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Tag: Shashank Khaitan

  • Game, set, parent – Mumbai gears up for a family Pickleball face-off

    Game, set, parent – Mumbai gears up for a family Pickleball face-off

    MUMBAI: Get ready for a match made in family heaven where rackets meet responsibility and parents trade school runs for serves. Global Sports Pickleball (GSP) is hosting the School Parents Pickleball Championship at Mumbai’s Andheri Sports Complex on 1 and 2 November 2025, inviting mums and dads to swap their weekend routines for volleys, laughter, and a dash of friendly rivalry.

    The event is designed to bring families together, turning the court into a playground of fun, fitness, and festive energy. As pickleball fever grips India, this championship captures the sport’s rare ability to bridge generations with parents taking centre court while their children cheer from the sidelines.

    Parents from some of Mumbai’s most prominent schools including Oberoi International School, Jamnabai Narsee International School, Aditya Birla World Academy, Utpal Shanghvi Global School, Shishuvan School, and Edubridge International School will swap their everyday hustle for a high-energy weekend rally.

    But this isn’t your average tournament. Think more carnival than competition. Expect food stalls, music, children’s activities, and a festive family vibe that promises to keep both players and spectators engaged. It’s not just about aces and dinks, it’s about shared moments and spirited memories.

    “Pickleball is so much more than a game. It’s about connection and community,” said GSP chief architect for pickleball growth Hemal Jain. “The School Parents Pickleball Championship gives families a reason to spend the weekend together in the most active and exciting way possible. There are no age limits, no barriers just pure fun, friendly competition, and family spirit.”

    Adding a cinematic spin to the event GSP writer, producer director and co-founder Shashank Khaitan said, “This championship is about celebrating families and creating memories. We can’t wait to see parents and kids share the same enthusiasm on and off the court. It is all about joy, laughter, and togetherness.”

    With pickleball emerging as one of India’s fastest-growing sports, the tournament shines a light on its accessibility and community-driven charm. GSP’s initiative brings together fitness and family time, blending competition with connection, and showing that sometimes, the best rallies happen off the court too.

    So this November, Mumbai’s parents won’t just be watching from the stands, they’ll be serving, smashing, and scoring… all in the name of family fun.

     

  • Pickleball goes under the hammer as GSP sets stage for Season 2 auction

    Pickleball goes under the hammer as GSP sets stage for Season 2 auction

    MUMBAI: The paddles are ready, and so is the gavel. Global Sports Pickleball (GSP) is set to host India’s first-ever live pickleball auction on 7 September 2025 in Mumbai, marking a defining moment for the fast-rising racquet sport. Season 2 of the Pro & Challenger League will see ten franchises bidding for five players each across both categories, making it the biggest player pool ever assembled for an Indian pickleball auction. For fans at home and abroad, the action will stream live on GSP’s official Youtube channel, turning the auction itself into a spectator sport.

    This milestone comes as GSP continues to build a full-fledged ecosystem for pickleball. Over the past two years, the organisation has gone beyond tournaments developing courts, retailing gear, and running grassroots clinics in India and Dubai. Its league calendar already includes flagship events like the Indian Open and the Grand Slam, both designed to put Indian pickleball on the global sporting map.

    GSP chief architect of pickleball growth Hemal Jain explained: “From grassroots clinics to national academies, our vision has been to craft a robust foundation for pickleball in India. This auction for our 2nd season is more than a sporting event, it’s a pivotal step in our shared journey to place pickleball on the world stage.”

    Hindi filmmaker and GSP co-founder Shashank Khaitan added: “Pickleball is no longer the hidden star of the racquet sports world, it’s ready for its moment. With this auction and Season 2 of the League, we’re not just creating teams; we’re creating benchmarks. And a platform where dreams can come true.”

    With ten teams, two categories, and a first-of-its-kind live auction, Season 2 of the Pro & Challenger League promises to be a turning point one where India doesn’t just play pickleball but takes it mainstream.

