Sunday, 27 September 2026

From 90-second fad to MEGA BUSINESS: Microdramas get a dedicated spotlight at FICCI FRAMES alongside cinema, OTT, AI and reality TV

Microdramas are no longer being discussed only inside startup offices and short-video companies. The format is now entering one of India's most influential mainstream entertainment-industry forums.

FICCI FRAMES 2026, to be held in Mumbai on September 29 and 30, has included a dedicated session titled Microdrama, Mega Business: The Next Content Disruption in its programme. The panel will examine how snackable fiction, creator-led series and platform-first originals are changing content creation, distribution and monetisation.

Significantly, the discussion brings together representatives from different parts of the emerging ecosystem — Meta, Zee Entertainment's BULLET Microdrama, Eloelo Group, Kuku and the creative community.

That places microdramas on an agenda otherwise populated by some of India's biggest entertainment names. FICCI FRAMES 2026 will feature discussions involving Ayushmann Khurrana, Ekta Kapoor, Ajay Devgn, filmmaker Sriram Raghavan and senior executives from JioStar, Zee, Netflix, Prime Video, Sony Pictures Networks India and Dharma Productions. Separate sessions will examine cinema, reality television, AI and copyright, regional storytelling, streaming and the creator economy.

Six months ago, vertical fiction could reasonably have been dismissed as another short-video experiment. Now India's established studios, broadcasters, creators, advertisers and investors are debating whether it represents a distinct entertainment business.

The inclusion of a dedicated microdrama session at FICCI FRAMES therefore feels significant. The conversation around the format is clearly shifting from whether audiences will embrace 60-90 second fiction to how large the business can become, who will control the most valuable IP and talent, and what role platforms, studios, advertisers and technology companies will play in shaping its future. If the current momentum continues, microdramas may soon cease to be treated as a side experiment in short-form video and emerge as a distinct pillar of India’s entertainment ecosystem.



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Anubhav Sinha launches music label ‘Benaras Beat’ with exclusive songs to be unveiled

Anubhav Sinha is one of the most acclaimed directors and producer-writers in Indian cinema, having delivered a number of stories to audiences over the years. Known for his keen eye for storytelling, Sinha has consistently explored diverse narratives while also producing several notable films under his banner. Now, the filmmaker is all set to embark on a new journey as he launches his own music label, Benaras Beat, marking a new chapter in his creative journey.

Talking about this new venture, Anubhav revealed that the idea of the label had been in his head for several years. Sharing his deep-rooted love for music and how the idea eventually took shape, he said, “So, there is a very interesting saying that if you want to do something and you don't do anything about it, then it's a dream, and if you want to do something and you do a lot about it, then it's an ambition. Benaras Beat was formed in my head and in the office about 7-8 years back. I love music, so much so that 3 years back I started learning music. It's my passion for music since childhood. There is music playing in my room all the time.”

He added, “The idea germinated about 7-8 years back when I thought I'll make music outside of films as well, but I could not set up a team. This happened about a year back when I started working with a couple of composers, the whole team was set up, and now we have created some songs.”

With Benaras Beat, Anubhav Sinha is finally bringing an idea he has nurtured for years to life. The filmmaker is now looking to explore music beyond films and create new songs with the team he has put together. For Sinha, the label is not just another venture but an extension of a passion that has been part of his life since childhood, offering audiences a glimpse into a different side of his creativity.

Also Read: Anubhav Sinha reveals how he convinced Waheeda Rehman to join his upcoming film; says, “I promised to feed her the best food in Lucknow”



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Ramayana makers unveil new poster featuring Yash as Ravana after special event with MrBeast

The makers of Ramayana have unveiled a new official poster featuring Yash as Ravana, following a special event attended by global internet personality MrBeast. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the two-part epic stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana.

Yash’s portrayal of Ravana was already glimpsed in the trailer released a couple of months ago. The newly released poster offers another look at his interpretation of the character, with the actor seen in an elaborate royal appearance.

In the poster, Yash is dressed in a heavily embellished golden crown featuring gemstones, along with layered pearl necklaces and gold bracelets. His intense expression and imposing appearance form the focus of the visual, offering another glimpse of how Ravana has been designed for the film.

The poster comes shortly after the makers hosted a special event where MrBeast was present. The latest reveal adds to the promotional campaign around the upcoming epic ahead of its theatrical release.

Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash Lead Ramayana

Ramayana features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman.

The film is based on the Indian epic and is being mounted as a two-part project. It will be released in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam in India.

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana is produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios in association with DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations.

The film is scheduled for a worldwide IMAX release, with Ramayana: Part 1 arriving during Diwali 2026, followed by Ramayana: Part 2 in Diwali 2027.

Also Read: Ramayana makers drop new poster featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Ravie Dubey after a special event with MrBeast



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Ramayana makers drop new poster featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Ravie Dubey after a special event with MrBeast

Ramayana, produced by Namit Malhotra and directed by Nitesh Tiwari, is one of the most anticipated films of 2026. With every asset, from its teaser to its trailer, the excitement surrounding the film has been continuously soaring. Now, amidst the rising exhilaration, the makers have dropped an endearing poster featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Ravie Dubey as Lord Ram, Mata Sita and Lakshman, respectively.

