Hindi
‘Bombay Velvet’ collects Rs 15.8 crore in opening weekend; ‘Piku’ picks up
MUMBAI: Bombay Velvet has turned out to be the disaster it was predicted to be. From casting Ranbir Kapoor as a Tommy gun totting criminal to the way the film’s promotion was handled, especially the publicity material, went against it. From the film’s posters to promos, nothing inspired viewer confidence or curiosity.
The film’s opening weekend collections are a terribly poor at Rs 15.8 crore. Kapoor has his fan following and, to an extent, so does Anushka Sharma, yet the film failed to garner decent footfalls on its opening day. The emerging word of mouth publicity from those who caught the movie early happened to be so negative that the film failed to better its Friday figures even on Saturday, which is a normal trend howsoever bad a film may be. It is strange that thanks to social media discussions, those who still went to watch the film thereafter did so mainly out of curiosity as to what was so wrong with this film?
On the other hand, Piku is going great guns. Having had a lukewarm response with the opening day reporting a mere Rs 5.32 crore, the film went to double its opening day figures with Rs 11.2 crore on its first Sunday and continued the good run through the rest of the week till Thursday to put together a first week tally of Rs 41.42 crore. The film added another Rs 14.6 crore for its second week to take its 10-day total to Rs 56.02 crore.
Kuch Kuch Locha Hai saw poor collections of Rs 3.55 crore for its opening week.
Gabbar Is Back held well in face of little opposition and managed to collect a handsome Rs 18.1 crore in its second week to settle at Rs 74.5 crore after its second week run.
Margarita With A Straw added about Rs 15 lakh in its fourth week to take its four-week tally to Rs 5.95 crore.
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
