Hindi
Shiv Dube’s MLA nominated at NYIFF
MUMBAI: Debutante Shiv Dube’s directorial venture MLA has won a nomination at the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) where the film would be officially screened on 24 May.
Starring Mukesh Tiwari and Onkar Das Manikpuri, the film tells the story of a battle between a common man, an industrialist and a politician.The film is an attempt to show the power of the common man. If a common man decides to change the fate of his country, then he can do that by electing and voting the right candidate for himself.
Said Dube, “I was so occupied with the activities concerning the film’s release that I didn‘t even have time to react. I just took the news casually when I was informed about it initially. I took it as part and parcel of making a film. But now that it has actually sunk in, I obviously feel honoured and appreciated. Through MLA, my attempt is to show the real face of politics from the point of view of the layman and the corporate world. I also want to spread awareness about the importance of voting among the audience.”
Produced by Gajali Films, MLA will release across theatres on 25 May.
Hindi
ZEE5, Applause announce new film Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa
Rajat Kapoor’s dark comedy thriller to stream on ZEE5 from April 10
MUMBAI: ZEE5 and Applause Entertainment have announced their next direct-to-digital collaboration, Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa, a darkly comic whodunnit set to stream from April 10.
Produced in association with Mithya Talkies and written and directed by Rajat Kapoor, the film marks the latest addition to a growing slate of genre-diverse titles from the two partners. Their previous collaborations include dramas, psychological thrillers and dark comedies, with this outing leaning into a layered murder mystery.
The film features an ensemble cast including Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey, Waluscha De Sousa and Saurabh Shukla, among others. The narrative promises a mix of satire, strained relationships and hidden tensions, inviting viewers to look beyond the crime to the dynamics that lead up to it.
ZEE5 business head hindi and chief channel officer Andtv Kaveri Das said, “Our collaboration with Applause Entertainment has been instrumental in building a strong slate with titles such as Bloody Brothers, Mithya and Jab Khuli Kitaab. Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa is a natural progression, aligning with our focus on genre-led content that resonates with audiences.”
Applause Entertainment business head movies Sunil Chainani said, “This collaboration with ZEE5 continues to stand out for its diversity of genres and narrative styles. Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa adds a sharp, darkly comic whodunnit to that mix, driven by Rajat Kapoor’s distinct voice.”
Sharing his creative approach, Rajat Kapoor said he was drawn to the emotional layers behind the genre. “I was interested not just in the mechanics of a whodunnit, but the emotional violence that precedes physical violence. These are people who appear close, yet carry unspoken tensions that eventually surface.”
The partnership between ZEE5 and Applause continues to build on a shared focus on distinctive storytelling, with each project exploring a different tone and genre.
With its mix of humour, tension and ensemble storytelling, the film aims to offer more than just a mystery. It promises a closer look at the secrets people keep, and the consequences when they finally come to light.
