Hindi
“Bastar – The Naxal Story” premieres on &pictures this weekend
Mumbai: Prepare to embark on a journey of resilience, bravery, and unwavering patriotism as ‘Bastar – The Naxal Story’ premieres on &pictures on Saturday, 23 November, at 9:30 PM. Directed by Sudipto Sen and featuring Adah Sharma in a compelling lead role, the film sheds light on one of India’s most critical yet underexplored battles against the Naxal insurgency.
Set in the Bastar region, the gripping narrative follows a young tribal woman and an IPS officer, portrayed by Adah Sharma, as they combat the growing influence of radical ideologies and external interference. The story highlights the exploitation of local communities and the struggle to preserve India’s sovereignty, making it a tale of national pride and unity.
Sen shared his vision behind the film, stating, “This film isn’t just about conflict; it’s about the spirit of India’s people who rise to protect their nation, no matter the odds. Bastar – The Naxal Story is a tribute to every brave soul fighting for the nation’s integrity, and with its premiere on &pictures, I believe it will awaken a deep sense of pride and patriotism in every viewer.”
Sharma reflected on her role, saying, ‘“Playing a part in this story has been a humbling experience. Bastar – The Naxal Story is a reminder of the sacrifices made by our jawans for the country we call home. I hope the premiere on &pictures inspires the audiences to think about the value of freedom and the lengths our bravehearts go to protect it.”
Hindi
Jio Studios, Sanjay Dutt team up to revive Khal Nayak
Rights acquired for new version, format under wraps as remake plans take shape.
MUMBAI: The villain is back and this time, he’s rewriting his own script. Jio Studios has partnered with Three Dimension Motion Pictures and Aspect Entertainment to revive the 1993 cult classic Khal Nayak, marking a fresh chapter for one of Bollywood’s most iconic anti-hero stories. The original film, directed by Subhash Ghai under Mukta Arts, was a commercial and cultural milestone, with Sanjay Dutt’s portrayal of Ballu becoming one of Hindi cinema’s most memorable performances.
Dutt, along with Aksha Kamboj, has now acquired the rights from the original creators, bringing on board Jio Studios and its President Jyoti Deshpande to steer the project creatively.
While the exact format whether remake, sequel, prequel, or a completely new narrative remains undisclosed, the collaboration aims to reinterpret the story for contemporary audiences while retaining the essence that made the original a defining film of the 1990s.
The move taps into a broader industry trend of reviving legacy intellectual property, particularly characters with strong recall value. “Khal Nayak” was notable for pushing mainstream Hindi cinema into morally grey territory at a time when heroes were largely one-dimensional, making Ballu’s character a standout.
The project also marks the film production debut of Aspect Entertainment, signalling a push towards more technology-led storytelling frameworks. Meanwhile, Jio Studios continues to expand its slate, having built a library of over 200 films and series, with more than 60 titles collectively winning 500-plus awards.
For Dutt, the revival is as much personal as it is strategic, a return to a role that reshaped his career. For the industry, it is another sign that nostalgia, when paired with scale, remains a powerful box-office proposition.
Because in Bollywood, some villains never fade, they just wait for the perfect comeback.
