
‘Kapiraj' by SCR Vijayawada bags top prize at All India Hindi drama fest
Central Railway General Manager Dharmaveer Meena presented the award to the winning team.
Vijayawada Divisional Railway Manager Narendra A. Patil, in a statement on Monday, congratulated the artists and said: 'This is the third consecutive year the division has won the top honour at the national-level competition.'
Additionally, the team also won several individual categories, including best director, lighting, stage setup, music and sound effects
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Rakul Preet Singh celebrates first day of new project with relaxing swim
Rakul Preet Singh is busy with several projects, including 'Pati Patni Aur Woh 2' and 'De De Pyaar De 2'. She shared a swim post after her first shoot day. Rakul also announced a film collaboration with Manish Malhotra and stars in 'Ramayana' and comedy 'Ameeri'. Rakul Preet Singh is keeping herself busy with a variety of promising projects lined up. Renowned for her acting skills, the actress has now embarked on a new film, and she recently shared a sneak peek with her fans of how she ended her first day of shooting. Posting on social media, she revealed her ideal way to relax after a long and tiring day on set. Unwinding post-shoot: A candid swimming moment In a candid moment shared on her Instagram Stories, Rakul showed herself unwinding with a swim right after finishing her shoot. Sporting a pink swimming cap and goggles, she looked glowing and refreshed. Alongside the image, Rakul wrote, 'Day 1 of shoot…Managed a swim post pack-up," followed by a red heart emoji. Fans eager as Rakul announces collaboration with Manish Malhotra Although Rakul has kept details of the project a secret, fans are eagerly anticipating what's next. Fueling the excitement further, she recently revealed her long-awaited partnership with renowned fashion designer Manish Malhotra. Posting a cheerful photo with him, she expressed, 'Yayyyyyy so so happpy to finally work on a film together… can't wait to bring your magic to the screen." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Best SIP Plans for NRIs in Serbia – Get ₹2L Monthly Pension | Invest ₹18K PB Learn More Undo Busy shooting for 'Pati Patni Aur Woh 2' and upcoming rom-com On the work front, Rakul is reportedly busy shooting for 'Pati Patni Aur Woh 2', directed by Mudassar Aziz. The movie is a sequel to Kartik Aaryan's film and stars her with Ayushmann Khurrana , Wamiqa Gabbi, and Tabu. She will also return in 'De De Pyaar De 2', where she will act again with Ajay Devgn, and R. Madhavan will play her father. The film is directed by Anshul Sharma and produced by Luv Ranjan and is one of the most awaited romantic comedies. Mythological role in ' Ramayana ' and upcoming comedy 'Ameeri' Apart from these, Rakul is also playing a big role in Nitesh Tiwari's mythological film 'Ramayana' as Surpanakha, Ravana's sister. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and Ravie Dubey. Besides these, she will be seen in a comedy called 'Ameeri' with the experienced actress Neena Gupta. "Get the latest updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."


Mint
8 hours ago
- Mint
AI-generated fiction content is out for audiences—and a lot of it is mythological
Creators and production houses are actively bringing out AI-generated fiction content across long and short formats, including web shows and micro-dramas, even as the online video space remains cluttered with multiple entertainment options. Many of these new titles are centred on mythology to tap collective heritage and engage Gen Z audiences with what they may have heard of within families and communities. While Collective Artists Network, formerly known as KWAN, a talent management and media company, has launched a 600-episode microdrama version of the Mahabharata, filmmaker Ram Madhvani has announced a mythological virtual reality universe with the first short film being an AI adaptation of the Bhagavad Gita. The aim is to not just marry scale and speed with cost efficiency but bring in drama-rich visuals, iconic characters and stories that everyone instantly recognizes. According to Madhvani, mythology has always been fertile ground for storytelling – it's symbolic, and timeless. They're not just stories – they're living philosophies that speak of identity, purpose, and morality in a way that transcends time. 'AI allows us to bring these layered, often abstract ideas to life with a new visual language. And in VR, you don't just watch the Ramayana or the Gita; rather, you feel like you're a part of it," Madhvani said. He added that the shift from observation to experience is deeply powerful and resonates with the viewers. 'Also, there's a spiritual hunger today for meaning, belonging and rootedness among the youth. Mythological narratives, especially Indian ones, offer that in abundance. With AI, we can honour their depth while making them accessible to a global and digitally native audience," he pointed out. With audiences deeply fragmented in the digital world and the wide prevalence of social media, the idea is to simply catch the consumer where they sit, according to Vijay Subramaniam, founder and CEO of Collective Artists Network. Concepts matter 'Technology is just an enabler; the core is still the story or concept. India is a land of stories, and we plan to tap into everything from temples and kings to figures like Kali, Durga and Shivaji," Subramaniam said. He added that while AI definitely eliminates expenses such as sets and studios, the bigger aim is to educate Gen Z audiences with these stories that they are likely to connect to. Some experts emphasized that while fully AI-generated content continues to evolve, current viewer preferences tend to favour selective AI integration—especially where it enhances but does not entirely replace the human element. Companies like Madhvani's have teams of technologists, researchers, AI engineers and traditional storytellers whose goal is not to use AI to replace human creativity but to expand it. This strategic use of AI can be effective in areas like special effects and animation. 