Hindi
‘John Abraham reacts strongly to ban of Madras Cafe in Chennai
NEW DELHI: Actor John Abraham has reacted strongly to the ban in Chennai of his film ‘Madras Café’, which released today with a U/A Certificate.
He said in a statement, “Madras Café is a credible film made with a lot of heart and gives audiences something novel to be entertained about, vouching and encouraging cinema.”
He therefore added, “I would like to urge all of Chennai to support Madras Café as a film and release it as it is.”
Viacom Motion Pictures, JA Entertainment and Rising Sun Films’ political thriller Madras Cafereceived a U/A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification – minus cuts.
Director Shoojit Sircar said he was “happy that the censor board had passed the film without any cuts giving it a U/A certificate.”
He added, “This is a very special film for us and I am glad the audiences will get to experience this political thriller.”
Starring John Abraham, Nargis Fakhri, Rashi Khanna, Leena Maria and ad gurus Agnello Dias and Piyush Pandey, Madras Cafe set with the backdrop of an inter-country relation, revolves around John Abraham, an intelligence officer uncovering the workings of secret operations.
It has been presented by Viacom 18 Motion Pictures and JA Entertainment and produced by Rising Sun Films and JA Entertainment.
Abraham had specially worked to get a lean look for this film to suit his role.
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
