Hindi
Marten Rabarts to head NFDC’s development unit
MUMBAI: The Information and Broadcasting ministry has appointed Marten Rabarts, currently artistic director of Amsterdam-based Binger Filmlab, to head the development division of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).
Rabarts will establish a fully-fledged development arm for the national funding body and oversee the set up of a professional development and training hub for directors, producers and writers in Mumbai. This hub will also take out a ‘knowledge caravan’ bringing top international expertise to other film centres across the subcontinent.
He will establish a fully-fledged development arm for the national funding body and oversee the set up of a professional development and training hub for directors, producers and writers in Mumbai. This hub will also take out a ‘knowledge caravan’ bringing top international expertise to other film centres across the subcontinent.
Said NFDC managing director Nina Lath Gupta, “We are immensely pleased that Marten will be joining us to help grow and expand the scope of what NFDC offers to our independent filmmaking community. He brings, not only knowledge and experience in creative and professional development, but an instinct for spotting talent and a real gift of knowing what to add for that talent to excel.”
Rabarts leaves Binger Filmlab after 12 years of heading its creative growth and development. He will step down at the end of May to relocate to Mumbai to take up his new role.
Hindi
Edstead unveils ambitious H1 2026 content slate
New originals feature Adarsh Gourav in Northeast docu-series, Aditi Kotak in Next Class, and Adil Hussain in Stories of India.
MUMBAI: Edstead just dropped a content menu so rich it could make even the pickiest viewer say “encore” because when storytelling meets substance, the binge becomes inevitable. The fast-rising Mumbai-based studio, founded by Shekhar Bhattacharjee, today revealed its H1 2026 slate, a bold expansion of premium non-fiction that blends cultural depth, innovation, and legacy into cinematic factual narratives. The lineup cements Edstead’s niche at the crossroads of authenticity and global appeal, delivering research-driven stories that stay rooted in the Indian experience while aiming for wider resonance.
Headlining the fresh originals:
- An untitled docu-series starring Bollywood actor Adarsh Gourav, who journeys through Northeast India to spotlight living cultural traditions, indigenous voices, music, oral histories, and everyday resilience. Presented by Air India Express, with Dentsu Sports and Entertainment as integration partner.
- Next Class, an eight-episode impact series fronted by entrepreneur and former Miss India Aditi Kotak, decoding career pathways, emerging fields, and real-world outcomes through leading institutions and forward-thinking disciplines.
- Stories of India with Adil Hussain, India’s first weekly OTT series dedicated to social impact, profiling organisations driving meaningful change and connecting purpose with tangible results.
- Toast to Tomorrow, exploring how leading alcohol brands craft immersive, culture-led experiences that celebrate regional identities and redefine legacy.
- No Cap Abroad – UAE Edition, following Indian students through their first week at UAE colleges—navigating homesickness, culture shock, and independence in a heartfelt coming-of-age tale.
Edstead is also returning with expanded seasons of breakout hits, The Future School (progressive Indian education), Molecules of Hope (healthcare innovation), and Great Indian Residential Schools.
Edstead founder Shekhar Bhattacharjee said, “At Edstead, we are focused on building narratives that carry depth, context, and long-term relevance. Every project begins with research and a clear purpose… Our ambition is to create globally competitive factual content from India that remains culturally grounded while shaping conversations, inspiring trust, and contributing to the growing culture economy.”
From education and healthcare to enterprise and cultural revival, the slate reflects Edstead’s full-stack approach developing original IPs and guiding them through a robust distribution network spanning digital, OTT, and broadcast. In a content world chasing quick trends, Edstead is quietly betting on stories built to last, ones that don’t just entertain, but linger long after the credits roll.
