Hindi
The journey of Kapil’s Devils to be immortalised on celluloid
NEW DELHI: In June 1983, veteran cricketer Kapil Dev led his men to win the prudential World Cup Cricket by defeating the then two time defending champions West Indies in the finals, widely regarded as one of the greatest upsets in the world of sport.
That picture of Kapil Dev holding the World Cup title at the balcony at the Lords Cricket Ground has become part of cricket folklore and has become etched in collective memory of Indians as one of the greatest sporting achievements.
Kapil while reminiscing about that victory has revealed that a film is being made on the team’s journey during the 1983 World Cup. “I wish all the success to Vishnu (Vishnu Vardhan Induri, founder of Celebrity Cricket League) who is producing the movie and his team,” he said.
He added, “It is heartening to see the trend of movies being made on sports in our country which I am sure will inspire the youth to get motivated and do well for the country.”
“In what seems like a rather bizarre turn of events even three decades after the historic World Cup victory, a cricket crazy country like India has not produced a single feature film that captures the achievement. In many ways that victory was instrumental in turning cricket into a religion it has become in India. I was a school kid then and still remember the euphoria surrounding the victory. The 1983 World Cup is seminal event in the history of sport in India and I believe it’s a story that needs to be told,” says Induri.
Sanjay Puran Singh, who won the National Award for his debut film Lahore is directing the film. “We are in touch with the members of the 1983 World Cup winning team and they have lent their full support to us. The film is in the pre-production stage at the moment and we are hoping to finish the casting and hit the floors in the first quarter of 2015,” says Induri, promising that the film will turn out to be a proper Bollywood feature film on sports that will set a new benchmark.
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
