iWorld
Crunchyroll rewrites the stars with India’s first full Makoto Shinkai lineup
MUMBAI: Anime lovers in India are getting their own cosmic alignment this December, as Crunchyroll brings the full constellation of Makoto Shinkai’s filmography to India for the very first time. It’s a moment fans have long wished upon and this time, the stars are finally delivering.
Beginning 4 December, all eight of Shinkai’s acclaimed films will stream exclusively on Crunchyroll, marking the most extensive and definitive Shinkai collection ever made available to Indian audiences. From meteoric blockbusters to early, hand-crafted gems, the lineup offers a sweeping journey through the director’s emotionally rich, visually luminous storytelling universe.
And for the first time ever, several of Shinkai’s most beloved films arrive with Hindi dubs, making them accessible to an even wider community of fans.
The full Makoto Shinkai collection streaming from 4 December:
• Suzume (2022) — Available in Hindi dub
• Weathering With You (2019) — Hindi dub debut
• Your Name. (2016) — Hindi dub debut
• The Garden of Words (2013)
• Children Who Chase Lost Voices (2011)
• 5 Centimeters per Second (2007)
• The Place Promised in Our Early Days (2003)
• Voices of a Distant Star (2002)
Shinkai’s films known for their lush palettes, aching romances, time-bending narratives, and bittersweet destinies have shaped a generation of anime fans across the world. Whether it’s the cosmic connection of Your Name., the sweeping yearning of 5 Centimeters per Second, or the quiet beauty of The Garden of Words, his stories linger long after the credits roll.
For many Indian fans, this collection is more than a streaming update, it’s a cultural moment. Shinkai’s films have found massive followings here, despite limited access, scattered availability, and often no local-language support. Crunchyroll’s debut of all eight titles including first-ever Hindi dubs for his three biggest films turns long-standing fandom into full-fledged streaming reality.
This curated rollout also strengthens Crunchyroll’s rapidly expanding India library. The platform now features over 850 anime titles, including 130 plus dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, making it one of India’s most robust anime destinations. Subscriptions start at INR 79 per month, offering ad-free viewing and access to the world’s largest anime catalogue.
For fans who’ve waited years to experience Shinkai’s works legally, fully, and in one place, December may just be the month their hearts finally catch up to the stars they’ve been chasing.
After all, in true Shinkai fashion some stories are worth crossing timelines for.
iWorld
Prime Video drops trailer for Lukkhe, a rap crime drama starring KING in his acting debut
Eight episodes of revenge, redemption and hard-hitting rap arrive on the streaming platform on 8th May
MUMBAI: Prime Video has unveiled the trailer for Lukkhe, an eight-episode musical action drama built around the world of rap, crime and bruised relationships — and it has done so in suitably loud fashion, launching it at a live concert in Mumbai featuring electrifying performances by KING, Amira Gill, Akshath, Raashii Khanna, Ruaa Kayy and RUTVXK. As if that were not enough, the show’s music album was also dropped at the event, in collaboration with exclusive music streaming partner Amazon Music and music label Warner Music India.
The series is directed by Himank Gaur and produced by Vipul D. Shah and Rajesh Bahl under the banners of Optimystix Entertainment and White Guerrilla LLP. It is created and executive produced by Agrim Joshi and Debojit Das Purkayastha.
The cast is the talking point. KING, the acclaimed Indian rapper and songwriter, makes his acting debut as MC Badnaam, a performer consumed by rivalry and hunger for recognition. Raashii Khanna, returning to Prime Video after Farzi, plays Gurbani. Palak Tiwari, making her streaming debut, plays Sanober. Lakshvir Singh Saran plays Lucky. The ensemble also includes Nakul Roshan Sahdev, Kritika Bharadwaj, Shivankit Parihar, Yograj Singh and Ayesha Raza Mishra in pivotal roles.
The trailer plants its flag squarely in the tension between MC Badnaam and his rival MC OG, played by Parihar, while threading in the love story between Lucky and Sanober. The soundtrack, which spans hard-hitting rap anthems to emotionally charged melodies, is as much a character in the show as any of its leads.
Gaur was candid about what drew him to the project. “Lukkhe gave me a chance to dive into a world that’s loud, emotional, and constantly on edge,” he said. “What stayed with me was how every character is chasing something personal, and music becomes their way of expressing it. Working with this cast, especially KING in his debut, along with Raashii, Lakshvir, and Palak, was incredibly rewarding because they brought honesty that elevated every moment.”
Khanna reflected on her character with evident relish. “Playing Gurbani in Lukkhe was a really intense and fulfilling experience,” she said. “What I found most interesting was how her strength comes from something deeply personal, which shapes every decision she makes. It was about finding that balance between vulnerability and grit.”
KING, stepping in front of the camera for the first time, was characteristically direct. “Stepping into Lukkhe as MC Badnaam has been a defining moment for me,” he said. “What drew me in was how real his hunger and need to be heard felt. It’s something I connect with as an artist. Bringing music into his journey made the experience even more personal.”
Tiwari described the role as a first on multiple fronts. “It was my first time working with Prime Video, and the whole experience felt new and creatively satisfying,” she said. “Being part of a story that has both intense and heartfelt moments, along with a team that brought so much honesty to it, made this journey truly memorable.”
Saran, for his part, zeroed in on what made Lucky tick. “Lucky is someone who’s trying to move forward while still carrying the weight of his past, and that push-pull made him really interesting to explore,” he said. “There’s a sincerity to his journey that I hope people connect with.”
Lukkhe premieres on Prime Video in Hindi on 8th May, across India and in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. In a streaming landscape drowning in crime dramas, this one is betting that putting a rapper at its centre – and meaning it – is enough to cut through the noise. On the evidence of the trailer, it might just be right.
