Hindi
Applause Entertainment and Zindagi’s ‘Farar’ takes center stage at DC South Asian Film Festival
Mumbai: Following its stellar success at the Chicago South Asian Film Festival, Applause Entertainment and Zindagi’s drama series, “Farar,” directed by the talented Mehreen Jabbar and featuring stellar cast including Sarwat Gilani, Mariam Saleem & Maha Hasan is poised to extend its international journey by gracing the US East Coast at the upcoming DC South Asian Film Festival. Slated for a screening on 3 December, this series, renowned for its compelling narrative and outstanding performances, continues to enthrall audiences on a global scale. To coincide with its release, Director Mehreen Jabbar and actor Maha Hasan will be present at the Festival on Sunday, 3 December, at 2:30 PM, hosted at the American University School of Communication Doyle-Forman Theater.
Presented by Applause Entertainment, a Zindagi original Farar, a 6-part series, tells the story of three independent women who are navigating the complexities of modern life. The series highlights the universal human experiences of friendship, love, and personal growth, while simultaneously tackling issues such as societal pressures, identity, taboos, and body shaming.
Mehreen Jabbar, acknowledged as one of Pakistan’s foremost directors, expresses her excitement about the series premiering at the DC Film Festival, a city known for its vibrant South Asian community and a festival championing diverse storytelling. She notes, “The anticipation of our series premiering at the DC Film Festival is truly exciting. This dynamic city not only embraces a vibrant South Asian community but also hosts a festival known for championing diverse storytelling. In a time where divisions persist, it’s uplifting to witness the union of two major South Asian nations in the spirit of storytelling at the DC festival.”
The DC South Asian Festival stands out as a highly acclaimed cinematic celebration, held annually in the heart of the United States, Washington D.C. This festival, now in its 12th year, takes pride in showcasing and honoring the finest in alternative cinema from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, and Sri Lanka. Faraar,’ takes center stage as the only web series to be screened in the drama category, that delves into tangled relationships and individual evolution, promising to be a standout moment at the festival.
Talking about this noteworthy milestone, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. CCO (special projects) Shailja Kejriwal said, “From Farar’s successful Chicago debut to its significant move to DCSAFF, it’s indeed been a remarkable journey. The Zindagi and Applause Entertainment partnership reflects our shared dedication to diverse narratives. We’re excited to witness how the audiences embrace our storytelling heritage.”
Hindi
Zee5 and Applause Entertainment team up for whodunnit ‘Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa’
Rajat Kapoor directs star-studded murder mystery streaming from 10 April.
MUMBAI: Zee5 is serving up another killer collaboration and this time, the murder mystery comes with a generous side of dark humour and family dysfunction. The streaming platform has partnered with Applause Entertainment and Mithya Talkies to bring Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa, a fresh, twisted whodunnit written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker and actor Rajat Kapoor. The film will stream exclusively on Hindi Zee5 from 10 April.
The movie reimagines the classic murder mystery genre with a contemporary, darkly comic edge. It revolves around a group of friends and family who smile, drink, and celebrate together until the silence snaps and long-buried secrets spill out. The stellar ensemble cast includes Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey, Waluscha De Sousa, Saurabh Shukla, Chandrachoor Rai, Neil Bhoopalam, Koel Purie, Palomi Ghosh, and Rajat Kapoor himself.
This latest offering continues the successful partnership between Zee5 and Applause Entertainment, which has previously delivered diverse hits such as Mithya, Bloody Brothers, and Jab Khuli Kitaab.
&TV Business Head of hindi Zee5 and chief channel officer Kaveri Das said, “Our collaboration with Applause Entertainment has consistently delivered distinct, high-impact storytelling. Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa is a natural progression, reinforcing our focus on genre-led content with a compelling whodunnit premise and a strong ensemble cast.”
Applause Entertainment business head for movies Sunil Chainani added, “This film adds yet another compelling layer to our slate with Rajat Kapoor’s unmistakable voice.”
Rajat Kapoor shared, “What interested me was not just the mechanics of a whodunnit, but the emotional violence that precedes physical violence. These are people who smile at each other, but there’s so much that is not said.”
The film promises razor-sharp writing, layered performances, and simmering tension, inviting viewers not just to solve the crime but to unravel the complex relationships at its heart.
If you love a good murder mystery served with wit and emotional depth, Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa looks set to be your next addictive watch. Mark your calendars, the whodunnit drops on Hindi Zee5 from 10 April.
