Hindi
Zilla Ghaziabad maker rebuffs false claim
MUMBAI: Zilla Ghaziabad director Anand Kumar has rebuffed the claim of Krishna Devi, the widow of late former Indian Army man Mahender Singh ‘Fauji‘, who had approached the Delhi High Court seeking to stay the release of the movie.
“The claims normally become high when a film gets media hype. Zilla Ghaziabad is not a biopic. It‘s just a gangster film with a cop and two criminals. It‘s just a coincidence that Arshad Warsi‘s name in the film is Fauji but it‘s a modern story. When did Mahender Fauji use stylish cars and modern weapons I again say that Zilla Ghaziabad is a complete fiction film,” Kumar aserted.
In her recent petition, Devi had alleged that the upcoming film was based on the life of her late husband. Claiming that her husband joined the Indian Army in November 1965 and fought for the nation in the 1971 India-Pakistan war, she sought the Court‘s direction to restrain the release of the movie without her prior consent.
The petitioner said that on Internet they found a description about the film that read, “The film is based on real-life characters. Arshad Warsi‘s role is modeled on the outlaw Mahender Fauji.”
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.
