iWorld
Erosion of credibility of mainstream media gave birth to ‘Facts First with Faye’
MUMBAI: She has been a vociferous anchor on primetime news. She has been a fierce role model for women in the media industry. And now she’s embarking on a new journey as an independent content creator. Faye D'Souza, former Mirror Now executive editor, spilt the beans about her new channel ‘Facts First with Faye’ that launched last week in a joint venture with Firework India – a short-video sharing app.
Facts First with Faye is an information-based channel, wherein the firebrand journalist will speak on global and national news stories in 30-seconds.
D’Souza, speaking to Indiantelevision.com, said, “Though the format of news sharing is 30-seconds, the offering is credibility as there has been an erosion of credibility of mainstream media. And, that’s causing the audience to look outside for news that’s not adulterated by any sort of compulsion.”
Adding further, she said, “Don’t see mainstream media as competition at all. And, if mainstream media was able to hold its audience, it wouldn’t be looking for information in independent digital sources.”
D’Souza clarifies that she isn’t an employee of Firework India. Rather it is a partnership through a revenue-sharing model. She added that the primary aim is to get as much as the traction of premium and intelligent consumers on the channel and eventually on the platform.
Terming it as an exciting journey to work with Firework India, D’Souza explained, “The challenge for me, especially, coming from the television is to tell news in 30 seconds and I believe we are doing fairly well so far and hope the audience resonates with it.”
Going forward the channel will also have an interactive chat session through conversations with the audience of all the important stories of the day. “Rather than watching a debate on television, the audience can participate in the conversation with the help of a new chat feature,” she revealed.
On Firework, content generation is not measured in hours. For now, her channel is posting an average of four stories per day. The content is information-based and not opinionated that audiences can watch ‘on the go’.
D’Souza clarified that Facts First With Faye is one of the projects she is working on multiple content creation platforms.
The channel has already garnered at least 727 followers. The videos shared are simple and have her giving a piece-to-camera interspersed with graphics.
Firework launched its video network in India in October 2019 and takes pride in its two-step moderation protocol. While its moderation is largely based on AI algorithms, its content also goes through careful human moderation.
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.
