iWorld
Watcho exclusives premieres pulse-pounding thriller ‘Flash’
Mumbai: Watcho Exclusives, the leading OTT platform from Dish TV India Ltd, has heated up this April with its captivating new mystery thriller series, ‘Flash,’ featuring Anshul Pandey, Sagar Kapoor, and Khawahish in lead roles. Directed by Shaurya Singh, the series unravels the gripping tale of a portrait photographer who finds himself ensnared in a web of mystery and deception when a routine shoot takes an unexpected turn. The enthralling series is exclusively available on the Watcho App starting 5 April 2024.
The story follows Vansh Kundra, a skilled portrait photographer, who embarks on what could be the pinnacle of his career with the mysterious Aksha Chauhan. Enticed by the promise of wealth, Vansh ventures into her lavish but secluded penthouse, only to be greeted by an unsettling atmosphere. As the session progresses, Aksha undergoes a startling transformation, shattering Vansh’s perception of reality. Delving deeper, Vansh realises he’s entered a tangled web of deceit, mystery, and secrets. Caught in a maze of illusions and deception, Vansh must decipher the truth behind Aksha’s identity and the sinister forces at play. Will Vansh be able to uncover the enigma surrounding Aksha in time, or will he become another pawn in her game? With each episode, ‘Flash’ peels back the layers of this twisted tale, leaving viewers breathless and yearning for answers.
Watcho is poised to mark its 5-year milestone in 2024, having delighted viewers with a diverse range of exclusive series across various genres like ‘Oh My Wife!’, ‘Luck Shots’, ‘Aarambh’, ‘GillHarry’, ‘Explosive’, ‘The Morning Show’, ‘Manghadant’, ‘Avaidh’, and ‘Jaunpur’, among others. The team continues to be committed to bringing even more exciting content to its viewers, with ‘Flash’ being a step towards this goal.
Dish TV India Ltd corporate head of marketing Sukhpreet Singh said, “At Watcho, we recognize that thrillers hold an enduring appeal that transcends gender and age boundaries. With the release of ‘Flash,’ we’re poised to captivate audiences once again, building upon the success of our previous thriller, ‘State v/s Ahuja.’ As a platform committed to delivering engaging content, we’re excited to offer another enthralling experience that promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. ‘Flash’ embodies our dedication to providing quality entertainment, and we’re eager to share this gripping journey with our audience.”
Pandey, who plays the titular role of Vansh said, “When I first read the script for ‘Flash,’ I was immediately hooked by my character, Vansh Kundra. I’ve usually played the ‘good guy’ on TV, but OTT has given me the chance to explore and experiment, and ‘Flash’ added yet another feather to my cap. Vansh is a complex character with many layers. He may seem one way on the outside, but there’s a lot more to him underneath. His innocent eyes and smiles hide a secret that will surprise viewers when it’s revealed. I was drawn to the chance to explore these different sides of Vansh, from his innocence to his discovery of the truth. I knew it would be a challenging yet rewarding role to take on. Saying yes to ‘Flash’ was an easy decision for me, and it was a thrilling ride from the get-go. I’m positive that viewers will enjoy this rollercoaster ride, and I’m eager to know their reactions.”
Kapoor, who plays the role of Aditya, added, “As someone with a strong intuitive sense, I simply followed that instinctive feeling, knowing deep down that this project was one I couldn’t pass. My character, Aditya in Flash, undergoes an intense and intriguing journey in the series. I knew it would be a role that would push me and help me grow as an actor. The script was so well-crafted, and the story had so many unexpected twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. Being a part of this Watcho Exclusives series has been an incredible experience, and I’m excited for viewers to see the final product.”
Actress Khawahish, who plays the role of Aksha, shared, “When I was approached for the role of Aksha Chauhan in Watcho Exclusives’ ‘Flash,’ I was thrilled by its unique premise and the opportunity to collaborate with such a talented cast and crew. As an actor, I was eager to explore the depths of her psyche and unravel the layers of her character. It is a series that offers a perfect blend of suspense, drama, and intrigue, keeping both the characters and the audience on their toes. I’m grateful for this opportunity and looking forward to the audience’s response.”
Produced by Jagriti Rajpoot and Tanishq Raj under the banner of Rudrakshanam Films, ‘Flash’ illuminates the blurred lines between reality and illusion as Vansh navigates a treacherous web of secrets and deceit.
iWorld
Anirudh Ravichander and Universal Music India join forces to take South India’s sound to the world
The composer behind 13 billion streams launches Albuquerque Records with UMI as its exclusive global partner
MUMBAI: Universal Music India has struck an exclusive partnership with Albuquerque Records, the freshly minted independent label of singer-composer Anirudh Ravichander, in a deal that bets big on South India’s booming pop and hip-hop scene going global.
The arrangement, announced on 17 March, will see Universal Music India handle future pop and hip-hop releases by Anirudh himself, as well as artists signed to the new label. A first release is already in the pipeline for April, featuring Anirudh.
The numbers behind the man are hard to ignore. Debuting in 2012 with the viral sensation “Why This Kolaveri Di”, Anirudh has since clocked over 13 billion audio streams across more than 770 tracks, cementing his position as the No.1 South Indian artist on Spotify by total streams. His fingerprints are all over some of the Tamil film industry’s biggest musical moments, from Hukum and Vaathi Coming to Arabic Kuthu and the A23 Theme.
But Albuquerque Records is a different beast. Built for the non-film space, it is designed to nurture independent talent and champion the next wave of Indian pop voices. “Universal Music India’s leadership in pop and hip-hop made them the natural partner,” said Anirudh. “I’m excited to take independent voices to audiences around the world.”
Universal Music India’s chairman and CEO Devraj Sanyal was equally effusive. “Anirudh represents the future of Indian music, bold, original, and with enormous potential,” he said. “Identifying transformative talent is our superpower, and this partnership reflects that belief.”
Sanujeet Bhujabal, managing director of Universal Music India, framed the deal as more than a distribution play. “Albuquerque Records represents Anirudh’s bold artistic vision in the world of pop and hip-hop,” he said. “True to his legacy of innovation, this partnership is set to establish yet another landmark creative space, this time for the emerging world of iPop and beyond.”
For Universal Music India, the deal deepens a long-running push into South India’s four key language markets: Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu. The label already has regional imprints, film partnerships with Maddock Films and Excel Entertainment, and a growing non-film roster. Landing Anirudh, arguably the south’s most bankable music brand, is a statement of intent. South Indian music has the streams. Now it is coming for the world.
