Hindi
Colombian film bags top award at 42nd IFFI
PANAJI: The Colombian film ‘Porfirio‘ by Alejandro Landes took away the Golden Peacock for best film, while Iranian director Asghar Farhadi got the Silver Peacock for best director for the film ‘Nader and Simin, a Separation‘.
While Alejandro and his producer Francisco Allure received Rs 4 million each, Asghar got Rs 1.5 million.
The best actor award went to Sasson Gabay for the Israeli film ‘Restoration‘ by Joseph Madmony while the best female actor award went to Nadezda Markina for the Russian film ‘Elena‘ directed by Andrei Zvyagintev. Both received the Silver Peacock and a cash component of One million each.
The Indian (Malayalam) film ‘Abu. Son of Adam‘ (Adaminte Makan Abu) by Salim Ahamed received the Special jury award comprising cash component of Rs 1.5 million apart from a Silver Peacock.
The five-member International Jury was headed by famed filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan judging 14 films. Seven outstanding films which could not make it to the competition are being shown in a section known as ‘A Cut Above‘.
Earlier, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting CM Jatua said IFFI provides a platform for cinemas of the world to promote excellence and promote friendships amongst people.
Chief Guest and actor Surya said movies are all about desires that drive the people to do better. He said in south India, where he came from, cinema was a culture and not just entertainment. But it was unfortunate that regional language cinema was not getting the kind of attention that Hindi cinema got, though “we build a lot of bridges”. He said filmmakers in the south shared creative content.
He made a special appeal that awarded films should be shown in all parts of the country with English subtitles, to help the untapped talent.
Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said the festivals had led to more films being shot in Goa – 67 in recent months – and the motto of the festival had been to see satisfaction on the faces of the delegates. He noted that the Festival coincided with the Golden Jubilee of ‘Operation Vijay‘ which resulted in the liberation of Goa.
Festival Director Shankar Mohan proposed the vote of thanks at the finale which was attended among others by Goa Speaker Pratap Singh Rane, Goa Information Secretary Rajiv Verma, Panaji Mayor Yatin Parikh, I&B Ministry Joint Secretary (Films) DP Reddy, Goa Chief Secretary Sanjay Srivastava, actors Kangana Ranaut and Bhumika, filmmaker Rajendra Ahire, cameraman Madhu Ambat, and producer Sohail Khan. The programme was presented by actors Samir Soni and Mandira Bedi.
The festival closed with the French film ‘The Lady‘ by Luc Besson on the life of Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar.
The programme commenced a minute‘s silence to pay homage to Brazilian filmmaker Oscar Marron Filho who had died of a heart attack during the festival.
The colourful function included a dance ensemble representing dances from different parts of the country performed by Terence Lewis and his troupe with actress Isha Koppiker as the guest dancer.
A total of 167 films from 65 countries were screened at the Festival which commenced on 23 November. Renowned French filmmaker Bertrand Tavernier received the Lifetime Achievement award from Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni.
This award, which had been started around a decade earlier and later abandoned, has been revived and will include a cash award of Rs one million.
The Festival was inaugurated by Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan and opened with the Portuguese film ‘The Consul of Bordeaux‘ by Francisco Manso and Joao Correa.
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.
