Hindi
Box Office: ‘Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2’ takes Rs 21 crore in opening weekend
MUMBAI: ‘It is the season for small budget comedies be it about romance or sex. Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2 appeals hugely to youth and proves that a film has to be youth oriented for they are the ones who guarantee a decent opening at the box office and also spread good or bad word of mouth.
Despite very limited promotions, the film took an impressive opening and the figures reflect the fact. The film only showed a marked rise in collections on Saturday and Sunday. And, despite being Navratri period, which is not the best of times for a new release, especially one counting mainly on its youth appeal. The film collected a heartening Rs 20.8 crore in its opening weekend.
Wedding Pullav is poor and failed to get footfalls through its opening weekend.
On the other hand, Jazbaa, a comeback film for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan after a five year break and an expected hat-trick for Irrfan Khan, who has given two much appreciated films in Piku andTalvar, falls prey to its bad scripting and inapt handling. The film could not sustain its collection after its opening weekend and the figures dropped through the week. The film could manage to put together just Rs 20.6 crore for its first week.
Singh Is Bliing loses the plot in its second week with the collections dropping by a major chunk as the film collects Rs 10.5 crore to take its two week total to Rs 72.65.
Talvar maintains a strong trend in its second week cashing in on the appreciation received. The film collects Rs 10.5 crore to take its two week tally to Rs 26 crore.
Kapil Sharma’s Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon has added Rs 75 lakh in its third week to take its three week total to Rs 43.95 crore making a star out of the TV comedian in the process.
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
