Hindi
Grand Masti reaches Rs 64.7 crore; Phata Poster opens poorly with Rs 19.5 crore
Phata Poster Nikhla Hero, starring Shahid Kapoor and Ileana D’Cruz, which had opened to poor response, could not improve much over the weekend. The film has managed to collect Rs 19.5 crore for its opening weekend.
The Lunch Box starring Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur and Nawazuddin Siddiqui has cashed in on all the positive reports and good word of mouth as the figures almost doubled on Saturday and tripled on Sunday over its opening day collections to record an impressive Rs 6.25 crore for its first weekend.
Grand Masti the sequel to the 2004 Masti directed by Indra Kumar did excellent first week business as the masses and the youth took to the film. The film had to depend on domestic collections mainly to cover itself as not much is expected from overseas or satellite. The film has gone onto collect Rs 64.7 crore for the first week.
Horror Story the Vikram Bhatt scripted screamer has collected Rs 4.6 crore in its first week.
John Day starring Naseeruddin Shah, Randeep Hooda, Taran Bajaj and Harsh Chhaya has failed badly.
Shuddh Desi Romance sustained very well; the Sushant Singh Rajput, Parineeti Chopra, Rishi Kapoor and Vaani Kapoor starrer’s two week total is Rs 45.25 crore.
Zanjeer has failed miserably. The film has managed a mere Rs 20 lakh for its second week to take its two week total to Rs 13.95 crore.
Satyagraha the political drama from Prakash Jha has added Rs 1.5 crore in its third week to take its three week tally to Rs 60.1 crore.
Madras Café has collected Rs 75 lakh in its fourth week to take its four week total to Rs 41.4 crore.
Chennai Express has collected Rs 45 lakh in its sixth week thus taking its six week tally to 200.95 crore.
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
