iWorld
Watcho Exclusives premieres thrilling new series State v/s Ahuja
Mumbai: Watcho Exclusives, the OTT platform from Dish TV India Ltd, has unveiled its first original series of 2024 – State v/s Ahuja. The enthralling thriller series marks the return of actor Ashmit Patel after a brief hiatus. Directed by Tarun Chopra, State v/s Ahuja narrates the captivating tale of Bollywood superstar Ansh Ahuja facing rape accusations from his maid. The series is exclusively available on the Watcho App from 9 February 2024, onwards.
The story follows Ansh Ahuja (Ashmit Patel), a Bollywood superstar embroiled in controversy after being accused of rape by his maid. As the plot thickens, viewers are drawn into a riveting world of suspense, investigation, and courtroom drama, where unexpected revelations keep them hooked. With evidence pointing in different directions, the audience is left to question Ansh’s innocence amidst a web of deceit and conspiracy. The series poses the compelling question: Did Ansh truly commit the crime, or is there a sinister conspiracy at play? With each episode, the suspense deepens, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats until the final revelation.
Over the years, Watcho has delighted viewers with a diverse range of exclusive series spanning various genres such as ‘Oh My Wife!’, ‘Luck Shots’, ‘Aarambh’, ‘GillHarry’, ‘Explosive’, ‘The Morning Show’, ‘Manghadant’, ‘Avaidh’, and ‘Jaunpur’, among others. The OTT App is now gearing up to celebrate its fifth anniversary in 2024 and promises to captivate audiences with a new lineup of original series.
Dish TV India Ltd corporate head of marketing Sukhpreet Singh said, “We are excited to introduce our latest Watcho Exclusive series, ‘State v/s Ahuja’. This marks our first major release of 2024, setting the stage for an exhilarating year ahead. ‘State v/s Ahuja’ will captivate viewers with its compelling narrative, intriguing characters, and unexpected twists. At Watcho, we are committed to bringing you engaging content that resonates with viewers from all walks of life. As we continue to evolve and grow, we are dedicated to delivering quality entertainment that not only engages viewers but also leaves a lasting impact.”
Actor Ashmit Patel, who plays the titular role of Ansh, said, “I’m thrilled not only to return to the screen after a brief break (during which time I’ve been working on my music production and doing my DJ gigs) with such an intriguing concept. ‘State v/s Ahuja’, a Watcho Exclusives series, delves into complex themes and keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The character of Ansh offers a depth and complexity that immediately intrigued me. As an actor, I’m always drawn to roles that push boundaries and provoke thought. ‘State v/s Ahuja’ offered me exactly that opportunity. It allowed me to challenge myself in new ways. When I read the script and the character details, it felt like the perfect project to break my self-imposed hiatus, and without a second thought, I went for it. Now that the series is streaming on Watcho, I can’t wait for viewers to experience this suspenseful story with me.”
‘State v/s Ahuja’, produced by Suresh Thomas under the banners of Crescendo Films and Amicable Crew, features an ensemble cast including Jaswinder Gardner, Anurekha Bhagat, Sarika Singh, Swapnil Ralkar, Apeksha Verma, Drishti Patil, Manish Jaitley, Arjun Krishna, Vicky Baidyanath, and Harsh Gautam.
Immerse yourself in the gripping story of ‘State v/s Ahuja’, exclusively on Watcho, to unravel the truth behind the allegations and the unexpected twists that emerge.
Watch ‘State v/s Ahuja’ on Watcho, accessible across multiple devices including Fire TV Stick, Dish SMRT Hub, D2h Magic, Android, and iOS smartphones, or online at www.WATCHO.com.
iWorld
Why Peaky Blinders is one of television’s biggest hits that still deserves more attention
Six seasons, multiple awards and the release of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man bring the Shelby saga back into the spotlight
In the crowded universe of streaming content, only a handful of shows manage to leave a lasting cultural footprint. Peaky Blinders is overwhelmingly considered one of the biggest global hits of the past decade. Yet many viewers still haven’t fully explored the dark, gripping world of the Shelby family.
Originally produced for the UK’s BBC and later finding a massive global audience through Netflix, the series quietly grew from a British period drama into a worldwide streaming phenomenon.
Created by Steven Knight, the show follows the rise of the Shelby crime family in post-First World War Birmingham. What begins as a gritty street-gang story gradually expands into a sweeping narrative about ambition, politics, power and survival.
At the centre of the saga is Thomas Shelby, portrayed with extraordinary depth by Cillian Murphy. The casting of Murphy is widely regarded as perfect for the role. With piercing eyes, restrained dialogue and an almost hypnotic screen presence, he transforms Shelby into one of the most unforgettable characters in modern screen storytelling.
Murphy’s brilliance lies in his restraint. He rarely shouts or performs theatrically. Instead, a quiet stare, a calculated pause or a subtle shift in expression conveys the emotional storms within the character. Beneath the ruthless gang leader is a war veteran carrying trauma, guilt and loneliness. Murphy captures this complexity with remarkable precision, making Thomas Shelby both terrifying and deeply human.
Beyond its central performance, Peaky Blinders stands out for its unfiltered portrayal of reality. The show does not romanticise crime. Instead, it exposes the harsh social conditions of early 20th-century Britain, from poverty and class struggle to political extremism and the psychological scars left by war.
The series also presents powerful female characters who hold their own within the Shelby empire. Polly Gray, played by Helen McCrory, is the strategic backbone of the family and one of the most formidable figures in the story. Women in the series shape decisions, influence power structures and challenge the rigid social norms of the time.
Across six seasons, the narrative grows dramatically in scale. What begins in the smoky streets of Birmingham evolves into a story involving political conspiracies, fascism and international criminal networks.
The series has also earned significant critical acclaim. It won the BAFTA Television Award for Best Drama Series in 2018 and multiple National Television Awards for Best Drama, cementing its reputation as one of Britain’s most celebrated modern shows.
Another defining feature of the series is its iconic music. The show’s opening theme, Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, became instantly recognisable and widely associated with the Shelby universe. Combined with a powerful soundtrack featuring artists such as Arctic Monkeys and Radiohead, the music helped shape the show’s dark, stylish identity and became hugely popular among fans.
And the Shelby story is not over yet.
In fact, its legacy is unfolding right now. The long-awaited feature-length continuation, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, was released on March 6, 2026, bringing the Shelby universe from streaming screens to cinemas and giving fans a new chapter in the saga.
For viewers who have not yet stepped into this world, the timing could not be better.
Six gripping seasons are ready to binge on Netflix. A new film has just arrived in theatres. And at the heart of it all stands one of the most magnetic performances in modern drama by Cillian Murphy.
So if Peaky Blinders has been sitting on your watchlist for years, this weekend is your moment.
So, by order of the Peaky fookin’ Blinders, consider this your cue to finally step into the ruthless world of Thomas Shelby. Pour yourself a drink, clear your schedule and press the play button. Because when the Peaky Blinders give an order, you listen.
