iWorld
FilmKaravan Originals, makers of ‘Delhi Crime’, releases first feature presentation
MUMBAI: FilmKaravan Originals, the producers of the Netflix Original Delhi Crime, is in it for the long haul. The much-talked about taut thriller based on the investigation of the 2012 Delhi gang rape case had been widely praised and lauded by critics and audiences alike. Moving to a completely different turf, FilmKaravan Originals, , now releases its second offering, a full-length feature film titled, What Are The Odds?, exclusively on Netflix worldwide. The film is also backed and co-produced by matinee idol Abhay Deol while reprising a pivotal role of a rock star in the film.
A consolidated content distribution, marketing and delivery service house, FilmKaravan diversified into production with Delhi Crime and now with the release of What Are The Odds? the company has cemented itself as a bonafide content production house in the digital space. The company operates from two of the largest entertainment hubs in the world- California and Mumbai. In the past, the company has also produced two short films, titled Leeches and Grant Street Shaving Co. Leeches is currently streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime. The film had won a National Award for its music and premiered across multiple prestigious international film festivals. Grant Street Shaving Co. is live on both Amazon Prime and Mubi. The music for the film was given by Sagar Desai who was also given the music for What Are The Odds?
Sanjay Bachani stated, “Production had always been on the cards and we were scouting for stories that we would be compelled to back. Our effort will always be directed towards being diversified while working with a wide array for makers and talents. We are currently developing a slate across genres and different formats of story telling which are at various stages of production."
Set in a whimsical version of Mumbai and peopled with characters and incidences personifying the title, 'What Are The Odds?' is an honest, often hilarious and rapt exploration of growing up in contemporary India devoid of its cultural specifications and celebrating unusual friendships. Directed by Megha Ramaswamy, the film features Karanvir Malhotra (Selection Day, Forgotten Army) and Yashaswini Dayama (Delhi Crime, Dear Zindagi) in lead roles. The film also stars Monica Dogra Priyanka Bose, Jugal Hansraj and Manu Rishi Chadha.
FilmKaravan boasts of tie-ups with the largest streaming platforms to reach maximum viewers and specialises in release over EST, VOD and SVOD services. The company has more than 1000 films and episodic TV catalog (Indian and international) and has successfully executed worldwide Day and Date digital film releases simultaneous to their theatrical release.
iWorld
X launches XChat messaging app on iOS with calls and encryption
Standalone app marks shift from “everything app” vision, adds E2E messaging.
MUMBAI: From one big app to many small chats, X seems to be splitting its ambitions. X has rolled out its standalone messaging app, XChat, to iOS users, opening up a new front in its evolving product strategy. The app allows users to connect with existing X contacts through private and group messages, file sharing, as well as audio and video calls. The launch follows a limited beta phase, where the platform tested the product with a smaller user base to refine the experience. Now available publicly, XChat marks a notable pivot from earlier ambitions championed by Elon Musk to turn X into a single “everything app” combining messaging, payments, commerce and more.
Instead, the company under xAI ownership and backed by SpaceX appears to be building a suite of standalone applications, each targeting specific use cases while expanding its broader ecosystem.
At launch, XChat includes end-to-end encrypted messaging, PIN-based access, disappearing messages, and features such as message editing, deletion for all participants, and screenshot blocking. The company has also said the app is free from advertisements and tracking mechanisms, positioning it as a privacy-first alternative in a crowded messaging space.
However, security claims around the platform are likely to face scrutiny. Earlier iterations of XChat drew criticism from experts who argued it fell short of established encrypted platforms like Signal. With the wider rollout, the app is expected to undergo fresh evaluation to assess whether those concerns have been addressed.
Beyond messaging, XChat will also house X’s Communities feature, which is being discontinued on the main platform due to low usage and spam concerns. Migrating these users could provide an early boost to adoption, effectively turning XChat into both a communication and community hub.
The move underscores a broader recalibration at X less about cramming everything into one app, and more about spreading bets across multiple touchpoints, one message at a time.
