iWorld
ZEE5 to foray into the horror-comedy genre with the upcoming original film Kakuda
Mumbai: Prepare for a spine-chilling yet hilarious experience as ZEE5, India’s largest home-grown video streaming platform and a multilingual storyteller, announces its foray into the horror-comedy genre with the upcoming original film, ‘Kakuda’. Produced by RSVP and directed by the acclaimed filmmaker of successful titles like ‘Zombivili’ and ‘Munjya’, Aditya Sarpotdar, this film promises to be a laughter riot with a twist of fear. Starring the powerhouse trio of Riteish Deshmukh, Sonakshi Sinha, and Saqib Saleem, ‘Kakuda’ will soon premiere on ZEE5.
‘Kakuda’ is set in the village of Ratodi in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura district. While Ratodi seems like any other village, it isn’t because of the curse inflicted upon it for years. Every house in the district has two similar-looking doors, one that is normal size and one which is smaller than the other. The film revolves around a peculiar ritual that demands the opening of the smaller door of each house every Tuesday at 7:15 PM sharp. Failure to comply with this rule invites the wrath of Kakuda, who punishes the man of the house. But who is Kakuda…Why does he punish the men in the village? How will the villagers get rid of the curse? Beware! Ab Mard Khatre Me Hai!
Based in the heartland, Kakuda is a horror comedy that will keep the audience intrigued, entertained and engrossed through its narrative. The movie will soon premiere on ZEE5 in Hindi.
ZEE5 India chief business officer Manish Kalra stated, “At ZEE5, we take pride in consistently pushing the envelope and exploring uncharted territories to entertain our viewers. With our original film ‘Kakuda’, we are venturing into the realm of horror-comedy, a genre that resonates positively with the audience and aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering diverse and engaging content. Moreover, we are elated to have phenomenal talents like Sonakshi Sinha, Riteish Deshmukh, and Saqib Saleem leading this film. Known for their impeccable comic timing, this stellar ensemble and the thrilling narrative of ‘Kakuda’ will bring the genre to life. We hope that this movie will be appreciated and enjoyed by audiences across the country, further establishing ZEE5 as the ultimate destination for cutting-edge entertainment.”
Ronnie Screwvala said, “We are thrilled to partner with ZEE5, India’s leading streaming platform, for our unique horror-comedy ‘Kakuda’ starring Ritesh Deshmukh, Sonakshi Sinha and Saqib Saleem. We are confident that ‘Kakuda’ will resonate with Indian audiences, given the exciting genre and our partnership with ZEE5 ensures that this story reaches millions of viewers, from the comfort of their homes.”
“As a filmmaker and a fan of the horror-comedy genre, I find it incredibly fascinating to explore the delicate balance between fear and laughter. It’s a challenging task to make viewers simultaneously scared and amused, but with ‘Kakuda,’ I am confident that we have hit the right chord yet again,” said director Aditya Sarpotdar.
He added, “I am thrilled to have worked with an exceptionally talented cast, including Riteish Deshmukh, Sonakshi Sinha, Saqib Saleem and Aasif Khan who have supported the narrative brilliantly by adding humour and emotions to the story. Their spotless comic timing and the way they portray genuine emotions have made my job as a director much easier. Together, we have crafted a unique and engaging story that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating every twist and turn. ‘Kakuda’ is an experience that will take the audience on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, and I am immensely grateful to ZEE5 for believing in my vision and providing me with the platform to bring this story to life. Can’t wait to drop the trailer of this film and see the reactions of the fans.”
Fasten your seat belts and get comfy on your couches as ‘Kakuda’ premieres soon on ZEE5!
iWorld
Rusk Media announces Battleground Season 2 on Amazon MX Player
Fitness reality show returns in April 2026 with bigger challenges and mentors.
MUMBAI: The arena is reopening and this time the competition promises even more sweat, strategy and spectacle. Rusk Media has confirmed the return of its fitness reality format Battleground for a second season, set to stream on Amazon MX Player from April 2026. The announcement follows the breakout success of the show’s debut season, which positioned itself as a high energy blend of sport, strategy and reality television. Season 1 brought together 16 contestants for a 28 day test of endurance and discipline, as aspiring athletes and fitness enthusiasts competed in physically demanding challenges and team based battles.
Divided into four teams, the participants trained under a panel of mentors drawn from the fitness and lifestyle space, with former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan serving as the show’s Super Mentor.
The format quickly found an audience among digital viewers and was listed among the most binged titles on Amazon MX Player. The show also picked up industry recognition, winning the “Most Popular Non Fiction Show” honour at the IWMBuzz Digital Awards 2025.
The first season also drew a slate of brand partnerships, including Honda Bigwing, Charged, American Pistachio Growers, Bigmuscles Nutrition, Ritebite Max Protein, Plix and Sparsh CCTV, highlighting the show’s appeal to brands targeting India’s rapidly growing youth and fitness audience.
For Season 2, the producers say the format will evolve with tougher physical challenges, a sharper competitive structure and deeper mentor involvement while continuing to focus on discovering the next generation of Indian fitness personalities.
Rusk Media, chief executive officer and co founder Mayank Yadav said the first season proved the appetite for competitive fitness storytelling. “Battleground was always envisioned as more than a show. Season 1 demonstrated that there is a massive audience for aspirational fitness competition at scale. With Season 2 we are going even bigger in ambition, intensity and opportunities for contestants and partners,” he said.
Rusk Ads lead Rahul Arora added that the series has also evolved into a strong platform for brand integration and advertiser engagement. “Season 1 showed that Battleground is not just compelling content but a powerful brand ecosystem. As we move into Season 2, we are looking to deepen brand collaborations and build more integrated partnerships,” he said.
With a larger format, an expanding fan base and a new season set to arrive in April 2026, Battleground is positioning itself as one of India’s emerging fitness reality franchises in the digital entertainment space.
