Hindi
IFFI to become top festival of the world in five years, says Shankar Mohan
PANAJI: The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has sectioned Rs 150 million for three theatres to be built at Margao to extend the reach of the International Film Festival of India throughout Goa.
The state government is also contemplating building a convention centre housing at least 4000 people and a discussion centre at Panaji.
Inaugurating the Open Forum organised for the Festival Directorate and the Entertainment Society of Goa by the Federation of Film Societies of India, Goa chief secretary Sanjay Srivastava said the Government is also considering setting up studios for post-production facilities for filmmakers and had already introduced single-window clearance for them. He noted that IFFI has helped in creating a film culture in Goa.
Festival chairman of the steering committee Mike Pandey said Goa could become the cinema hub of the country. He felt that there is no point in making comparisons with Cannes or other Festivals since IFFI has its own identity and should work to become the largest in Asia. The aim is towards inclusive growth involving the government, filmmakers and film-goers. He expressed the hope that the Festival will be able to attract world premieres.
Answering a question about attracting the cine glitterati, he said there is no point in calling people who walked out after formal functions and did not stay to see the films. He wants the film personalities to come and take part in the various activities relating to the Festival.
Noting that IFFI had seen a ‘re-birth‘ this year, Festival Director Shankar Mohan said he expected IFFI to be at the top in five years. He said new sections had been introduced because the aim was to reach out to the younger crowds. This was the reason for the ‘large buffet of sumptuous cinema‘, he said, adding that the vision was to go global.
The IFFI is industry-oriented unlike most other international festivals which are market-oriented, he added.
Answering a question about making films available to people after the festival through DVDs, he said issues relating to the Copyright Act or permissions from the rights holders had to be overcome before this could be done. However, he said DVDs of already-released Indian films were already available in the market.
Entertainment Society of Goa chief executive officer Manoj Srivastava expressed pride that the Festival has a digital films section, noting that he has introduced acceptance of films made in digital format for the National Film Awards almost a decade earlier.
He agreed that there is need to hold road shows or presentations to attract more people in the film industry from all over the country.
FFSI President Narahari Rao said the Directorate should become an umbrella for all other film festivals in the country and help them. There was need to bring in more people from the younger generation.
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.
