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CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED FILM SONI TO RELEASE ON NETFLIX ON JANUARY 18, 2019
MUMBAI: Ivan Ayr’s directorial debut, Soni, a crime drama chronicling the life of two policewomen is set to get its digital release on Netflix. After being screened at prestigious festivals such as the 75th Venice Film Festival, the Mumbai Film Festival and the BFI London Film Festival, the title will be available exclusively on Netflix, to 130 million members across 190 countries, on January 18, 2019.
The story revolves around Soni, a young policewoman, and her superintendent, Kalpana, who have collectively taken on a growing crisis of violent crimes against women in the capital city of Delhi. Their alliance suffers a setback when Soni is transferred out for alleged misconduct on duty.
In this drama, Ayr explores, observes and unveils the daily grind, dynamics and hierarchies that lie within society. The strong characters and compelling narrative brought to life by Geetika Vidya Ohlyan (Soni) and Saloni Batra (Kalpana) have earned the film love and praise from both critics and movie enthusiasts. Soni has received stellar reviews from around the world with The Hollywood Reporter calling it “the ideal vehicle to explore a wide variety of issues related to gender battles in contemporary Indian society”, and Variety tagging it as an “indie Indian gem”.
Ivan Ayr said, “I am excited that my film Soni will premiere on Netflix, which is accessible to millions of people around the world. We live in a society that has accepted to adjust and bear patriarchal norms and gender biases, and I believe that the release of the film on a global service like Netflix will help the voices of my characters reach a large and diverse audience base eloquently.
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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.
