iWorld
hoichoi drops trailer for its 100th original ‘Tiktiki’
Mumbai: Bengali entertainment platform hoichoi has unveiled the trailer for its 100th original “Tiktiki.” Directed by Dhrubo Banerjee, the web series is slated to premiere on 18 March.
The launch event celebrated the web debut of actor-director Kaushik Ganguly as the lead cast of the series, as well as the directorial debut of Banerjee on the platform. The show also features Anirban Bhattacharya alongside Ganguly for the first time.
The trailer starts with suspense-laden visuals of a palace and goes on to show a meeting between the polar opposites, Soumendra Krishna Deb (played by Ganguly) and Milan Basak (played by Bhattacharya). Taking off on a cordial note, the meeting soon turns into a duel, absolute chaos as the characters begin to unveil themselves. The trailer ends with a gunshot, leaving the audience at a cliffhanger.
The event also witnessed the launch of the “Tiktiki Game of Chess,” where players can challenge either of the two lead characters of the series. A maximum of 150 kills within 100 seconds, will give them a chance to win a coupon code offering 25 per cent discount on the hoichoi annual subscription. The game is available on the hoichoi app.
“It is an unparalleled moment for me to showcase the trailer of my first web directorial venture in such a grand manner. I feel grateful to my entire team and hoichoi for making this day so special,” said director Dhrubo Banerjee. “Right now, I am cherishing every moment that we have spent in creating Tiktiki. I hope audiences love the show and recognise the passion that has gone into making it.”
“I am happy about not only getting to play such a powerful character as Milan Basak, but also to share the screen with an accomplished actor like Kaushik Ganguly,” added actor Anirban Bhattacharya. “‘Tiktiki’ is the kind of project that I feel will leave a mark in people’s mind. I am grateful to Dhrubo Banerjee for making ‘Tiktiki’ and making me a part of it. I will always have special regard for hoichoi for bringing in such unique content for our audience. I am looking forward to the audience reactions once the show gets released.”
Commenting on his web debut, Kaushik Ganguly shared, “It is an absolute delight for me to be marking my debut with something that is as grand as ‘Tiktiki.’ I am thankful to Dhrubo Banerjee for Soumendra Krishna Deb and simply hope that I have done justice to the character. I would also like to thank Anirban Bhattacharya for being such an amazing co-actor. I am immensely thankful to the entire team of ‘Tiktiki’ and hoichoi for making the journey of my first web series memorable.”
iWorld
Meta warns 200 users after fake Whatsapp spyware attack
Italy-targeted campaign used unofficial app to deploy surveillance spyware.
MUMBAI: It looked like a message, but it behaved like a mole. Meta has warned around 200 users most of them in Italy after uncovering a targeted spyware campaign that weaponised a fake version of WhatsApp to infiltrate devices. The attack, first reported by Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata, relied on classic social engineering with a modern twist: persuading users to download an unofficial WhatsApp clone embedded with surveillance software. The malicious application, believed to be developed by Italian firm SIO through its subsidiary ASIGINT, was designed to mimic the real app closely enough to bypass suspicion.
Meta’s security teams identified roughly 200 individuals who may have installed the compromised version, triggering immediate countermeasures. Affected users were logged out of their accounts and issued alerts warning of potential privacy breaches, with the company describing the incident as a “targeted social engineering attempt” aimed at gaining device-level access.
The malicious app was not distributed via official app stores but circulated through third-party channels, where it was presented as a legitimate WhatsApp alternative. Once installed, it reportedly allowed external operators to access sensitive data stored on the device turning a simple download into a potential surveillance gateway.
According to Techcrunch, Meta is now preparing legal action against the spyware developers to curb further misuse. The company, however, has not disclosed details about the specific individuals targeted or the extent of data compromised.
A Whatsapp spokesperson reiterated that user safety remains the top priority, particularly for those misled into installing the fake iOS application. Meanwhile, reports from La Repubblica suggest the spyware may be linked to “Spyrtacus”, a strain previously associated with Android-based attacks that could intercept calls, activate microphones and even access cameras.
The episode underscores a growing reality in the digital age, the threat is no longer just what you download, but where you download it from. As unofficial apps become increasingly convincing, the line between communication tool and covert surveillance is getting harder to spot and far easier to exploit.
