iWorld
ZEE5’s Sirf Ek Bandaa Kafi Hai sweeps Filmfare OTT Awards 2023
Mumbai: ZEE5, India and Bharat’s largest home-grown video streaming platform and the OTT arm of ZEEL, bagged multiple awards for its original film “Sirf Ek Bandaa Kafi Hai” at the Filmfare OTT Awards 2023. The direct-to-digital ZEE5 original which later saw a theatrical release owing to its widespread acclaim, won across five key categories in the Web Original Film section. Alongside this, ZEE5’s comedy web series “TVF Pitchers S2” and “TVF Tripling S3” collectively won prestigious titles in the comedy series section.
Winning Categories:
The gripping courtroom drama was inspired by a five-year-long standalone fight of lawyer Adv. PC Solanki, ZEE5’s “Sirf Ek Bandaa Kafi Hai” won the prestigious Black Lady in the following categories:
Best Film, Web Original – “Sirf Ek Bandaa Kafi Hai”
Recognizing the film’s outstanding narrative, direction, and overall cinematic excellence
Best Actor, Web Original Film – Manoj Bajpayee
Commending one of this era’s most versatile actors, Manoj Bajpayee for his exceptional portrayal of lawyer Adv. PC Solanki in the lead role
Best Director, Web Original Film – Apoorv Singh Karki
Recognizing Mr. Apoorv Singh Karki’s masterful direction of the sensitive film which tackled a societal issue with a powerful yet moving narrative
Best Story, Web Original Film – Deepak Kingrani
Acknowledging the depth and deft social commentary Mr. Deepak Kingrani brought into the film through storytelling
Best Dialogue, Web Original Film – Deepak Kingrani
Highlighting the impact and effectiveness of the film’s dialogues written by Mr. Deepak Kingrani
“TVF Pitchers S2” and “TVF Tripling S3” on ZEE5 won the following awards in the Comedy Series category:
Best Comedy (series/specials) – “TVF Pitchers S2”
Recognizing the brilliant narrative, comedic elements, and direction of the web series
Best Actor, Series – comedy (female) – Maanvi Gagroo for her role in “TVF Tripling S3”
Captivating the audience with her outstanding comedic performance as Chanchal Sharma, Ms. Maanvi Gagroo bagged the ‘Best Actor, Series – comedy (female)’ title for her role in “TVF Tripling S3”
Best Supporting Actor, Series – Comedy (Male) – Arunabh Kumar for his role in “TVF Pitchers S2”
Commending Arunabh Kumar’s brilliant comedic timing and remarkable performance as a supporting actor in “TVF Pitchers S2”
Best Supporting Actor, Series – Comedy (Female) – Shernaz Patel for her role in “TVF Tripling S3”
Veteran actor Shernaz Patel’s spunky yet heartwarming performance as Charu Sharma won her the Best Supporting Actor title in the Comedy Series category
Hosted by The Times Group, The Filmfare OTT Awards was established in 2020 to honour both the artistic and technical excellence of professionals in OTT series and films. As the OTT entertainment industry continues to evolve and thrive, the Filmfare OTT Awards remains dedicated to upholding the Black Lady’s legacy and recognising the excellence of the Indian OTT segment. The event’s fourth edition took place on Sunday, November 26, 2023, in Mumbai which was attended by prominent celebrities from the entertainment industry.
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.
