Hindi
Mahesh Bhatt’s ‘Arth’ set for a comeback in a theatrical production
NEW DELHI: The 1982 film Arth, a semi-autobiographical film by director Mahesh Bhatt which got actress Shabana Azmi a National Award for acting, is now being presented for the first time on stage.
The film had changed the face of Indian cinema for the manner in which it looked at the bold subject of extra marital relationships, as also remembered for its mesmerising soundtrack.
After the recent success of his plays The Last Salute and Trial of Errors which also launched his latest protégé Imran Zahid, the duo of Bhatt and Zahid are now pairing up again for the dramatic adaptation of Arth.
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Bhatt feels that Arth was a classic film that raised the issue of gender equality way back in the 80‘s. “The film looked at the issue of women emancipation like no Indian dramatic work ever has. No one has been able to better what Arthhighlighted in the world of movies or in theatre. I think the 21st century India needs to be experience the theme of Arththrough theatre” says the filmmaker.
Arth was way ahead of its time and Bhatt feels that subject will strike a chord even with today‘s generation.
“The issues with regards to our society that were raised in Arth are relevant in even in today‘s times. Theatre has given me an entirely new outlet and after staging two successful plays The Last Salute and Trial of Errors, I took this decision. I think adapting such a piece of art into a theatrical adaptation will not be an easy task but I am ready for this test. I feel this medium has help connecting with audience in all together different way”, he adds.
Delhi-based actor Imran Zahid, who earlier essayed the role of Muntadar Al Zaidi in The Last Salute and of journalist Rehan in Trial of Errors is all geared up for this new assignment.
“Mahesh Bhatt is all set to recreate magic of film Arth in a theatrical play. It‘ll be a big challenge for me to play the lead but I am up for it”, says Imran.
Hindi
Jio Studios, Sanjay Dutt team up to revive Khal Nayak
Rights acquired for new version, format under wraps as remake plans take shape.
MUMBAI: The villain is back and this time, he’s rewriting his own script. Jio Studios has partnered with Three Dimension Motion Pictures and Aspect Entertainment to revive the 1993 cult classic Khal Nayak, marking a fresh chapter for one of Bollywood’s most iconic anti-hero stories. The original film, directed by Subhash Ghai under Mukta Arts, was a commercial and cultural milestone, with Sanjay Dutt’s portrayal of Ballu becoming one of Hindi cinema’s most memorable performances.
Dutt, along with Aksha Kamboj, has now acquired the rights from the original creators, bringing on board Jio Studios and its President Jyoti Deshpande to steer the project creatively.
While the exact format whether remake, sequel, prequel, or a completely new narrative remains undisclosed, the collaboration aims to reinterpret the story for contemporary audiences while retaining the essence that made the original a defining film of the 1990s.
The move taps into a broader industry trend of reviving legacy intellectual property, particularly characters with strong recall value. “Khal Nayak” was notable for pushing mainstream Hindi cinema into morally grey territory at a time when heroes were largely one-dimensional, making Ballu’s character a standout.
The project also marks the film production debut of Aspect Entertainment, signalling a push towards more technology-led storytelling frameworks. Meanwhile, Jio Studios continues to expand its slate, having built a library of over 200 films and series, with more than 60 titles collectively winning 500-plus awards.
For Dutt, the revival is as much personal as it is strategic, a return to a role that reshaped his career. For the industry, it is another sign that nostalgia, when paired with scale, remains a powerful box-office proposition.
Because in Bollywood, some villains never fade, they just wait for the perfect comeback.
