iWorld
Firework India to onboard various content creators like Faye D’Souza
MUMBAI: After getting into a partnership with Faye D’Souza, Firework India plans to rope more creators to generate quality and genuine content on the platform. Recently, former Mirror Now executive editor Faye D’Souza launched a new channel called Facts First with Faye, wherein she will be speaking on global and national news in 30-second videos.
Firework India chief executive officer Sunil Nair, speaking exclusively to indiantelevision.com, said: “In the coming months we have plans to onboard several such creators. We will not restrict ourselves from any categories as long as it makes sense to our users and is tastefully done.”
Google-owned Firework is a short-video sharing app that was launched in India in October 2019.
While commenting on the revenue sharing model between the platform and D’Souza, Nair said: “The revenues will only grow with her channel’s popularity. As her partner, we will promote this channel. She produces compelling content and I am certain this will see rapid growth in the next one month.”
Meanwhile, stating it as a revenue-sharing model between the platform and her, D’Souza had said, “We will also be looking at the branded content aspect going forward as the channel gets more traction.” The Facts First with Faye has already garnered 727 followers and the videos shared on the platform have her piece-to-camera interspersed with graphics.
Content creators on digital platforms are, lately, being targeted by people in power to remove content or restrict them for posting something that’s controversial. In this regard, the Firework India CEO, talking on the independence of content creation, said: “We do not have any affiliations or favour anybody and let users decide and form an opinion. And, it’s the fundamental reason to come out with 30-second programming.”
He added, “We are aware that India is a sensitive nation and have put together a very strong moderation team. With the collaboration of AI and human intervention, we have the ability to restrict any content that may hurt Indian sentiments.”
With news being broadcast in 30-second video format, the Firework India CEO said, “We are certain that our purpose is only to deliver the message, what our users make of the message is their decision. Hence, yes, 30 seconds is enough to do that. We have integrated news in our product – as a channel- with the objective of being unbiased with absolutely no other agenda.”
Pointing out that the country has very informed and aware citizens, Nair said: “The urban youth are opinionated and we must respect and understand that young India can make their own decisions and conclusions and they don’t need many hours of repetitive debates or be told what opinion to form.”
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.