  • Amit Dhanuka embarks on a collaborative journey with Shashank Khaitan at Mentor Disciple Entertainment

    Amit Dhanuka embarks on a collaborative journey with Shashank Khaitan at Mentor Disciple Entertainment

    Mumbai: Amit Dhanuka, a seasoned industry leader with a rich background in shaping the Indian entertainment landscape, has joined forces with acclaimed filmmaker Shashank Khaitan at Mentor Disciple Entertainment as a partner.

    Bringing a wealth of experience garnered from a successful tenure at Lionsgate Play India, where he played a pivotal role in the establishment of Lionsgate Play in India and Southeast Asia, Dhanuka assumes a key position as a partner. Together, the duo will be working towards creating theatrical movies and web series, along with a diverse range of content for various platforms.

    In a career spanning over 25 years, Dhanuka has played instrumental roles at Lionsgate Play, Star TV, Zee, and Sony.

    Mentor Disciple recently partnered with Trigger Happy Studios and Hakuhodo for a multi-slate engagement.

    Talking about the collaboration, Shashank Khaitan remarked, “I am super excited to partner with Amit Dhanuka in Mentor Disciple Entertainment. This partnership is personally and professionally special to me in equal measure. Our association dates back 16 years, as Amit is a friend of the family and one of the first people I interacted with in a professional capacity, fresh out of film school. His experience of over 25 years in the film industry with Zee, Star, Sony and his last stint with Lionsgate adds a great dimension to Mentor Disciple Entertainment. Collectively our vision is to grow MDE into a company creating local and global content. We want to be the focal point, where established talent and new talent can find a home and express their voices.”

    Amit Dhanuka echoed Khaitan’s sentiment, stating, “I am thrilled to be partnering with Shashank in the next phase of my career as we set up Mentor Disciple Entertainment to be the destination for content and talent. I have always admired Shashank’s work and creativity. We share common values which are reflected in the name of our company. Our shared vision for the company, grounded in integrity and creativity, fuels our ambition to cultivate a diverse ecosystem where talent flourishes and authentic narratives resonate with audiences worldwide.”

    With a strategic alliance forged on mutual admiration and a collective commitment to excellence, Amit Dhanuka and Shashank Khaitan are poised to chart a transformative course in the Indian entertainment industry.

  • DroneAcharya and Whistling Woods launch drone centric courses for filmmaking

    DroneAcharya and Whistling Woods launch drone centric courses for filmmaking

    Mumbai: The stage was set aglow with stars and drones as DroneAcharya Aerial Innovations Limited, India’s first Listed  Drone Startup and a DGCA certified drone training organization, collaborated with the esteemed Whistling Woods  International to unveil a dazzling array of drone-centric courses in Mumbai. The event,graced by luminaries such as Whistling Woods International founder & chief mentor Subhash Ghai, and Indian cinema stalwarts  Karan Johar and Shashank Khaitan, Meghna Puri Ghai and Rahul Puri, celebrated the convergence of film-making and cutting-edge drone technology.

    This collaboration introduces a groundbreaking suite of Drone – centric courses that are set to revolutionize the world of  film making and cinematography. This exciting collaboration promises to provide aspiring filmmakers and drone  enthusiasts with the knowledge and skills they need to soar to new heights in the industry.

    The launch of these courses is a significant milestone in the ever – evolving landscape of drone technology, marking a transformation in the way drones are integrated into various sectors. The courses are designed to cater to the diverse interests of students, including Aerial Cinematography, DGCA certified drone pilot training, Geographic Information  System (GIS) for Drones, and even Drone Building. This comprehensive range of offerings ensures that students  gain hands-on experience in the field of filmmaking, creating virtual environments through drone surveys for animation and VFX and are well – prepared for a future in the drone industry.

    DroneAcharya, known for its pioneering role in drone training and innovation, has rapidly become a driving force in the Indian drone ecosystem. They are the first Private DGCA certified drone training organization to achieve over 550 drone pilot training. The collaboration with Whistling Woods International, led by Ghai, is a testament to their dedication to fostering innovation in filmmaking and education.

