iWorld
HCL Concerts partners Jashn-e-Rekhta 2025 as exclusive music lead
NEW DELHI: HCL Concerts has teamed up with the Rekhta Foundation as the exclusive music partner for Jashn-e-Rekhta 2025, adding fresh energy to the much-loved Urdu festival set for 5 to 7 December at Baansera Park in New Delhi.
For nearly a decade, Jashn-e-Rekhta has been the city’s winter magnet for poetry, language and performance, drawing younger audiences into the world of Urdu. This year’s musical slate, curated with HCL Concerts, promises a lively sweep of styles that travel from classical to qawwali, film to orchestral experimentation.
Across two stages, Mehfil Khana and Dayaar-e-Izhaar, the festival will host a notable line-up. The opening day features Mehakti Khushbu ka Safar Gulzar ke Saath with Gulzar and Divya Dutta, followed by Rang-e-Mausiqi by Sukhvinder Singh.
On 6 December, audiences can experience Dhruv Sangari’s qawwali at Dayaar-e-Izhaar, while Mehfil Khana presents Saaz Aur Sama by Salim-Sulaiman and Rang Aur Noor, Huma Khalil’s homage to cinematic gems shaped by Urdu poets.
The final day brings an Orchestral Qawwali by Abi Sampa and Rushil Ranjan, before closing with Dil Abhi Bhara Nahin, a tribute to Sahir Ludhianvi led by Javed Akhtar, Shankar Mahadevan and Pratibha Singh Baghel.
HCL Group associate general manager Nikhil Soni, said the association reflects the platform’s commitment to widening access to performing arts and supporting artists who shape India’s musical legacy.
Rekhta Foundation head of programmes and festival Satish Gupta, noted that music has always been central to the festival’s charm and that HCL Concerts shares its vision of keeping artistic traditions deeply rooted yet widely resonant.
With this partnership, HCL Concerts continues its push to build a vibrant ecosystem for Indian performing arts while helping cultural expression reach broader, more diverse audiences.
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.
