iWorld
The Spotlight is on creative rascals’ ‘Spiti Valley’ as nexGTv & Imtiaz Ali announce May winners
MUMBAI: In an announcement that has been eagerly awaited by content developers across the nation, nexGTv, India’s largest subscription-led video entertainment app, has revealed the names of the May winners of its SPOTLight initiative. The winners were selected by renowned director and master storyteller Imtiaz Ali from amongst the top 5 most viewed videos for the month of May.
Delhi-based production house Creative Rascals’ travelogue ‘Spiti Valley’ was selected as the winner by Imtiaz for its charming portrayal of the picturesque locale of Spiti. The runner-up position went to Ahammed Khabber’s ‘I4U’ and its powerful social message of eye donation. nexGTv will be supporting the creative endeavours of the winner and the runner-up with cash rewards of INR 1 lakh and INR 25000 respectively.
Speaking on the announcement, Abhesh Verma, COO, nexGTv, said, “As a talent discovery platform, SPOTLight has been garnering rave reviews from both content developers and viewers owing to its differentiated and user-relevant content. With Imtiaz on board judging the top entries, SPOTLight presents an opportunity of a lifetime for most creators looking to gain visibility and prove their credentials. We are very excited to have unearthed and supported so much budding talent through the initiative and are eagerly looking forward at greater participation from the country’s upcoming generation of imaginative story tellers.”
Founded and operated by Aman Jain and Shailesh Gandhi, Creative Rascals is a Delhi-based production house. The group has created content in different genres such as travelogues, food shows, ad films, corporate films and weddings, and has been involved with some top-notch clients such as Cox & Kings, Sapient, Modo and Iffco-Tokio. Ahammed Khabber, on the other hand, is a 27-year-old MBA graduate who is currently serving as an Assistant Director for popular Kerala-based TV channel Mazhavil Manorama. One of his earlier videos, ‘Passive Smoking’, was also selected as the runner-up on SPOTLight for the month of February.
Imtiaz Ali added, “From social messaging to commentaries on daily life, from fusion music to spooky horror stories, some of the SPOTLight entries have simply blown my mind away due to the freshness of their content and their innovative approach. Having seen the precocious creations on display, I am absolutely delighted to be associated with the project. I am expecting more people to participate in SPOTLight in the future and showcase their artistic flair in front of a nationwide audience.”
As a platform to upload and monetise their offering, SPOTLight has been gathering an extremely enthusiastic response from content creators across the country with videos being received right from Baramulla in Jammu & Kashmir to Kottayam in Kerala. With a Modern Master in Imtiaz at the helm, SPOTLight is an opportunity of a lifetime for individuals across the country to test their mettle. So don’t wait! Enter your creations on www.nexgtvspotlight.com today!
iWorld
Prime Video and Hrithik Roshan reunite for quirky heist comedy Mess
HRX Films expands pact with quirky heist comedy set for production
MUMBAI: Prime Video is doubling down on its partnership with Hrithik Roshan, announcing a new comedy film Mess that promises chaos, chuckles and a clever twist on the classic heist.
Produced by Hrithik Roshan and Eshaan Roshan under HRX Films, a division of FilmKraft Productions, the film is being made in association with Soda Films Lab. Directed by Rajesh A Krishnan, Mess marks the second collaboration between the streaming platform and HRX Films after the upcoming thriller Storm.
At the heart of Mess lies an unusual premise. A group of robbers break into the home of a man with OCD, only to find themselves outmatched in a night-long standoff that flips the script on who is really in control. It is a set-up that blends tension with humour, turning a break-in into a breakdown of expectations.
Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok said, “A good story should surprise and entertain, and Mess does both with ease. It brings together a unique premise, memorable characters and a tone that keeps you laughing throughout.”
He added that the collaboration with HRX Films continues to grow stronger, with the new film reflecting a shared appetite for bold and original storytelling.
Hrithik Roshan said, “After Storm, Mess feels like a natural next step in our journey with Prime Video. The film captures the kind of unconventional storytelling we want to champion, with Rajesh bringing a distinctive voice to the narrative.”
Director Rajesh A Krishnan said, “The world of Mess is a mix of comedy and chaos, unusual enough to keep audiences on edge while still delivering humour. It has been a deeply collaborative and creatively fulfilling experience.”
The original screenplay comes from Paul Soter, with adaptation and dialogues by Kapil Sawant, adding another layer of craft to the film’s offbeat narrative.
As production gears up, Mess looks ready to live up to its name, serving up a delightful tangle of mayhem, mischief and movie magic for audiences in India and beyond.
