Hindi
Thousands pay homage to Dev Anand
MUMBAI: Scores of fans of India‘s evergreen star Dev Anand thronged the Mehboob Studios where a memorial prayer was organised in memory of the star who passed away on 4 December.
While most of the mourners were above the age of 50, there were many young people who had come to have a glimpse of the stars and those from the film fraternity who had come over to pay their last respects to the departed soul.
Among those we could spot near the podium, where a giant sized portrait of the Guide star was placed, were notable names like Aamir Khan, Ashutosh Gowariker, Rishi Kapoor, Dheeraj Kumar, Prem Chopra, Waheeda Rehman. Asha Parekh, Ramesh Sippy, Yash Chopra, Sushma Shiromanee, Anadji (of Kayanji Anandji fame), Bappi Lahiri, Raza Murad, Mrs Manoj Kumar, Kunal Goswami, Rohan Sippy, Sushil Kumar Agarwal of Ultra and Padam Sacheti among others.
Paying his condolence to Dev Anand, Dheeraj Kumar said, “Dev Anand was a legend and is a legend, legends don‘t die. Even after his departing from the world, he must have taken a rebirth by now. He shall grow up to entertain the millions across the globe in the entertainment and media sector.”
According to me Dev Saab was a true karmavir who performed his karma in the field (the entertainment world) which shall again be his karmabhoomi. I had a strong bond with Dev Saab both on a human level as well as on the professional level,” Kumar said.
Bappi Lahiri added, “Dev Saab is Dev Saab. There was no other great and humanitarian person as he was. He must have given a break to more than thousand people in the film industry. I have had the honour of working with him as well as his brother Vijay Anand. They were people beyond comparison.”
A teary eyed Prem Chopra said, “Dev Saab was an actor and died an actor. I think he is the only film personality in the world who died as an actor cum filmmaker. I bow down to him.”
Fans and film folks were still streaming in even after the appointed time chanting his songs that made the world go mad for him.
Hindi
Edstead unveils ambitious H1 2026 content slate
New originals feature Adarsh Gourav in Northeast docu-series, Aditi Kotak in Next Class, and Adil Hussain in Stories of India.
MUMBAI: Edstead just dropped a content menu so rich it could make even the pickiest viewer say “encore” because when storytelling meets substance, the binge becomes inevitable. The fast-rising Mumbai-based studio, founded by Shekhar Bhattacharjee, today revealed its H1 2026 slate, a bold expansion of premium non-fiction that blends cultural depth, innovation, and legacy into cinematic factual narratives. The lineup cements Edstead’s niche at the crossroads of authenticity and global appeal, delivering research-driven stories that stay rooted in the Indian experience while aiming for wider resonance.
Headlining the fresh originals:
- An untitled docu-series starring Bollywood actor Adarsh Gourav, who journeys through Northeast India to spotlight living cultural traditions, indigenous voices, music, oral histories, and everyday resilience. Presented by Air India Express, with Dentsu Sports and Entertainment as integration partner.
- Next Class, an eight-episode impact series fronted by entrepreneur and former Miss India Aditi Kotak, decoding career pathways, emerging fields, and real-world outcomes through leading institutions and forward-thinking disciplines.
- Stories of India with Adil Hussain, India’s first weekly OTT series dedicated to social impact, profiling organisations driving meaningful change and connecting purpose with tangible results.
- Toast to Tomorrow, exploring how leading alcohol brands craft immersive, culture-led experiences that celebrate regional identities and redefine legacy.
- No Cap Abroad – UAE Edition, following Indian students through their first week at UAE colleges—navigating homesickness, culture shock, and independence in a heartfelt coming-of-age tale.
Edstead is also returning with expanded seasons of breakout hits, The Future School (progressive Indian education), Molecules of Hope (healthcare innovation), and Great Indian Residential Schools.
Edstead founder Shekhar Bhattacharjee said, “At Edstead, we are focused on building narratives that carry depth, context, and long-term relevance. Every project begins with research and a clear purpose… Our ambition is to create globally competitive factual content from India that remains culturally grounded while shaping conversations, inspiring trust, and contributing to the growing culture economy.”
From education and healthcare to enterprise and cultural revival, the slate reflects Edstead’s full-stack approach developing original IPs and guiding them through a robust distribution network spanning digital, OTT, and broadcast. In a content world chasing quick trends, Edstead is quietly betting on stories built to last, ones that don’t just entertain, but linger long after the credits roll.
