Hindi
Mountain man Nawazuddin spreads ‘Manjhi’ message via #fame
MUMBAI: Viacom18 Motion Pictures has partnered with #fame to promote its film Manjhi – The Mountain Man through a digital and social media campaign.
As the official live video partner of Manjhi, #fame created digital content for the film, which spreads its message.
The movie has seen more than 20 hours of live video content being created, which includes exclusive interviews with the film’s cast, city promotional tours and press events and customised live content around the film created by talent performing on the #fame app. #fame beamers from respective cities followed the cast throughout the promotional tour to create content and engage fans.
Apart from live beaming, #fame conceptualised an Independence Day themed video with lead actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, which captured the larger message of Manjhi – The Mountain Man The video, ‘Happy Swantantra to you’ has already garnered more than 1.1 million views across platforms.
“As India’s No.1 live video entertainment platform, #fame is home to the country’s millenial audiences and a powerful movie like Manjhi, which has a strong message for the youth resonated well with this audience. Through #fame, the build up and excitement of Manjhi scaled up further with the promotional tours, special events and fan interactions with the cast all being captured live. Our objective is to deliver compelling live entertainment to every smartphone carrying youth,” said #fame CEO Saket Saurabh.
“It was great to be associated with #fame for the promotions of Manji- The Mountain Man. The film has received an overwhelming response through the trailers. We wanted to engage strongly with digital audiences and the partnership with #fame was a great fit for this,” added Viacom18 Motion Pictures VP marketing Rudrarup Datta.
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
