Hindi
NFDC to release Gujarati National Award-winner next month
NEW DELHI: The Good Road in Gujarati, which won the National Award for that language this year, is to be released commercially by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) on 19 July in Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Baroda, and Gandhinagar, across PVR cinemas under the Director‘s Rare banner.
The film received the award at the 60th National Film Awards on 3 May. An Award in this Category has come to a Gujarati film after a gap of 20 years, after Manvini Bhavai by Upendra Trivedi, in 1993.
A modern Gujarati tale, The Good Road, is directed by debut feature filmmaker Gyan Correa. In its story based around Kachchh, Gujarat, The Good Road is a journey of three sets of people who are travelling on a highway, cutting through the Banni, bordering the Rann. They are all on a journey to achieve their respective pursuits, but over the next twenty-four hours, will discover something altogether different, something new and unexpected about their lives.
Well-known actress Sonali Kulkarni (Kiran) plays the pivotal role, alongside Ajay Gehi (David), Keval Katrodia (Aditya), Shamji Dhana Kerasia (Pappu), Priyank Upadhyay (Shaukat), and Poonam Kesarsingh Rajput (Poonam). The film showcases technical excellence from experts like the Oscar Award winning Sound Designer Resul Pookutty, ace Cinematographer Amitabha Singh (Chillar Party, Khosla ka Ghosla), Music Director Rajat Dholakia (Delhi 6, Mirch Masala) and Multi talented Editor Paresh Kamdar (Tunnu ki Tina, Rasayatra).
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