    “We’ve had drones as a part of our curriculum for a long time. However, earlier this year, the Central Government announced the liberalized Drone policy for the nation, and in lieu of that, we’ve decided to partner with an  organization known as DroneAcharya, which is a publicly listed company, to set up programs specifically meant for  drone courses,” added Whistling Woods International VP, business head & emerging media head Chaitanya Chinchlikar.

    DroneAcharya founder & managing editor Prateek Srivastava commented, “This partnership with Whistling  Woods International is a giant leap forward in our mission to democratize drone education in India. We believe  that our courses will not only equip students with the necessary skills but also inspire them to push the boundaries of creative expression through drones.”

    “This is a revolutionary convergence of art, technology and applications. The collaborative effort between DroneAcharya  and Whistling Woods International is set to make Mumbai a hub for drone education and innovation in the film  industry. The courses will be taught by industry experts and professionals who bring a wealth of experience to the classroom,” added DroneAcharya Aerial Innovations CTO Amit Takte.

    DroneAcharya director – HR & culture Nikita Srivastava also commented, “Adding to the theme ofCelebrate  Cinema 2023, the future of storytelling is definitely going to be the adoption of advanced technologies like Drone  and Artificial Intelligence. Apart from this, we look up to the highly influential and nationally – recognized network of individuals to spread awareness about the legalization of drones. This will contribute, in a big way, to the vision of our  Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, of making India a Global Drone Hub by 2030.” 
    Enrollments for the drone-centric courses are now open, and interested individuals can visit the official websites of DroneAcharya and Whistling Woods International for more information and registration details.

  • Manyavar launches sequel to Viruskha ad

    Manyavar launches sequel to Viruskha ad

    MUMBAI: Manyavar released a new ad – “Naye Rishtey, Naye Vaade- Hamesha” – taking forward the story of Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma in the ad. It continues the playful romance of the pair at yet another yaar ki shaadi. Dressed in a mid-night blue double-breasted Indo-western outfit with an asymmetrical cut, Virat, complements Anushka, who looks mesmerising in an ivory coloured, hand embroidered lehenga.

    In the ad, Virushka leave no stone unturned to warn their soon to be married friends about the realities of marriage.

    Commenting on the campaign, Virat said, “I loved Manyavar’s unique collection for the season. There are lots of different hues and cuts in store this season. For myself, I chose a very stylish double breasted outfit with an asymmetrical cut. I think it made me look really suave.”

    Speaking about the ad, Anushka said “The youth will definitely resonate with it, especially young couples. Manyavar and Mohey have become brands that the youth have come to relate to. Their communication tends to be entertaining yet drives home a message which is extremely contemporary.”

    The director of the ad, Dhadak and Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya fame, Shashank Khaitan said, “I rarely take on ad film projects, but I was really excited at the prospect of working on Manyavar and Mohey. We wanted to continue the element of relatability of the ad, and with the right treatment of light-hearted banter the film beautifully focuses on love and happiness in spite of differences.”

    As someone rightly said, “A good dress can make you remember what is beautiful about life.” So if you have a wedding to attend this season, you know where to head for your wardrobe fix!

  • Dharma earns Rs 100 crore opening weekend in 2014

    Dharma earns Rs 100 crore opening weekend in 2014

    MUMBAI: Dharma Productions had a busy 2014 with a romance hat trick in the first half of the year – Hasee Toh Phasee along with Phantom Production, 2 States along with Nadiadwala Grandsons & UTV; and Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania in July.  With its last release Ungli, Dharma has become a production house with probably the widest range of film varieties this year.

     

    All the films had something unique about them – right from a romedy with a fresh storyline, to a bestseller adaptation, to a tribute to legendary Bollywood love stories. Whereas, Ungli was film from a genre unknown to Dharma until now. This year, Dharma also became the launchpad for three more promising directors – Vinil Matthew (Hasee Toh Phasee), Abhishek Varman (2 States) and Shashank Khaitan (Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania). Ungli was Rensil D’silva’s second outing with Dharma.

     

    With the audience accepting all these films with open arms, Dharma Productions is set for an exciting line-up in next two years. It will be exploring multiple collaborations and giving an opportunity to many new talents.

     

    Here’s to the youth power.

