Hindi
Project 11 to release on 11.11.11
MUMBAI: Looks like the makers of High concept thriller Project 11 have got an affinity to the figure ‘11‘.
The film shot in 11 countries will release on 11 November. Made on a shoestring budget of Rs 900,000, the film is probably the first of its kind in short the film genre that bridges a vast geographical divide. It has been shot by 11 directors who collaborated from the world over.
Project 11 blurs the line between the real and the virtual world. The film has been shot in 11 different cities in the world.
Unlike other collaborative films, Project 11 is not an episodic film. It is one holistic story set in 11 cities with 11 principal characters. The film has been made in three cuts a 22-minute, a 15-minute and an 11-minute which are full fledged films in their own rights.
Talking about this unique short film, producer Ranjan Singh has said, “Project 11 is an attempt to show that good content can be created on a shoestring budget. Also, to get appropriate funds for our feature film on the same lines, the short will work as a curtain raiser.
And thus we want to release the film online and gauge the audience reaction for this kind of a story. The film premieres on 11.11.11 on glamsham.com at 11.11 AM and then later we want to put it for download on various other platforms.”
11 filmmakers were shortlisted from across the world, by using every free medium available including every possible social networking portal. They followed a locked screenplay and shot their respective segments based in their cities.
A storyboard was prepared in active consultation with the filmmakers and then sent to the directorial team for reference. The final material was received in Mumbai and then put together by Vikas Chandra with the help of editor Geeta Singh.
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
