iWorld
Bhagwat puts truth on trial as Arshad and Jitendra clash in Zee5 thriller
MUMBAI: When truth plays hide and seek with lies, the chase makes for dangerous cinema. Zee5, India’s largest homegrown video streaming platform, has lifted the curtain on its next original film, Bhagwat, a taut crime thriller inspired by true events. Produced by Jio Studios in association with Baweja Studios and Dog ‘n’ Bone Pictures, the film promises an edge-of-the-seat battle between morality and deception.
At the centre of Bhagwat is Inspector Vishwas Bhagwat, played by Arshad Warsi, whose seemingly routine case of a missing woman mutates into a sinister labyrinth of secrets, suspected trafficking, and unrelenting deceit. In parallel, a fragile romance brews between Meera and Sameer, portrayed by Jitendra Kumar, a professor whose vulnerability offers a stark counterpoint to the dark suspense unfolding in Robertsganj, Uttar Pradesh.
Directed by Akshay Shere, the film marks a fresh pairing of two powerhouse performers. Warsi, best known for his wry comic timing, plunges into gritty intensity, while Jitendra Kumar, beloved for his affable roles in Panchayat and Kota Factory, pivots into uncharted territory. Their face-off anchors a thriller where emotion and tension collide.
“Bhagwat is a powerful reflection of our vision: a gripping thriller that’s as emotionally layered as it is suspenseful,” said Kaveri Das, Business Head – Hindi, Zee5. “Arshad Warsi brings remarkable nuance, while Jitendra Kumar’s compelling avatar is sure to surprise.”
For Jio Studios COO & CFO Priyanka Chaudhary the film underlines a mission to deliver stories rooted in India yet resonant globally. “Bhagwat embodies that mission, a taut, heartland thriller that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. Building on the success of Mrs., this marks another exciting collaboration with Zee5,” she noted.
Producer Harman Baweja echoed the sentiment, calling the film “a journey into the shadows of human nature, where love, deception, and justice collide.” For Baweja Studios, Bhagwat is another stride in backing stories that are bold, relevant, and emotionally compelling.
Zee5, which has been steadily building a slate of original dramas that go beyond formula, sees Bhagwat as one of its standout offerings of the year. With its mix of crime, suspense, and romance, the film seeks not only to entertain but to leave viewers reflecting long after the credits roll.
Streaming soon and exclusively on Zee5, Bhagwat promises to keep audiences guessing right until the final reveal.
iWorld
Meta warns 200 users after fake Whatsapp spyware attack
Italy-targeted campaign used unofficial app to deploy surveillance spyware.
MUMBAI: It looked like a message, but it behaved like a mole. Meta has warned around 200 users most of them in Italy after uncovering a targeted spyware campaign that weaponised a fake version of WhatsApp to infiltrate devices. The attack, first reported by Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata, relied on classic social engineering with a modern twist: persuading users to download an unofficial WhatsApp clone embedded with surveillance software. The malicious application, believed to be developed by Italian firm SIO through its subsidiary ASIGINT, was designed to mimic the real app closely enough to bypass suspicion.
Meta’s security teams identified roughly 200 individuals who may have installed the compromised version, triggering immediate countermeasures. Affected users were logged out of their accounts and issued alerts warning of potential privacy breaches, with the company describing the incident as a “targeted social engineering attempt” aimed at gaining device-level access.
The malicious app was not distributed via official app stores but circulated through third-party channels, where it was presented as a legitimate WhatsApp alternative. Once installed, it reportedly allowed external operators to access sensitive data stored on the device turning a simple download into a potential surveillance gateway.
According to Techcrunch, Meta is now preparing legal action against the spyware developers to curb further misuse. The company, however, has not disclosed details about the specific individuals targeted or the extent of data compromised.
A Whatsapp spokesperson reiterated that user safety remains the top priority, particularly for those misled into installing the fake iOS application. Meanwhile, reports from La Repubblica suggest the spyware may be linked to “Spyrtacus”, a strain previously associated with Android-based attacks that could intercept calls, activate microphones and even access cameras.
The episode underscores a growing reality in the digital age, the threat is no longer just what you download, but where you download it from. As unofficial apps become increasingly convincing, the line between communication tool and covert surveillance is getting harder to spot and far easier to exploit.
