iWorld
ZEE5 LAUNCHES ITS FIRST BENGALI ORIGINAL WEB SERIES ‘KAALI’
MUMBAI: After the stunning success of Aranyadeb, ZEE5, India’s #2 OTT platform has announced the launch of a ZEE5 Bengali Original and the first Bengali web series on the platform titled ‘Kaali’. The stellar cast and crew, including director Korok Murmu, actress Paoli Dam and music director Nabarun Bose and cast members, came together to launch the series at an event in the city. The eight episode fast-paced thriller will go live on ZEE5 on 13th November.
Watch the trailer here:
https://www.zee5.com/zee5originals/details/kaali/0-6-1068/kaali-trailer/0-1-149855
Kaali is a story which takes you on a cliffhanger ride where a mother has one night to save her son. Produced by Parambrata Chattopadhyay who is known for acting in and directing brilliant and entertaining films, Kaali delves into the unseen underbelly of Kolkata which is usually spoken about in hushed tones. Filled with hope, courage, danger and betrayal, Kaali is a multi-layered show that will give you jitters as it progresses towards the climax.
Speaking about the launch, Paoli Dam says, “This is my first web series and I am hugely excited for the launch. Working with Param and Rahul has been enjoyable as always. I am keen to see the response of the viewers to the show – ZEE5’s wide reach will make sure we are in a large number of handhelds.”
Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Producer, commented, “We have put together our heart and soul into the making of Kaali. Performances by Paoli Dam, Rahul Banerjee and Shantilal Mukherjee are praiseworthy. Backed with a strong story and unchartered reach of ZEE5, we are certain that Kaali is going to be one of our best creations till date.”
Manish Aggarwal, Business Head, ZEE5 India, said, “ZEE5 consistently strives to deliver edgy and engaging content to its viewers. With rich cinematography and virtually stunning scenes, Kaali is a testament to the rapidly evolving Bangla film industry as also the audience preferences. The show is a thrilling piece from our regional bouquet that will redefine popular perception about the role of women in society. Growth of Bengali content is integral to our regional strategy and Kaali’s launch just ticks all the right boxes to make a perfect entertainment package for our audiences.”
Besides dubbed versions of ZEE5 Originals, the platform has been digitally premiering blockbuster and acclaimed Bengali movies such as Drishtikone, Sonar Pahar, Purnimar Chand and many interesting titles for its subscriber base.
With over 3500 films, 500+ TV shows, 4000+ music videos, 35+ theatre plays and 90+ LIVE TV Channels across 12 languages, ZEE5 truly presents a blend of unrivalled content offering for its viewers across the nation and worldwide. With ZEE5, the global content of Zindagi as a brand, which was widely appreciated across the country, has also been brought back for its loyal viewers.
Availability: The ZEE5 App can be downloaded from Google Play Store http://bit.ly/zee5 and iOS App Store http://bit.ly/zee5ios. Also available at www.zee5.com, as a Progressive Web App (PWA), and on Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV Stick. ZEE5 also supports Chromecast.
Pricing: Freemium pricing model with both free and paid premium content (including Originals) to cater to a mix of audiences. Viewers who subscribe to the ZEE5 subscription pack will get access to the entire library of content with – 99/- for 1 month and 999/- for a year.
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.
