Hindi
‘Apes’ makes Rs 59 mn in opening weekend
MUMBAI: Despite not having released in multiplexes, Fox Star Studios said its latest film in the Apes saga: Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes has grossed Rs 59 million in its opening weekend.
According to the studio, the James Franco-Freida Pinto visual effects extravaganza has been running to packed houses across India and has received a bumper opening in not just English but all its regional languages: Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
Fox Star Studios India CEO Vijay Singh said, ” Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes is a powerful film with a gripping storyline and splendid performances. The film, in fact, has grossed far more than all the other Bollywood releases that opened along with it.”
The films that released along with the Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes are I AM Kalam, Chala Mussadi Office Office, Aagah-The Warning and Chutanki.
Touted as one of the most entertaining films of this year, Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes has already gathered a lot of Oscar buzz in Hollywood for its spectacular special effects by Oscar winning agency Weta Digital, and Andy Serkis‘ performance as Caesar the ape.
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.
