Hindi
‘Gabbar Is Back’ earns Rs 36.6 crore at BO
MUMBAI: Akshay Kumar’s oft repeated theme of anti-establishment Gabbar Is Back, has benefitted thanks to it being a kind of solo release for the audience starved of commercial mass film with a popular star this year so far.
The film will enjoy a four day weekend in many states while it has a three day holiday run in other states (May Day on 1 May and Buddha Purnima on 4 May). The film opened to average response, dropping further on Saturday.
The collections got better on Sunday ending its first three days with Rs 36.6 crore. The negative word of mouth seems to have caught up with the film, which will limit its prospects as the week progresses.
The other release of the week, Sabki Bajegi Band, remained a nonstarter with five to 10 occupants in the audience on the opening day.
Jai Ho! Democracy proves to be a major disaster managing to collect just about Rs 18 lakh in its first week.
Ishq Ke Parinde goes unnoticed causing heartburns to both, the makers as well as the exhibitors.
Kagaz Ke Fools, it seems, marks the end of Vinay Pathak kind of comedies. The film manages just about Rs 40 lakh for its first week’s run.
Mr X suffered due to its mediocre script and treatment and dropped to about a little less than 10 per cent of its first week figures in its week two. The film managed a bare Rs 2.4 crore to take its two week tally to Rs 20.95 crore.
Margarita With A Straw sustains on the lower side, though. The film collects Rs 1.75 crore in its second week, taking its two week tally to Rs 5.25 crore.
Ek Paheli Leela adds Rs 30 lakh in its third week to take its three week total to Rs 21.14 crore.
Dharam Sankat Mein has added Rs 25 lakh in its third week taking its three week tally to Rs 9 crore.
Detective Byomkesh Bakshy has collected Rs 40 lakh in its fourth week to take its four week total to Rs 27.08 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
