Hindi
UTV makes documentary on Chandrayaan 1 mission
MUMBAI: UTV has made an half-hour documentary on the Chandrayaan-1 mission for the XP Division of Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
With the successful launch of Chandrayaan-1 mission on 22 October, 2008, India became a coveted member of the Space Club. It was a first in many ways for the Indian Space Programme, when an indigenous spacecraft was launched beyond the earth‘s orbit.
The Chandrayaan documentary celebrates this successful venture. It will be sent to opinion leaders, NGOs, High Commissions and Embassies across the globe to promote India‘s space capabilities.
Showcasing the Chandrayaan-1 mission, the film encapsulates its various facets starting from the idea being mooted for the moon mission to the objectives of the mission and the scientific marvel that the project is.
Shot extensively at the ISRO establishments, it is one of the rare and exclusive insights which the UTV team has gathered on the entire Chandrayaan-1 mission. Beyond this, the film also talks about the ground facilities of the mission wherein the information being sent by the spacecraft are being collected and collated for an in-depth analysis of the moon, not only in India, but across the global scientific community.
The film also features the top scientists associated with the project including
G Madhvan Nair, former Chairman-ISRO, G Kasturirangan, former Chairman-ISRO and other key members of the mission, sharing their apprehensions, journey and the excitement of the successful project. Former president APJ Abdul Kalam also shares his views on the Chandrayaan-1 mission.
Said Rahul Bhatia, Vice President, dubbing and North TV, UTV Television, “It is an honour for us to be associated with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and a delight to be a part of the Chandrayaan mission.”
The film also talks about what led to aborting the mission in August 2009, almost a year before its schedule.
The path-breaking finding that evolved from the detailed analysis of the data obtained from M3, carried out by a joint team of scientists from US and India, was the most significant of them.
The film finally talks about the next phase of the Chandrayaan Mission and the future of Indian Space exploration.
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
