Hindi
Farah Khan mulls screening Joker to the underprivileged
MUMBAI: Producer Farah Khan intends to screen her upcoming film Joker to underprivileged children.
Directed by her husband Shirish Kunder, the film is a fantasy-adventure film starring Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha, Shreyas Talpade and Minnisha Lamba.
“Joker is a complete family film and the kids already love our friendly aliens. We have been doing a lot of events with aliens and the reaction from kids has been out of this world,” Farah said in a statement.
The makers of the film are planning to show the film to underprivileged kids and children from reality shows a couple of days before the movie releases. “As part of the film’s promotions, we are planning to show this movie to the kids,” Farah added.
The film tells the story about a village called Paglapur that lacks basic facilities like water supply and electricity. Since no one comes forward to solve the problems, the character played by Akshay creates a drama involving aliens to attract people‘s attention.
Joker, jointly produced by UTV Motion Pictures, Farah and Shirish‘s production house Three‘s Company and Akshay Kumar‘s company Hari Om Entertainment, will release on 31 August.
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