In the poster of Ramayana, Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram looks composed, calm and courageous, carrying an aura of nobility with effortless grace. On the other hand, Sai Pallavi radiates grace, innocence, devotion, patience and fearlessness as Mata Sita, while Ravie Dubey as Lakshman stands as a true embodiment of loyalty, love and protectiveness. The poster holds immense significance as it brings Lord Ram, Mata Sita and Lakshman together in a single frame, making it a truly special moment in this epic.

The poster further fuels the excitement to witness Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Ravie Dubey bring these iconic characters to life on the big screen. In many ways, the casting has been one of the most crucial aspects of the project, and this poster says it all.

 

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Bringing to life one of the greatest tales ever told, Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana seeks to translate the epic’s scale, emotion and timeless characters into a cinematic spectacle. Ranbir Kapoor essays Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi plays Sita, Yash takes on the role of Ravana, Sunny Deol portrays Hanuman, while Ravie Dubey plays Lakshman. The film will be released in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam in India.

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios in association with 8-time Oscar-winning DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations, the two-part epic will release worldwide in IMAX, with Part 1 arriving in Diwali 2026 and Part 2 in Diwali 2027.

Also Read: VIRAL moment: Ranbir Kapoor teaches MrBeast to say “Jai Shri Ram”; Namit Malhotra explains Ramayana’s bow challenge to MrBeast with The Odyssey reference



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Saturday, 26 September 2026

BREAKING: FIRST-EVER film event at Mumbai’s CSMT; Rajkummar Rao-starrer Prahaar trailer to launch at the very station that witnessed the 26/11 attacks

Maddock Films is gearing up for a unique trailer launch for its upcoming courtroom drama Prahaar: The Untold Story Of Ujjwal Nikam. The trailer will be unveiled on the evening of September 29 at Mumbai’s iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). Rajkummar Rao, Wamiqa Gabbi, Dinesh Vijan, Ujjwal Nikam and director Avinash Arun are expected to be present at the event.

The choice of venue is deeply connected to the film’s subject. Prahaar revisits some of the defining legal battles handled by noted public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, with a major focus on the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and the prosecution of Ajmal Kasab.

CSMT was itself one of the locations attacked on the night of November 26, 2008. Kasab, the sole surviving attacker captured alive, was subsequently prosecuted in a special court, with Nikam serving as the special public prosecutor. The trailer launch therefore takes Prahaar back to a location intrinsically linked with the events at the heart of its story.

CSMT has witnessed celebrity activities earlier, though a full-fledged film trailer launch at the station is unusual. In 2019, Kangana Ranaut promoted Panga (2020) by sitting at a ticket counter and issuing local-train tickets to commuters. In 2018, Anupam Kher visited CSMT as part of Central Railway’s passenger-safety initiative and public awareness campaign called 'Ek Safar Rail Ke Saath'.

With Prahaar, CSMT is set to host what is believed to be its first-ever full-fledged film promotional event. While the trailer launch will take place at a comparatively less congested section of the iconic railway terminus, it will nevertheless be held during the evening peak hours. With Rajkummar Rao, Wamiqa Gabbi, Dinesh Vijan and Ujjwal Nikam expected to attend, it remains to be seen how the organizers and railway authorities manage the crowd and ensure that regular commuter movement remains unaffected.

Also Read: Ratna Pathak Shah opens up on sharing screen space with Ranveer Singh: “He’s a confident man”



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India Ke Top 1%: Anil Kapoor reveals wife Sunita's Queen moment; says she went on honeymoon without him

Anil Kapoor recently opened up about his relationship with wife Sunita Kapoor while discussing travelling alone on the upcoming episode of India Ke Top 1%: The Anil Kapoor Show. A passing reference to Kangana Ranaut’s 2013 film Queen led the actor to share a personal anecdote about Sunita and their honeymoon.

During the conversation, Anil was reminded of Sunita when the topic of travelling alone came up. Recalling an incident from their early years together, he said, “Sunita akele gayi thi honeymoon par, main saath mein nahi gaya tha.” The actor then added an affectionate note while referring to his wife as his own Queen. Anil said, “Sunita hi meri Queen hai, aur hamesha rahegi.”

Anil and Sunita Kapoor have been married since 1984 and have three children, Sonam Kapoor, Rhea Kapoor and Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor. Over the years, the couple has often spoken about their long-standing relationship and family life.

The anecdote comes during an episode of India Ke Top 1%: The Anil Kapoor Show, where conversations around general topics often lead the actor to share personal stories. In this instance, a discussion about travelling solo brought up the story of Sunita travelling alone for their honeymoon, before Anil drew a connection to Queen and described his wife as the Queen in his life.

India Ke Top 1%: The Anil Kapoor Show airs this weekend at 8 PM on Star Plus and streams on JioHotstar.

