Hindi
‘Ek Villain’, ‘Holiday’ shine at BO
MUMBAI: Ek Villan, a reasonably priced film with a limited face value where Riteish Deshmukh plays a negative role and gets a challenging one at that for the first time in his career, springs the biggest surprise with an outstanding opening weekend befitting a big star cast, big budget film. The film was expected to do well and the exhibitors were looking forward to it after a disappointing week with Humshakals. And, Ek Villain more than lives up to the expectations.
The film was expected to do around a decent Rs 11 plus crore or so on its opening day but exceeded all estimates by going over Rs 16 crore and went on to maintain at the same level. The onset of Ramadan three days from the release also helped the weekend to be strong as the holy fasting month of Ramadan sets in on Monday and films are taboo for those observing it. The film has ended its first weekend with a grand figure of Rs 48.5 crore.
Humshakals is poor, especially so considering its huge price tag. Having managed to collect Rs 51.6 crore for its first week and facing a poor second week, the film will be one of the major losers of the year.
Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty has maintained wonderfully in its third week, thanks to poor oppositions and also thanks to its merits to a degree. The film has added Rs 10.65 crore in its third week to take its three week tally to Rs 107.7 crore.
Fugly has added Rs 70 lakh to its total in its second week to take its total to Rs 9.95 crore.
Filmistan has collected Rs 50 lakh in its third week to take its three week total to Rs 5.8 crore.
Hindi
Kridhan Infra enters film production with AI-led feature film
Infra firm debuts AI-powered film marking RSS centenary
MUMBAI: Kridhan Infra Limited is swapping hard hats for headsets. The infrastructure company has announced its entry into film production and media technology through its subsidiary, Kridhan Mediatech Private Limited, with the nationwide theatrical release of Shatak: Sangh Ke 100 Varsh, an AI-led feature film.
With Shatak, the company is not just stepping into cinema but staking a claim in what it describes as one of the world’s early full-length AI-driven feature films. Artificial Intelligence has been embedded across the creative and production process, from script visualisation and environment creation to modelling and production design.
The film commemorates 100 years of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, tracing defining moments, personalities and historical phases that shaped its journey. By combining archival storytelling with algorithm-powered creativity, the project attempts to blend heritage with high technology.
For Kridhan Mediatech, this is only the opening scene. The subsidiary’s broader ambition spans AI, CGI, virtual production systems and scalable content models for both theatres and digital platforms. The move signals a strategic diversification for Kridhan Infra, traditionally rooted in engineering and construction.
The timing aligns with India’s growing push to become a global AI powerhouse. At the 2026 AI Impact Summit, prime minister Narendra Modi urged innovators to design in India and deliver to the world. Kridhan Mediatech’s initiative positions itself squarely within that narrative, aiming to export technology-enabled storytelling beyond domestic audiences.
India’s media and entertainment industry, valued at over Rs 2.5 lakh crore, alongside a rapidly expanding AI economy projected to cross Rs 1.4 lakh crore in the coming years, offers fertile ground at the intersection of cinema and code.
“With Shatak, we proudly present one of the world’s first AI-led full-length feature films while marking our strategic entry into film production and media technology through our subsidiary,” the company said in a statement. “Our vision is to combine India’s rich narrative heritage with forward-looking innovation. This is just the beginning of building globally competitive, technology-enabled cinematic experiences.”
From infrastructure to imagination, Kridhan’s latest venture suggests that in today’s India, even storytelling can be engineered.
