iWorld
Airtel rings loud in Kerala, leaves rivals dialling up network upgrades
MUMBAI: Kerala’s telecom battlefield just got a lot more interesting—Bharti Airtel didn’t just up the ante, they’ve thrown down the gauntlet with a signal so strong, competitors are scrambling for a better connection. In a dramatic twist worthy of a telecom thriller, Airtel has rolled out an impressive 2,500 additional network sites across Kerala, cementing its position as the top telecom player in ‘God’s Own Country’. It seems Airtel knows that when it comes to connectivity, second place just doesn’t cut it.
Deployed swiftly across all 14 districts, Airtel now boasts over 11,000 network sites, the most by any telecom operator in Kerala. Whether you’re chilling on the serene beaches of Varkala, exploring the tea-drenched hills of Munnar, or cruising on the Kochi water metro—Airtel’s got you covered. With such a dense network, it’s almost as if Airtel is personally ensuring your TikTok uploads never buffer.
Bharti Airtel COO – Kerala, Gokul J proudly stated, “Kerala remains a critical market for Airtel, and we are committed to offering our customers the best network experience. In the last two years, we have made significant investments in the state in network densification across all the 14 districts. This has resulted in delivering a ubiquitous voice and data experience for our customers, no matter where they are in the state. We remain committed to Kerala and will continue to invest in technologies that will help elevate service experience for our customers.”
These enhancements aren’t just marketing fluff—Opensignal recently handed Airtel multiple awards, crowning them the king of Kerala’s telecom jungle. Airtel emerged as number one in several categories, including seamless 5G video streaming, unbeatable live video experiences, exceptional gaming performance, and the fastest upload speeds around. Let’s just say, Airtel users now have bragging rights when it comes to flawless video chats and lag-free gaming sessions.
With Airtel’s supercharged connectivity, Kerala’s beautiful landscapes are more than just Instagram-worthy—they’re reliably Insta-uploadable. So go ahead, snap, game, stream, and upload without a care; Airtel’s got your back. And your signal.
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.
