Hindi
‘Swacchta’ to be the theme of Children’s filmfest in Delhi
NEW DELHI: ‘Swacchta’ will be the main theme for the Rashtriya Bal Film Mela being held from 14 November, which is also marked as Children’s Day.
The three-day festival at Siri fort auditorium in the capital has been planned for the first time in Delhi on the sidelines of Childrens’ day celebrations. The event will focus on Children’s films which are either made or shot in India or the makers are Indian and will be held every alternate year. Tennis ace Sania Mirza would be the chief guest for the inaugural function.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said that the theme for Rashtriya Bal Film Mela would help in taking ‘Swacch Bharat Abhiyan’ to children and would create awareness among them through the medium of films.
The Minister said programmes like performance of the Shiamak Davar Dance Group at the inaugural function, ‘Cinematography Workshop’ by the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, workshop on ‘Best out of waste’, Magic performance: Act ‘Garbage Man’ impromptu work of art by the ace artist Vilas Nayak, and the presence of actor Jimmy Shergill on the theme ‘Swacchta’ would be other attractions for children at the festival. A special focused workshop on Charles Chaplin based on the film “Boot Cake” will be held. In addition, there will be paintings on Swachhta, and digital collage making on clean India & craft on making utility items through waste materials. The workshops will be conducted by experts from film institutes including FTII for groups of talented and deserving children between the age group of 5 to 16 years.
‘Pappu Ki Pugdundi’ would be the opening film of the festival being organised by the Children`s Film Society of India under the aegis of the Ministry.
Shortcut Safari which will be premiered for the first time, The Goal, Mahek Mirza, Ek Ajooba, Kummati, Krish Trish and Baltiboy-3 are some of the curated movies amongst others. The films are carefully handpicked to create an opportunity for children to experience qualitative content made exclusively for them. Some of these films have won several awards, globally.
Talking about the festival, CFSI CEO Shravan Kumar said, “At CFSI we not only want to make films but also make filmmakers. The objective behind this festival is not just to expand the children’s film market or encourage makers to come forward but also to nurture talent from a very young age. If we can showcase the right content and create a conducive environment for children to pursue film making or allied creative career paths, I am sure we will get great talent emerging out of our country. Films, I believe is the most powerful medium and if used effectively we can entertain while addressing various pressing issues”.
Interestingly, Bollywood personalities such as Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn and Sonakshi Sinha have given video bytes to wish CFSI and NCFF. Celebrities such as Jimmy Shergill and Shaimak Davar team will participate in cultural programmes and workshops.
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.
