Makers of national award winning film Hellaro announce new Gujarati project: Dhabkaaro

By Jag Jivan

National Award-winning filmmaker Abhishek Shah has commenced shooting his highly anticipated Gujarati film, Dhabkaaro, featuring a stellar cast led by veteran actor Deven Bhojani and talented performer Aarjav Trivedi. The film, currently in production at various locations across Gujarat, is poised to be a heartwarming entertainer, exploring themes of humor, liberation, and forgiveness against the backdrop of Gujarat’s rich cultural and spiritual tapestry.

Abhishek Shah, who received critical acclaim for his debut feature Hellaro, which earned the National Award for Best Feature Film in 2019, has solidified his reputation as a director with a profound understanding of socially and culturally resonant narratives. Set in the Kutch desert, Hellaro poignantly depicted women's struggles and resilience through the art of folk dance, achieving both critical and commercial success.

Following his debut, Shah went on to direct Umbarro (2025), a family comedy-drama. This film followed the transformative journey of seven Gujarati women from rural backgrounds who, for the first time, embark on an international trip to London. Their journey, filled with cultural clashes and language barriers, becomes a powerful exploration of identity, courage, and self-discovery.

Shah's recent work also includes his contributions as a writer and producer for the film Kamthaan (2024), directed by Dhrunad Kamle. The film is an adaptation of a novella by the celebrated Gujarati author Ashwini Bhatt. Set in a small town, the satirical story delves into the stigmatization of a historically marginalized tribe branded as criminal. Shah's involvement ensured that the film maintained the essence of Bhatt's sharp social commentary while bringing the narrative vividly to the screen.

Abhishek Shah shared his artistic vision, saying, “As a filmmaker, I have always believed that human emotions are the heartbeat of every story. From Hellaro to Umbarro and now Dhabkaaro, my only wish has been to create films that not only entertain but also resonate with the audience for a long time.”

Adding to the excitement, producer Aayush Patel of Harfanmaula Films expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Our greatest wish has always been to tell stories that feel timeless and universal. Hellaro was born out of that dream, and with Dhabkaaro, we once again hope to touch hearts in the same way.”

The film is a joint production by Harfanmaula Films and The Moving Manch. The producers include Amar Desai, Yatin Panchasara, Kandisa Panchasara, Jaymin B. Patel, Aayush Patel, Abhishek Shah, Mit Jani, and Prateek Gupta. The technical crew features cinematographer Tribhuvan Babu Sadineni, production designer Chirayu Bodas, costume designer Niki Joshi, music director Mehul Surti, sound designer Yash Darji, and editor Vaishnavi Krishnan.

Dhabkaaro is anticipated to continue Shah’s legacy of creating meaningful and thought-provoking Gujarati cinema. The film is slated for a summer 2026 release.

Comments

Academics urge Azim Premji University to drop FIR against Student Reading Circle

By A Representative A group of academics and civil society members has issued an open letter to the leadership of Azim Premji University expressing concern over the filing of a police complaint that led to an FIR against a student-run reading circle following a recent incident of violence on campus. The signatories state that they hold the university in high regard for its commitment to constitutional values, critical inquiry and ethical public engagement, and argue that it is precisely because of this reputation that the present development is troubling.

'Policy long overdue': Coalition of 29 experts tells JP Nadda to act on SC warning label order

By A Representative In a significant development for public health, the Supreme Court of India has directed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to seriously consider implementing mandatory front-of-pack warning labels on pre-packaged food products. The order, passed by a bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan on February 10, 2026, comes as the Court expressed dissatisfaction with the regulatory body's progress on the issue.

When tourism meets tribal law: The Vanajangi dispute in Andhra Pradesh

By Palla Trinadha Rao A writ petition presently before the High Court of Andhra Pradesh has brought into focus an increasingly important question in the governance of tribal regions: can eco-tourism projects in Scheduled Areas be implemented without the consent of the Gram Sabha? The case concerns the establishment of a Community Based Eco-Tourism centre at Vanajangi village in Paderu Mandal of Alluri Sitarama Raju District, a region located within the Scheduled Areas of Andhra Pradesh.

UAPA action against Telangana activist: Criminalising legitimate democratic activity?

By A Representative The National Investigation Agency's Hyderabad branch has issued notices to more than ten individuals in Telangana in connection with FIR No. RC-04/2025. Those served include activists, former student leaders, civil rights advocates, poets, writers, retired schoolteachers, and local leaders associated with the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Indian National Congress.

Vaccination vs screening: Policy questions raised on cervical cancer strategy

By A Representative A public policy expert has written to Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda raising a series of concerns regarding the national Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign launched on February 28 for 14-year-old girls.

The new anti-national certificate: If Arundhati Roy is the benchmark, count me in

By Dr. Mansee Bal Bhargava* Dear MANIT Alumni Network Committee, “Are you anti-national?” I encountered this fascinating—some may say intimidating—question from an elderly woman I barely know, an alumna of Maulana Azad College of Technology (MACT, now Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology - MANIT), Bhopal, and apparently one of the founders of the MACT (now MANIT) Alumni Network. The authority with which she posed the question was striking. “How much anti-national are you? What have you done for the Alumni Network Committee to identify you as anti-national?” When I asked what “anti-national” meant to her and who was busy certifying me as such, the response came in counter-questions.

The ultimate all-time ODI XI: A personal selection of icons across eras

By Harsh Thakor* This is my all-time best XI chosen for ODI (One Day International) cricket: 1. Adam Gilchrist (W) – The absolute master blaster who could create the impact of exploding gunpowder with his electrifying strokeplay. No batsman was more intimidating in his era. Often his knocks decided the fate of games as though the result were premeditated. He escalated batting strike rates to surreal realms.

Buddhist shrines were 'massively destroyed' by Brahmanical rulers: Historian DN Jha

Nalanda mahavihara By Rajiv Shah Prominent historian DN Jha, an expert in India's ancient and medieval past, in his new book , "Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History", in a sharp critique of "Hindutva ideologues", who look at the ancient period of Indian history as "a golden age marked by social harmony, devoid of any religious violence", has said, "Demolition and desecration of rival religious establishments, and the appropriation of their idols, was not uncommon in India before the advent of Islam".

Minority concerns mount: RTI reveals govt funded Delhi religious meet in December

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* Indian Muslims have expressed deep concern over what they describe as rising hate speech and hostility against their community under the BJP-led government in India. A recent flashpoint was the event organised by Sanatan Sanstha titled “Sanatan Rashtra Shankhnad Mahotsav” in New Delhi on 13–14 December 2025.

Search This Blog