iWorld
Century of Cinema as manoramaMAX Hits a Ton in One Year
MUMBAI: When streaming platforms talk numbers, it’s usually subscriber counts. ManoramaMAX has chosen a more cinematic flex, a full century of films in a single year. The Malayalam-focused OTT platform has released 100 movies in one calendar year, a first for any regional-language streaming service in India. In an ecosystem where quantity often dilutes quality, the milestone signals a sharp content push aimed squarely at Kerala’s fiercely loyal film audience.
The achievement sits within a library of 500 plus Malayalam films, backed by more than 20,000 hours of visual content spanning movies, Mazhavil Manorama entertainment shows and Manorama News programming. The scale positions manoramaMAX as a one-stop digital destination for Malayalam viewers, blending cinema, television and news under one roof.
What stands out is not just the volume, but the viewing behaviour it reflects. Regional OTT consumption has surged in recent years, and Malayalam cinema in particular has found strong post-theatrical legs on streaming. By delivering 100 film releases in a year, manoramaMAX is betting that audiences want depth, variety and constant discovery, not just the occasional tentpole premiere.
The 2025 slate includes several of the platform’s most-watched titles, ranging from mainstream crowd-pullers to story-led originals. The list features I Am Kathalan, Vyasanasametham Bandhumithradhikal, Mr and Mrs Bachelor, Anand Sreebala, Hunt, ED – Extra Decent, Samshayam, Swargam, Azadi, Sarkeet, Oru Jaathi Jathakam, Flask, Maharani and Abhilasham, reflecting the breadth of genres Malayalam cinema continues to experiment with.
For the regional OTT market, the milestone also sets a new benchmark. While national platforms increasingly chase scale across languages, manoramaMAX’s approach underlines the power of going deep into one linguistic and cultural ecosystem. Releasing 100 films in a year is less about chasing headlines and more about building habit, ensuring there is always something new to watch, every week, every month.
As competition intensifies and viewers become choosier with their screen time, manoramaMAX’s century year offers a clear message: in the streaming race, consistency can be just as compelling as spectacle.
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.
