iWorld
24i Media beefs up internet TV position by acquiring Mautilus
MUMBAI: 24i Media (24i), a global TV app developer, announced the acquisition of Mautilus, the Czech TV app agency. Mautilus develops TV apps for multiple platforms, including smart TVs, mobile, HbbTV, as well as for games consoles, set-top boxes.
Along with increasing the production capacity with Mautilus’ engineers, the acquisition strengthens 24i’s technology framework with new products and features. The move will push 24i one step forward to deliver scalable video streaming application technology.
“Mautilus shares our vision and recognises the importance of delivering flawless and immersive experiences for our clients and their end-users. Its solutions strongly complement the broader 24i portfolio and allows us to continue building a global internet TV app powerhouse with the best talent in the industry,” said 24i CEO said.
“We are excited to be adding a tremendously talented team to contribute to our competitive edge. Sharing our values, our culture and our ongoing commitment to bringing state-of-the-art solutions to the new TV industry will allow 24i to bring even more powerful solutions to market. As one company, we will provide customers with truly innovative solutions enabled by cutting-edge technologies,” he added.
Mautilus is 24i’s second acquisition in 2018; the company acquired multiscreen video platform provider Vigour in March. Having experienced rapid growth in 2018, as well as announcing the launch of the Tennis Channel app for Sinclair Broadcasting Group last month, 24i will continue to expand its market position in the coming months.
“The combination will allow us to provide the best solutions to our customers and will be a great home for our technology and team. With our unique blend of multi-platform experience, specific HbbTV expertise and knowledge of addressable TV, we can strengthen and accelerate 24i’s ambition of becoming the most recognised technology provider for developing cutting-edge video applications across all devices. Petr Mazanec, Ivan Bradac and myself, as founders of Mautilus, are really proud to marry our team into the 24i family,” Mautilus CEO Rehor Vykoupil said.
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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.
