Hindi
Pappu Can’t Dance Saala loses steam after a decent start
MUMBAI: Pappu Can‘t Dance Saala, as the title suggests, would be a comedy revolving around Vinay Pathak.
 |
Producer: Sameer Nair, Saurabh Shukla. |
The thing with Vinay Pathak is that while he may fit into the character of a middle class simpleton, he just can‘t go beyond that due to which he ends up doing the same kind of roles with same input.
Pappu Can‘t Dance Saala is about how a simple man from Varanasi, Vinay Pathak and a street smart girl, Neha Dhupia, a film chorus dancer end up in the same house. They were neighbours in a government housing building, but following a raid by the vigilance department, Neha Dhupia is evicted from her flat. Suspecting Vinay Pathak of having complained to authorities, she muscles her way into his house, also taking over his bedroom.
The fun begins with the duo‘s petty squabbling and fights; the problem is the fun does not last long enough. As the film progresses, things become repetitive and the interest sags. Script is contrived as per convenience and none of the two main characters possess the ability to carry the film on their own shoulders. There are notmany characters either to share the screen time.
The script loses steam after a decent start and so does direction, which loses hold on the film. While the dialogues are good at places, the other aspects like music, cinematography are passable.
Vinay Pathak and Neha Dhupia do well within their limited range. Naseeruddin Shah is good in a special appearance. Rajat Kapoor, Brijendra Kala, Veena Mallik, Sanjay Mishra etc give fair support.
Pappu Can‘t Dance Saala would find some of its viewers on TV and video but hardly any at the cinema halls.
Jo Hum Chahein is forgettable
 |
Producer: Aman Gill. |
Jo Hum Chahein is a family enterprise of three brothers, Aman Gill (producer), Pawan Gill (director) and Sunny Gill (lead actor), who is being launched with this film.
It is a coming of age story of a young management graduate, Sunny Gill, who reek of overconfidence and always wants to be number one in all the challenges he faces.
In same vein, he wants to top the performance list in his stock broking firm in Mumbai where he has been accepted as an apprentice and also in the same spirit of challenge he pursues a girl, Simran Mundi to add to his list of conquests.
Simran, however, is not an easy catch since she has her idea of love well-defined. As it would happen, her reluctance to succumb to his passes only makes him fall in love with her.
At the same time, in his quest to be at the top of list in his office, he falls prey to his senior colleague‘s ploy, ending up as toy boy for a wealthy widow. What follows is a usual love story, falling in love, the mandatory misunderstanding, the man straying in greed and the eventual positive ending.
I am not calling it a happy ending because by the time the film ends, you are anything but happy; spent and mentally fatigued is more like it! (Comparing the theme as modern day Shri 420 would be sacrilege.)
The film rests mainly on just two characters, the lead pair, both new and not at all prepared to carry this film with no twists and turns.
The script is routine with little drama. Direction is average and the first half has overdose of songs even as the musical score is not much of help. Dialogue lacks punch. Performance wise Sunny Gill is okay with limited range while Simran Mundi is expressionless. Ally Khan did well.
Jo Hum Chahein is forgettable.
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
