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The “Arkestra” culture refers to a form of live entertainment, particularly popular in parts of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand, where stage performances combine music, dance, and theatrics. These shows are often modeled after Bollywood and Bhojpuri film songs, featuring elaborate dance routines. However, in certain regions, particularly Bihar, this culture has taken a darker turn. What originally started as a folk entertainment tradition has, in some instances, become a front for exploitation and obscenity, particularly affecting young girls and women. Many performances cater primarily to an adult male audience, with dancers often being coerced into suggestive or vulgar acts. Reports and investigations have highlighted cases where underage girls are forced into these performances, facing harassment, abuse, and even trafficking under the pretense of entertainment.

In 2022, India witnessed a staggering 8.7% increase in child abuse cases, reaching a total of 162,000 incidents, as reported by the National Crime Records Bureau (Ncrb). In 2022 alone,...

Exclusive: A pair of German production houses has teamed for animated adventure feature Tafiti — Across the Desert, which Sola Media is launching at AFM.

Tradewind Pictures and Little Dream Entertainment are making the CGI-animated film in association with compatriot Sola, and production has begun in Germany. Nina Wels is directing with veteran animation director Timo Berg a core part of the team. Helmut G. Weber and Thomas Springer are producing.

Tafiti is being made in English and scheduled for release in 2025. Sola, which is part of the Embracer group-owned Plaion (fka Koch Media), has worldwide sales and will unveil first footage in Santa Monica next week.

Synopsis reads: “When Tafiti, a young meerkat, meets Bristles, the bush pig, he knows they can’t be friends. ‘Meerkats stick to their own!’ is what grandpa has always told him,...