Also Read: Anil Kapoor appeals to CEOs to consider Shiv Kumar after contestant shares job loss story on India Ke Top 1%: “Shiv Kumar se zaroor contact kijiye”



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Friday, 25 September 2026

Shilpa Shetty, Arjun Kapoor, and more discuss happiness at India’s FIRST World Happpiness Summit: "Gratitude is something that you have to practice"

India’s first World Happpiness Summit concluded today at New Horizon College of Engineering, Bengaluru, drawing a full-day audience into a conversation the country rarely pauses for: what does it truly take to be happy? Hosted by Happpy AiR – Atman in Ravi, the Happpiness Ambassador, the summit brought together voices from entertainment, public life, entrepreneurship, spirituality, wellness and social leadership, and closed with a collective resolve to make Bengaluru the world’s happiest city.

Positioned as India’s first World Happpiness Summit, the day-long gathering was built around the idea that lasting happiness rests on three pillars, Pleasure, Peace and Purpose, the three Ps that give the brand its distinctive spelling. In a city celebrated as India’s technology and innovation capital, the summit sought to add a new dimension to Bengaluru’s identity, one that places wellbeing and fulfilment alongside ambition and growth.

The morning session opened with the lighting of the lamp and an invocation, followed by Dr. Kiran Bedi on the Fundamentals of Happiness and Arjun Kapoor on The Secret of Happiness. A panel on Success and Happiness brought together Govind Mahtani, Shareen, Nikhil Kamath and Hema Sardesai, while a second panel explored the Manifestation of Happiness through Attraction with Dr. Amiett Kumar, Tarun Mishra, Rohit Khandelwal and Bhupendra Singh. Dr. Saamdu Chetri, a pioneer of Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness philosophy, offered a global perspective on measuring wellbeing over wealth.

The afternoon carried the momentum forward with Sonu Sharma on How to Be Happy Every Day and Aisshwarya DKS on The Science of Happiness. A panel on The Art of Being Happy featured Sruthi Hariharan, Preetika Rao, Archika Sudhanshu, Dr. Aadhyaa Kumar and Renuka Goswami. Bringing the marquee sessions to a close, Shilpa Shetty spoke on The 3 Keys to Eternal Happiness, weaving together the wellness and positivity that have long defined her public life.

Through the day, the summit also presented the Champion Awards, honouring individuals and organisations that foster positive work environments and champion the wellbeing of their people, extending the happiness conversation from the personal to the workplace.

Reflecting on the day, Happpy AiR – Atman in Ravi, the Happpiness Ambassador said, “Today, hundreds of people came together not to chase happiness, but to experience it, and that is the shift we set out to create. Happiness is not a reward we earn at the end of a long climb. It is a way of living, made of Pleasure, Peace and Purpose. If Bengaluru can lead the world in technology and enterprise, it can just as surely lead the world in happiness. This summit is not a conclusion, it is the beginning of a larger movement to make this a Happy World.”

Speaking at the summit, Dr. Kiran Bedi said, “Before you desire something, ask yourself, ‘Do I really deserve it?’ If you don’t, put it off, work for it and earn it. Happiness also comes from the way we look at the challenges in our lives. If we see every problem as an opportunity for growth, a challenge or a lesson to be learnt, it helps us discover what we are truly capable of and what we have within us. Self-talk is equally important you can be your own teacher. You can talk loudly, silently or simply within, but that conversation with yourself can help you understand, learn and grow.”

Reflecting on his session, Arjun Kapoor said, “We often associate happiness with success, achievements and moments of pleasure, while overlooking the importance of finding peace within and having a deeper sense of purpose. The idea of Pleasure, Peace and Purpose coming together resonated deeply with me. For me, happiness is about being present, understanding myself better, appreciating the journey and finding meaning beyond the highs and lows of everyday life. It reminded me that happiness is not something I need to constantly chase; it is something I can create through the way I choose to live, think and connect with myself and the people around me.”

Sharing her thoughts after her keynote, Shilpa Shetty said, “I think we all have our own way of being, and for me, I feel so much in gratitude. Gratitude is something that you have to practice. Even if something doesn’t go your way, I thank the Lord for it not happening. There are so many reasons for me to feel happy when you have good health and your family, there is every reason to feel happy. Whatever has to come your way is part of your journey. I think sometimes we tend to overlook the soul and focus only on the outer body and the name. When I interact with people, I interact on a soul level. I always say ‘Atma Namaste’ — it is my soul greeting you. I truly believe that we were all meant to meet, and if something shifts within us through that meeting, perhaps it was already meant to happen.”

The summit closed with a message from Happpy AiR – Atman in Ravi, “Let’s make this a Happy World, let’s make Bengaluru the world’s happiest city,” followed by a vote of thanks. The initiative is part of the larger #Happpy.AiR.Movement, which seeks to create a wider dialogue around happiness, inner peace and purposeful living.

Also Read: Shilpa Shetty, Arjun Kapoor to join Kiran Bedi, Jai Madaan and others at World Happpiness Summit 2026 in Bengaluru



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From 90-second fad to MEGA BUSINESS: Microdramas get a dedicated spotlight at FICCI FRAMES alongside cinema, OTT, AI and reality TV

Microdramas are no longer being discussed only inside startup offices and short-video companies. The format is now entering one of India...