Hindi
Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival and Civic Studios collab to inspire social change
Mumbai: Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, known for bringing the best of contemporary cinema and talent from different parts of the world to the city of Mumbai, is all set to have some exciting additions to its 2023 edition. This year, Jio MAMI is collaborating with Civic Studios, a production house that creates entertainment focused on social change, to spark impactful conversations at the festival.
The festival will include a new award called the Lights Camera Impact Award, presented by Civic Studios. This award will recognise and spotlight two engaging short films focusing on subjects of climate, sexuality, and caste. The intent is to award films with engaging short films that spark conversation on oft-ignored, socially relevant topics. Each winner receives a trophy and a cash prize of INR 1,00,000, to be presented to the directors. This award will encourage storytellers who are using their medium to tell powerful, meaningful stories.
As part of this collaboration, the festival will also host a climate change-themed party titled “Too Hot to Handle.” Loosely based on the “climate fresk” parties taking Europe by storm, the party aims to bring the topic of climate change centre stage through a fun, engaging event format while fostering a can-do spirit about the future. This event will have renowned comic Abish Mathew hosting a climate change-themed game show and a walk-through exhibit on climate action stories. Targeted at film industry insiders in India, it seeks to boost climate literacy and raise awareness on how filmmakers can contribute positively as artists and filmmakers to the climate change conversation. The event itself will aim to be a zero-waste event.
The festival will also host a thought-provoking panel discussion to explore the methods and strategies employed in mounting documentary and fiction feature projects that drive extended community engagement and use cinema as a powerful tool for social change.
Civic Studios founder Anushka Shah shared her enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We believe in the transformative power of cinema, and partnering with an important platform like MAMI is a tremendous opportunity to bring that to life. The Lights Camera Impact award is an initiative to highlight and encourage fresh talent driven towards social impact, while the climate change party is a way for all of us to learn and take action while having a good time.”
Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival artistic director Deepti DCunha added, “Jio MAMI is committed to showcasing films that not only entertain but also inspire and create discussions. We are excited to have Civic Studios’ on board to support independent filmmakers who use their cinema to spark conversations about social issues.”
Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival and Civic Studios partnership promises to be a beacon of hope, inspiring change, and raising awareness on socially relevant issues through the art of filmmaking!
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.