'A standout example is Mahavatar Narsimha, an epic animated tale that leverages AI-supported animation to deliver a visually breathtaking experience. The film has not only impressed critics but also achieved commercial success at the box office," said Chandrashekar Mantha, partner and media and entertainment sector leader at Deloitte India. 'As AI continues to advance, its role in storytelling and visual production is shifting from novelty to necessity—reshaping creative industries in real time." Getting the edge That said, the advantages of freedom, flexibility and scale aside, some point out AI can be used to do more than tap into collective imagery and known stories. Dipankar Mukherjee, co-founder of StudioBlo, an AI-powered content studio, said given that AI helps hedge risks of telling new stories with lower costs, the need of the hour is to create new IPs (intellectual properties) so people don't get bored. 'AI has lowered the barrier to entry, so more people will experiment. But once the 'new toy' feeling wears off and the market is flooded with similar-looking AI work, the edge will belong to those who can fuse creative instinct with AI's potential. Machines can do a lot, but they can't replace the human knack for context, storytelling and emotional depth," said Manish Solanki, chief operating officer and co-founder of TheSmallBigIdea, a digital marketing agency. Solanki added that built-in drama-rich visuals, iconic characters and stories that everyone instantly recognizes make mythology a safe playground for testing AI's visual and storytelling chops. 'But here's the thing: it's starting to feel overdone. When too many creators dip into the same visual bank, it all starts to blend together. The real magic will come from people who use AI to create things we haven't seen before, not just reimagine what's already in our cultural memory. That's where creativity and context make all the difference," he added.


Hans India
11 hours ago
- Hans India
‘Unlocking The Wisdom of The Ramayana' brings out a ‘breezy' version of epic
Visakhapatnam: A partfrom the lead characters such as stoic Rama, Vishnu's avatar, His consort Sita, an embodiment of resilience, unwavering dedication and commitment, the devoted Hanuman, known for his unconditional devotion for Rama, the doting and protective brother Lakshmana, who shadowed his elder brother supporting him through thick and thin, the ten-headed Ravana, the king of Lanka, there are several characters in the 'Ramayana' that not just inspire readers but also offer timeless lessons even in today's modern world. Going beyond the theme centred on the triumph of good over evil and focusing on lesser-known characters of the epic, Talari Anand Mahesh has come up with a 'breezy' version of the Ramayana in the form of his maiden book 'Unlocking The Wisdom of The Ramayana'. Born in Vinukonda of the undivided Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh and raised in Delhi, Anand Mahesh's book dives deeper into the often-ignored characters of the Ramayana, offering life lessons and encouraging the younger generation to decipher the 'Itihaas', relatable even in today's scenario with ease. Even as Anand Mahesh has been fond of reading from childhood, the idea of writing the adapted version of the Ramayana germinated when he was flipping through the pages of the translated version of late Bibek Debroy's 'Valmiki Ramayana' written in three volumes. 'Back in 2022, I was so fascinated by its content. Each character has a story to narrate. However, I realised that people are not much aware of most of the other characters in the epic save the lead ones. Also, the situation and context are so relatable even now,' reasons Anand Mahesh. As most readers think twice before exploring the mythological genre, Anand Mahesh says that he decided to bring his own version of Itihaas-cum-self-help guide through 'Unlocking The Wisdom of The Ramayana'. 'It serves as a contemporary guide for modern readers who are hard-pressed for time,' he defines. Started in 2023, Anand Mahesh wrapped up writing the book in two years. Currently, the 220-pg book is available in e-commerce sites such as Amazon and Flipkart. 'The book 'Unlocking The Wisdom of The Ramayana' reflects my journey of conceptualising Itihaas and relevance of ancient wisdom through modern lens wherein perspectives of dharma, destiny and other themes are narrated in a relatable and simpler format.' Although Anand Mahesh tried his hands at writing articles on marketing and communication earlier, 'Unlocking The Wisdom of The Ramayana' is his first book. Going forward, Anand Mahesh, co-founder and managing director of Mavcomm Group, communication consulting and digital marketing firm, plans to translate his book in English into Hindi and Telugu.