Hindi
A dark week for ‘Citylights’ at BO
MUMBAI: This was a bad week for the exhibitors, especially with multiplexes having more than one screen to fill. Remake of Manila Metro, Citylights, a gross injustice to a Charles Chaplin’s film title, turns out to be a pretentious film with little to do with the life of migrants in Mumbai. A purportedly black film that is aimed at awards, proves to be poor at box office. It collects a meagre Rs 3.25 crore, despite the actor director pair winning the National Awards last year; another reminder that the National Awards mean nothing to the ticket buying audience.
A colloquially titled Delhi flavoured film, Kuku Mathur Ki Jhand Ho Gayi faces the same fate as its title, whatever it means. Film ‘thand’ ho gayi! The collections with the figures of Rs 1.55 crore for the opening weekend take it nowhere.
Tiger Shroff has always been in media despite not being in films, thanks to his father, Jackie Shroff’s goodwill. Also thanks to this goodwill, the film with average content and shoddy handling, Tiger’s debut film, Heropanti, not only takes a healthy weekend but also goes on to take a respectable first week of Rs 35.9 crore. The film has continued to do well into its second weekend as well.
Kochadaiiyan has managed to collect just about Rs 1.65 crore in its first week.
The Xpose has added Rs 50 lakh in its second week to take its total to Rs 12.85 crore. Hawaa Hawaai has added Rs 55 lakh in its third week to take its three week total to Rs 8.5 crore.
2 States has added Rs 80 lakh in its sixth week to take its six week total to Rs 103.75 crore.
Hindi
Edstead unveils ambitious H1 2026 content slate
New originals feature Adarsh Gourav in Northeast docu-series, Aditi Kotak in Next Class, and Adil Hussain in Stories of India.
MUMBAI: Edstead just dropped a content menu so rich it could make even the pickiest viewer say “encore” because when storytelling meets substance, the binge becomes inevitable. The fast-rising Mumbai-based studio, founded by Shekhar Bhattacharjee, today revealed its H1 2026 slate, a bold expansion of premium non-fiction that blends cultural depth, innovation, and legacy into cinematic factual narratives. The lineup cements Edstead’s niche at the crossroads of authenticity and global appeal, delivering research-driven stories that stay rooted in the Indian experience while aiming for wider resonance.
Headlining the fresh originals:
- An untitled docu-series starring Bollywood actor Adarsh Gourav, who journeys through Northeast India to spotlight living cultural traditions, indigenous voices, music, oral histories, and everyday resilience. Presented by Air India Express, with Dentsu Sports and Entertainment as integration partner.
- Next Class, an eight-episode impact series fronted by entrepreneur and former Miss India Aditi Kotak, decoding career pathways, emerging fields, and real-world outcomes through leading institutions and forward-thinking disciplines.
- Stories of India with Adil Hussain, India’s first weekly OTT series dedicated to social impact, profiling organisations driving meaningful change and connecting purpose with tangible results.
- Toast to Tomorrow, exploring how leading alcohol brands craft immersive, culture-led experiences that celebrate regional identities and redefine legacy.
- No Cap Abroad – UAE Edition, following Indian students through their first week at UAE colleges—navigating homesickness, culture shock, and independence in a heartfelt coming-of-age tale.
Edstead is also returning with expanded seasons of breakout hits, The Future School (progressive Indian education), Molecules of Hope (healthcare innovation), and Great Indian Residential Schools.
Edstead founder Shekhar Bhattacharjee said, “At Edstead, we are focused on building narratives that carry depth, context, and long-term relevance. Every project begins with research and a clear purpose… Our ambition is to create globally competitive factual content from India that remains culturally grounded while shaping conversations, inspiring trust, and contributing to the growing culture economy.”
From education and healthcare to enterprise and cultural revival, the slate reflects Edstead’s full-stack approach developing original IPs and guiding them through a robust distribution network spanning digital, OTT, and broadcast. In a content world chasing quick trends, Edstead is quietly betting on stories built to last, ones that don’t just entertain, but linger long after the credits roll.
