.
