iWorld
Amazon Prime to show Asahi’s anime content
MUMBAI – November 24, 2016 – Amazon today announced its alliance with Japan-based TV Asahi Corporation which will make Amazon Prime Video India the exclusive subscription streaming home for some of TV Asahi’s all-time favorite kids toons – Doraemon, Shin chan, and Ninja Hattori. Available together in the territory for the first time ever on a video streaming platform, Doraemon, Shin Chan, and Ninja Hattori will be exclusive to Amazon Prime members in India with new episodes refreshed regularly.
“Amazon Prime Video in India aims to be home to a diverse mix of beloved kids’ content and be the preferred entertainment choice for kids in India.” said Nitesh Kripalani, Director and Country Head, Amazon Prime Video India. “The popularity of Japanese anime has grown immensely and TV Asahi Corporation is one of Japan’s leading private broadcasters who we already have a content licensing agreement with in Japan. We are thrilled to extend this relationship to India as well to bring this fantastic content to our kids.”
“We are excited about some of our best contents are going to be available on Amazon Prime Video. We hope the digital experience would take our contents to the next level of the popularity in India” said Takahiro Kishimoto, Head of Animation at International Business Department, TV Asahi Corporation.
Doraemon is a popular Japanese manga series, created by Fujiko F. Fujio. The series has also been adapted into a successful anime series and media franchise. The story revolves around a robotic time-traveling cat named Doraemon, who travels back in time from the 22nd century to aid a pre-teen boy named Nobita Nobi.
Shin chan, is a Japanese manga series created by Yoshito Usui. It follows the adventures of the five-year-old Shinnosuke “Shin” Nohara and his parents, baby sister, dog, neighbours, and friends and is set in Kasukabe, Saitama Prefecture. An anime adaptation of the series began airing on TV Asahi in 1992 and remains on air till this day.
Ninja Hattori is a manga series created by Fujiko Fujio A, later adapted into a television drama, an anime series, a video game and a live-action movie. The comedy actions animated series was aired on TV Asahi in the 80’s and all new episodes of the series has been produced since 2012 and is currently on air in several Asian countries.
Chimpui is a Japanese television series created by Fujiko F. Fujio in 1985. It tells the story of a young girl named Eri and two cute aliens that come to Earth to find her to be the most precious girl to marry with their beloved prince of the planet Mal.
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.
