Hindi
PVR Cinemas to premiere ‘Ekans-Hero Ek Villain Anek’ on 19 August
Mumbai: Ekan, the hero of Pogo’s original animated series Ekans-Snakes Awake!, is set to make his big screen debut. The children’s animated film “Ekans-Hero Ek Villain Anek” will be released exclusively in theatres at PVR cinemas.
This new film will be shown in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu at 72 PVR locations across 40 cities in India beginning 19 August.
In addition to the movie screening, PVR has planned a variety of fun activities for kids, such as mascot visits and contests with Ekans merchandise as prizes.
At the flagship PVR theatres in Mumbai, New Delhi, and Bengaluru, an experiential zone will be created where young fans can meet Ekans.
Additionally, weekend activities such as face painting, drawing, origami, and interactive games are planned to keep the kids entertained.
Warner Bros. Discovery head of kids cluster – South Asia Uttam Pal Singh said, “Since the launch of our India original animation series ‘Ekans – Snakes Awake!’, it has consistently been a fan favourite. We are all set to take Ekans’ adventures and bravery from the small screen to the big screen with ‘Ekans-Hero Ek Villain Anek’. PVR Cinemas and the experience it provides make it an ideal partner to premiere the movie and reach an even wider audience. We are sure the movie will appeal to kids across the country, propelling Ekans to even greater popularity.”
PVR CEO Gautam Dutta said, “PVR is excited to host POGO’s much-awaited kids’ animated movie, ‘Ekans-Hero Ek Villain Anek.’ The movie is being released as part of the PVR Kids’ Day Out initiative, which offers the perfect opportunity for families with children to have a fun outing at our cinemas. It has always been our endeavour to offer exclusive content and differentiated experiences appealing to every customer demographic. We strive to create opportunities for our youngest audience to experience our unique offerings. We are certain that kids will enjoy watching Ekans on the big screen.”
Hindi
Jio Studios, Sanjay Dutt team up to revive Khal Nayak
Rights acquired for new version, format under wraps as remake plans take shape.
MUMBAI: The villain is back and this time, he’s rewriting his own script. Jio Studios has partnered with Three Dimension Motion Pictures and Aspect Entertainment to revive the 1993 cult classic Khal Nayak, marking a fresh chapter for one of Bollywood’s most iconic anti-hero stories. The original film, directed by Subhash Ghai under Mukta Arts, was a commercial and cultural milestone, with Sanjay Dutt’s portrayal of Ballu becoming one of Hindi cinema’s most memorable performances.
Dutt, along with Aksha Kamboj, has now acquired the rights from the original creators, bringing on board Jio Studios and its President Jyoti Deshpande to steer the project creatively.
While the exact format whether remake, sequel, prequel, or a completely new narrative remains undisclosed, the collaboration aims to reinterpret the story for contemporary audiences while retaining the essence that made the original a defining film of the 1990s.
The move taps into a broader industry trend of reviving legacy intellectual property, particularly characters with strong recall value. “Khal Nayak” was notable for pushing mainstream Hindi cinema into morally grey territory at a time when heroes were largely one-dimensional, making Ballu’s character a standout.
The project also marks the film production debut of Aspect Entertainment, signalling a push towards more technology-led storytelling frameworks. Meanwhile, Jio Studios continues to expand its slate, having built a library of over 200 films and series, with more than 60 titles collectively winning 500-plus awards.
For Dutt, the revival is as much personal as it is strategic, a return to a role that reshaped his career. For the industry, it is another sign that nostalgia, when paired with scale, remains a powerful box-office proposition.
Because in Bollywood, some villains never fade, they just wait for the perfect comeback.
