iWorld
discovery+ uncovers India’s untold story of ‘Kohinoor’ with Neeraj Pandey and Manoj Bajpayee
Mumbai: discovery+ on Friday announced Secrets of the Kohinoor, a new docuseries in the Secrets franchise that retraces the story of the world’s most precious diamond, ‘Kohinoor,’ and will premiere on 4 August 2022. discovery+, along with acclaimed director Neeraj Pandey and Bollywood actor Manoj Bajpayee, also intends to uncover the stories of multiple rulers and their insatiable desire for the ‘Kohinoor.’ The docuseries will be directed by Raghav Jairath.
Post success of Secrets of Sinauli: Discovery of the Century, discovery+ is expanding the Secrets franchise. The docuseries uncovers how the weight of the diamond has been slashed down to less than six times its original weight or it might not be the same diamond Emperor Babur mentioned in his memoir.
Docuseries will feature parliamentarian and author Dr. Shashi Tharoor, historian and AMU professor Irfan Habib, professor Dr. Adrienne Munich, Jamia Millia Islamia
professor Farhat Nasreen, archaeologist and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) ex-regional director K. K. Muhammed, AMU professor Dr. Manvendra Kumar Pundhir, Indian author-columnist, diplomat and former high commissioner for India in the United Kingdom, author J Sai Deepak, professor Dr. Danielle Kinsey, historian and professor Dr. Miles Taylor and master diamond polisher Pauline Willemse.
Speaking about the docuseries, Bajpayee said, “The opportunity to present this series in the franchise has been a uniquely satisfying and learning experience for me, and I am grateful to discovery+ and Neeraj Pandey for that. This project marks my second collaboration with them. Despite being talked about for years, there are many facts about the ‘Kohinoor’ that were unknown to me, and I am certain they would be unknown to a majority of the world as well. The revelations made in the documentary took me by surprise, and I cannot wait for viewers to explore this untold story and be just as surprised.”
Pandey added, “The unseen, disguised, and unknown historical facts have always intrigued and fascinated me, causing me to delve deep into the subject. After the amazing response to Secrets of Sinauli, the idea of exploring the mystery of the ‘Kohinoor’ excited us as it has been one of the most talked about diamonds in the history of time. “
“Our partnership with discovery+ has been great at bringing alive stories that are bigger, better, and bolder. Moreover, it is always a pleasure to work in collaboration with Manoj, who is a master of his craft and has taken the show to a whole new level with his striking storytelling expertise. The robust research, peppered with inputs from renowned scholars and experts, digs deep into the story of ‘Kohinoor’ to surface lesser-known facets of its journey whilst narrating the importance of bringing it back to its homeland,” he added.
Warner Bros. Discovery head of factual & lifestyle cluster- South Asia Sai Abishek shared, “We’re pioneering the history genre with our distinctive offerings that appeal to audiences across age groups. We have added another Indian Originals IP to our already expansive history genre on the platform with the growing Secrets franchise. Following the massive success of Secrets of Sinauli: Discovery of the Century, we realized the tremendous potential in the subject and thereby built on the successful collaboration with Neeraj Pandey and Manoj Bajpayee. The captivating history of ‘Kohinoor’ and its unexplored aspects are even more prevalent now and need to be known by audiences across the globe.”
iWorld
Prime Video and Hrithik Roshan reunite for quirky heist comedy Mess
HRX Films expands pact with quirky heist comedy set for production
MUMBAI: Prime Video is doubling down on its partnership with Hrithik Roshan, announcing a new comedy film Mess that promises chaos, chuckles and a clever twist on the classic heist.
Produced by Hrithik Roshan and Eshaan Roshan under HRX Films, a division of FilmKraft Productions, the film is being made in association with Soda Films Lab. Directed by Rajesh A Krishnan, Mess marks the second collaboration between the streaming platform and HRX Films after the upcoming thriller Storm.
At the heart of Mess lies an unusual premise. A group of robbers break into the home of a man with OCD, only to find themselves outmatched in a night-long standoff that flips the script on who is really in control. It is a set-up that blends tension with humour, turning a break-in into a breakdown of expectations.
Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok said, “A good story should surprise and entertain, and Mess does both with ease. It brings together a unique premise, memorable characters and a tone that keeps you laughing throughout.”
He added that the collaboration with HRX Films continues to grow stronger, with the new film reflecting a shared appetite for bold and original storytelling.
Hrithik Roshan said, “After Storm, Mess feels like a natural next step in our journey with Prime Video. The film captures the kind of unconventional storytelling we want to champion, with Rajesh bringing a distinctive voice to the narrative.”
Director Rajesh A Krishnan said, “The world of Mess is a mix of comedy and chaos, unusual enough to keep audiences on edge while still delivering humour. It has been a deeply collaborative and creatively fulfilling experience.”
The original screenplay comes from Paul Soter, with adaptation and dialogues by Kapil Sawant, adding another layer of craft to the film’s offbeat narrative.
As production gears up, Mess looks ready to live up to its name, serving up a delightful tangle of mayhem, mischief and movie magic for audiences in India and beyond.
