Hindi
Aamir Khan, Kamal Haasan, Shahid Kapoor and others pledge support for Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI)
MUMBAI: Post the social media campaign started to support the 16th Mumbai Film Festival, organized by Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) has received an overwhelming support not only from the Indian Film Fraternity fraternity but from across the globe. Actor and Producer Aamir Khan has pledged his support for 16th Mumbai Film Festival by donating 11 lakhs today. In his tweet this morning he has expressed his support to the campaign and the festival and has requested others to do so as well.
He tweeted, “Hey guys, the Mumbai Film Festival needs our help. I’m donating 11 lakhs. Would be really great if all of you came forward and donated as much as you can to make it happen! Thanks. Love.a”
The campaign to save the festival, organized by Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI), has gained impetus from other film fraternity members like Actor Kamal Haasan , Ronnie Screwvala after Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani, Cinestaan Film Company, promoted by Anand Mahindra and Rohit Khattar, producers Manish Mundra, Vivek Kajaria and Nilesh Navlakha, director Hansal Mehta and noted author and critic Anupama Chopra.
Ronnie Screwvala in his tweet said, “Mumbai is the cultural hub of India, especially for cinemas. Let’s all join in to make the Mumbai Film Festival a reality.”
Actor Shahid Kapoor in his tweet said, “ Mumbai – the film capital of India – should boast of a world class film festival. Lets get together and #Pledge4MAMI.”
Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director, Toronto International Film Festival, said, “Mumbai is one of the most exciting film cities in the world and it deserves a strong film festival. I hope everyone can offer their support to help keep the door open for a celebration of global cinema in Mumbai every year.”
Roger Garcia, Executive Director, Hong Kong International Film Festival said, The Mumbai Film festival fills an important gap in the Indian Film Festival landscape. It brings the international perspective of films and filmmakers right into the heart of the bollywood industry adding to its cosmopolitan atmosphere of vibrant creativity. Mumbai Film Festival introduces the artistic side of Indian cinema to visitors like myself, while giving Indian movie-goers an essential menu of the best in contemporary films. It’s a loss would be felt not only in India but also around the world – an outcome that I hope we can all help prevent.
Dorothee Wenner, Film maker, Curator, & Programmer, Berlinale , DIFF said, “ It is wonderful to follow from far-away Berlin the kind of support MAMI gets these days: so many people actively fighting for a film festival with the proud tradition of celebrating cinema’s diversity is encouraging for cinephiles from around the world. Keep going!”
Witnessing the overwhelming support, festival director, Mr. Srinivasan Narayan said, “We are touched by the support that we have received from the fraternity. We would like to thank each and everyone who have contributed in their own way. The festival has now grown stronger than ever.”
To contribute, please visit http://www.mumbaifilmfest.org/pledge . To contribute via cheque, please write to director@mumbaifilmfest.com. The cheque will be collected by a festival representative. All donations to Mumbai Film Festival are covered under the 80G of the income tax act.
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
