Hindi
Box Office: ‘Shaandaar’ collects Rs 30.8 crore in opening weekend
MUMBAI: The Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt starrer Shaandaar fails to find the approval of moviegoers. The film, an attempt to blend comic book approach with a fairytale setting, seems to take the audience and its intelligence for granted and meets with ready rejection.
Opening on Thursday to cash in on the major National holiday of Dussehra and enjoying the solo release status, its opening day collections of around Rs 11 crore leave much to be desired. The first day audience’s disappointment reflected at the box office on Friday as the collections dropped by over 30 per cent showing further decline on Saturday and Sunday to end its four day opening weekend with figures of Rs 30.8 crore.
Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2 was lapped up by the youth it being a romantic comedy catering to the young lot. That the film enjoyed certain brand equity because of earlier film, Pyaar Ka Punchnama, which was a reasonable success, also helped the sequel. Despite the film following a similar theme and gags as the previous version, the film did not fail to entertain. After a strong opening weekend of Rs 20.8 crore, the film held steady through the week to end its first week with figures of Rs 37.8 crore.
The film will enjoy a lucrative second week as it enjoys a favourable word of mouth while also benefiting from poor opposition from the new release of the week, Shaandaar.
Wedding Pullav faces total rejection. The film manages to collect a poor Rs 50 lakh for its first week.
Other minor films, released without any promotion, go unnoticed. The films are: Chinar Daastaan-E-Ishq, Bumper Draw, Hogaya Dimaagh Ka Dahi, Private Teacher and Jaatiwad.
Jazbaa drops to about 10 per cent of its first week figures, which in itself was poor. The film adds Rs 3.1 crore in its second week to take its two week total to Rs 23.7 crore.
Singh Is Bliing collects Rs 1.3 crore in its third week taking its three week total to Rs 73.95 crore.
Talvar remains strong despite new releases. It braves all oppositions. On a strong public appreciation, the film returns impressive figures in its third week. It adds Rs 3.55 crore to take its three week tally to Rs 29.55 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