  • ‘Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania’…Join the party

    ‘Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania’…Join the party

    MUMBAI: The title may sound confusing. Who is this Humpty Sharma? He is no legendary lover on whom tomes may have been written. It does not give away much except that the story/ scenario would obviously be set against the background of a Delhi Punjabi family. And perhaps that is something about the Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge to it? Why not. After all, Dil Wale Dulhania… was an all-time hit, so what’s wrong with borrowing a bit from there?

    Varun Dhawan shyly confesses that he was a very fat child and that is how he was nicknamed Humpty. Not bad considering he could have been nicknamed Sweety or Dimppy, which could be gender defying. Varun heads a gang of three including himself in a Delhi college. The other two are Gaurav Pandey and Sahil Vaid. As in all filmy colleges, you only have a campus with a loosely hung signboard declaring that the premises is a college. He is popular with girls around for no apparent reason except that he is the hero of the story. Despite being in Delhi, for a change, he is not the son of a halwai but, as he says, the only ‘waris of the famous Vidhya Book Store’ which caters to college students’ requirements.

    For a change, Varun does not find his lady love from a college coed. She is an Ambala girl, Alia Bhatt, who is in Delhi to attend her friend’s wedding. Actually, no Punjabi love story can be told without involving a wedding. There she meets Varun who wants to date her, which she does not mind until she gets married to an NRI a few week hence. A little net practice never hurt anybody.

    This is the first man Alia has ever been exposed to. All her life she has been brought up to believe in following the family tradition: marry the guy dad chooses. Dad, Ashutosh Rana, himself has had a love marriage but since then, he has had a reason not to trust such a liaison. But apart from that, Rana is okay with giving his daughter all the freedom she wants. So she takes off for Delhi to spend time with her friend, Guncha Narula, who is due to marry soon as well as to buy a Rs 5 lakh wedding dress for herself—because Guncha has bought one worth Rs 2.5 lakh!

    Producers: Hiroo Johar, Karan Johar.

    Director: Shashank Khaitan.

    Cast: Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Ashutosh Rana, Siddharth Shukla, Kenneth Desai, Gaurav Pandey, Sahil Vaid, Mahnaz Damania, Deepika Amin, Guncha Narula, Jaswant Daman.

    Varun, quite popular in college, sees this new girl in town and as is wont of any Delhi boy, piles on. Alia is the kind who can take a Delhi boy in her stride but quite enjoys Varun’s company. Varun, on his part, has fallen head over heels. The happy days are over and Alia has to return to Ambala as her NRI fiancé is due to arrive. That is when Alia also owns up to her deep love for Varun.

    Back in Ambala, Alia has only one option and that is to forget Varun and get ready for her marriage with this NRI doctor, Siddharth Shukla. Varun chases Alia to Ambala only to be beaten black and blue by her brother and his goons. Varun is unrelenting. Shukla is arriving and Rana decides to offer Varun a chance so as to avoid any tamasha during the wedding. It is five days till wedding, Varun’s job is to hang around Shukla and find some fault in him for Rana to call off Alia’s wedding with him. But, one look at the fiancé and Varun loses all hope. He is a perfect stud with no blemish at all. Since Gaurav and Sahil are also with Varun, the fun and repartees continue. 

    Despite the latter half of the film revisiting Yashraj Films’ all-time hit, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, it is all well done. The film’s writer/director deserve all the credit for coming up with a very plausible take on Dilwale…., with a taut script peppered with witty exchanges between characters. There are some loose ends like disappearance of Shukla from the scene suddenly! The film also has the advantage of some peppy numbers in ‘Saturday Saturday’…., ‘Lucky tu lucky me’…. and a melody in ‘Samjhawan’…albeit all with heavy Punjabi flavour.

    Varun along with Gaurav and Sahil make sure one stays entertained. Alia does well, not going overboard in dramatic scenes. Rana is good while Shukla makes an impact despite a brief role. The supporting cast is adequate.

    Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania is a joyride for youth and an entertainer that also caters to other age groups. While its business may be affected to a degree due to Ramzan month, it is generally a moneymaker.