Hindi
‘Documentary cinema educates, inspires and motivates to bring a change in the society’: Anurag Thakur
Mumbai: The 17th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival for documentary, short fiction and animation films (MIFF-2022) began with an opening ceremony in Mumbai on Sunday.
Speaking via a video message, the Union Minister for Information And Broadcasting Anurag Thakur said, “Documentary cinema creates the most significant impact. It not only educates, inspires and motivates a change in the society but also acts as a tool that transcends cultures and boundaries.”
This edition will offer around 400 films from across the world. Out of these, 102 films will be screened under the competition category-35 in international competition and 67 in a national competition.
The minister also mentioned that MIFF provides a platform where documentary filmmakers from all over the world get to exchange ideas and explore the possibilities of co-productions and marketing of documentary, short and animation films. He added that this opportunity eventually broadens the vision of the film-makers vis-à-vis world cinema.
Speaking in this context, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Piyush Goyal said that those who produce art films, documentary films and animation films are kind of a ‘Start-Up’ seeding new ideas and play the role of messengers in the country.
He said there are multiple avenues like the silver screen, television, OTT, etc, available to spread the message across the world, thus allowing such ‘start-ups’ to become ‘Unicorns’.
Goyal said that Lata Mangeshkar was an inspiration for many artistes and musicians & through art she took India’s history, tradition and heritage to the world. “Let us explore ways as to how we can institutionalise Lata Didi’s role for the country, the city of Mumbai and the Cinema world itself.”
The Minister of State for Information And Broadcasting, Dr L. Murugan in his address spoke about the efforts made to promote Indian Cinema globally. He also pointed out how India has made a greater presence at the Cannes Film Festival and said Shaunak Sen’s film “All That Breathes” made India proud by winning the best documentary award.
The minister said that the government has announced incentives for international filmmakers and co-productions, especially for feature films, animation films, documentary films and web series. “AVGC sector promotion is happening in a great way. The prime minister (PM) called for Digital India and Startup India and the Indian contingent at Cannes showcased our culture and ethos,” he proudly recalled.
The seven-day festival was organised by the Films Division of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and inaugurated by Piyush Goyal.
Hindi
Zee5 and Applause Entertainment team up for whodunnit ‘Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa’
Rajat Kapoor directs star-studded murder mystery streaming from 10 April.
MUMBAI: Zee5 is serving up another killer collaboration and this time, the murder mystery comes with a generous side of dark humour and family dysfunction. The streaming platform has partnered with Applause Entertainment and Mithya Talkies to bring Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa, a fresh, twisted whodunnit written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker and actor Rajat Kapoor. The film will stream exclusively on Hindi Zee5 from 10 April.
The movie reimagines the classic murder mystery genre with a contemporary, darkly comic edge. It revolves around a group of friends and family who smile, drink, and celebrate together until the silence snaps and long-buried secrets spill out. The stellar ensemble cast includes Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey, Waluscha De Sousa, Saurabh Shukla, Chandrachoor Rai, Neil Bhoopalam, Koel Purie, Palomi Ghosh, and Rajat Kapoor himself.
This latest offering continues the successful partnership between Zee5 and Applause Entertainment, which has previously delivered diverse hits such as Mithya, Bloody Brothers, and Jab Khuli Kitaab.
&TV Business Head of hindi Zee5 and chief channel officer Kaveri Das said, “Our collaboration with Applause Entertainment has consistently delivered distinct, high-impact storytelling. Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa is a natural progression, reinforcing our focus on genre-led content with a compelling whodunnit premise and a strong ensemble cast.”
Applause Entertainment business head for movies Sunil Chainani added, “This film adds yet another compelling layer to our slate with Rajat Kapoor’s unmistakable voice.”
Rajat Kapoor shared, “What interested me was not just the mechanics of a whodunnit, but the emotional violence that precedes physical violence. These are people who smile at each other, but there’s so much that is not said.”
The film promises razor-sharp writing, layered performances, and simmering tension, inviting viewers not just to solve the crime but to unravel the complex relationships at its heart.
If you love a good murder mystery served with wit and emotional depth, Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa looks set to be your next addictive watch. Mark your calendars, the whodunnit drops on Hindi Zee5 from 10 April.
