iWorld
Crime thrillers can take Indian entertainment global: writer-creator Piyush Jha
MUMBAI: Post the Covid2019 outbreak, the Indian entertainment industry witnessed revolutionary changes as OTT platforms gained massive popularity among audiences. OTT originals which were primarily confined to western countries landed on Indian shores, and this inevitable change motivated many passionate writers and filmmakers to make their online video streaming debut. Piyush Jha is one of those master writers who recently forayed into the world of OTT platforms with his new web series Chakravyuh: An Inspector Virkar Crime Thriller.
Switching genres from comedy to crime
Piyush Jha started his career as a writer-filmmaker in 1999 with the comedy movie Chalo America. Later, he made two more movies, King of Bollywood (2004), and Sikander (2009). And now, after an 11-year-long hiatus, Jha has re-entered the entertainment industry with Chakravyuh starring Prateik Babbar in the lead role. Unlike his previous outings which dealt with comedic subjects, Chakravyuh is an edge-of-your-seat thriller unravelling over eight episodes.
The web series directed by Sajit Warrier premiered on MX Player, and received positive responses from all corners. Based on Jha's book Anti-Social Network: An Inspector Virkar Crime Thriller which was published in 2014, the show portrayed the story of the eponymous daredevil cop who fights against the injustices in society.
The evolution of a Mumbai-based storyteller
"I feel great. Audiences (MISSING) have welcomed Chakravyuh and Inspector Virkar warmly. At this moment, I should thank Kailash Surendranath and Aarti Surendranath of Mayavid who gave us immense support throughout the journey. Until now, Inspector Virkar was only there in the books, and now he has come to the screens," said Jha.
According to him, Chakravyuh is more than just a crime thriller, as it is a character-driven story. Jha revealed that the upcoming two seasons of Chakravyuh – also based on his books – will explore the character of Inspector Virkar in different dimensions.
Jha also lauded Prateik Babbar for portraying the role of Inspector Virkar with finesse on screen.
"As we go to the next seasons, we will see an evolution in his character, as an investigator, as a person who has deep angst in the system, a person who seeks justice in society. All these elements are going to come out. Prateik is actively looking forward to taking this character further," added Jha.
Crime thrillers are the way to go
Jha held the firm belief that crime thrillers have the potential to elevate the Indian entertainment industry to new heights. The genre has always had a global dimension and quality products could appeal to international audiences.
"Post the advent of OTT platforms, Indians have been watching crime thrillers from other languages including Spanish, Italian, etc. Crime thrillers always have the ability to appeal to people irrespective of the language barrier. I strongly believe that Indian filmmakers and storytellers should focus on crime thrillers in the future, as quality products will expand the reach of Indian films and series among international audiences," he said.
On his upcoming projects
The filmmaker revealed that he is currently working on two shows, and also plans to make the second season of Chakravyuh.
"Apart from the two shows, I am also working on an audio fiction with Amazon audible. That is new territory for me, and I am very excited about it. The audio fiction will be horror-supernatural, a genre that is very new to me. I feel happy as I continue to be a storyteller, and I find myself evolving as time passes by," Jha signed off.
iWorld
Asha Bhosle, the unforgettable voice that sang a thousand emotions
The melody that defined generations has fallen silent, but her songs will echo forever.
MUMBAI: The voice that once lit up countless silver screens and brought rhythm to millions of hearts has stilled. Legendary singer Asha Bhosle, one of the most versatile and prolific vocalists in Indian film music, passed away at the age of 92 in Mumbai on Sunday. She was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital on Saturday night after suffering cardiac and respiratory issues and had reportedly been unwell for several months.
Her son, Anand Bhosle, confirmed the news on Sunday afternoon. The last rites will be performed on Monday.
Born in 1933 into the illustrious Mangeshkar musical family, Asha began her journey in the golden era of Hindi cinema. She recorded her first film song at the age of nine in 1943 and, by the 1950s, had already carved a distinct space for herself in Bollywood. While her elder sister Lata Mangeshkar often took the more melodic, heroine-centric numbers, Asha quickly became the go-to voice for energetic cabaret tracks, dance numbers, and later, the full spectrum of emotional expression.
The 1950s–60s: Rise of the Cabaret Queen In the early decades, Asha was frequently typecast for “item songs” and Western-style numbers. Yet even within those constraints, she delivered unforgettable hits such as “Aaja Aaja” from Teesri Manzil and “O Haseena Zulfon Wali” from the same film. Her playful, sassy delivery gave these tracks a magnetic energy that still feels fresh today.
The 1970s: Peak Versatility This was the decade that cemented her legendary status. Songs like “Dum Maro Dum” (Hare Rama Hare Krishna), “Piya Tu Ab To Aaja” (Caravan), “Chura Liya Hai Tumne” (Yaadon Ki Baaraat), and “Yeh Mera Dil” (Don) became cultural touchstones. Asha proved she could swing from seductive to soulful with equal ease, working with almost every major composer of the era.
The 1980s: Emotional Depth and Ghazals After marrying composer R.D. Burman in 1980, Asha explored more nuanced, introspective territory. Her National Award-winning performances in Umrao Jaan (“Dil Cheez Kya Hai”) and Ijaazat (“Mera Kuch Saamaan”) showcased a matured, velvety voice capable of profound emotion. These tracks remain among the most cherished ghazals in Indian cinema.
The 1990s–2000s: Global Collaborations and Reinvention Even as newer voices emerged, Asha refused to fade. She collaborated internationally with the Kronos Quartet and released experimental albums. Later in her career, she lent her voice to younger composers and continued performing live, often sharing the stage with her granddaughter Zanai Bhosle.
A Life Beyond the Microphone Asha’s personal journey was as dramatic as her filmography. At 16, she eloped with Ganpatrao Bhosle, her personal secretary. The marriage ended in separation in 1960 after they had three children. In 1980, she married R.D. Burman in a union that faced family opposition but brought creative synergy. RD passed away in 1994.
Throughout her life, Asha remained grounded, often crediting classical music and ghazals for keeping her voice sharp. In a 2023 interview, she admitted she rarely listened to contemporary film songs, preferring the timeless works of Bhimsen Joshi and classic ghazals to stay inspired.
Her seven Filmfare Awards and two National Film Awards are merely numbers; the true measure of her legacy lies in the thousands of songs that still play in homes, cars, and hearts across generations. From the foot-tapping energy of “Dum Maro Dum” to the haunting beauty of “Mera Kuch Saamaan”, Asha Bhosle gave Indian cinema a voice that was simultaneously bold, tender, playful, and profound.
The golden era has lost one of its brightest stars, but the music she created will continue to refresh souls for decades to come. As the final notes of her extraordinary journey fade, India bids farewell to a voice that truly defined an era.
