iWorld
Holy Soundwaves, Shaktimaan’s Back on Air with Pocket FM
MUMBAI: The power of truth, the sound of justice and a voice that can still stop villains in their tracks. India’s original superhero, Shaktimaan, has returned not on TV, but through the airwaves with Pocket FM’s 40-episode audio series Shaktimaan Returns, streaming free for all listeners.
It’s not just a reboot; it’s a revival wrapped in sound, heart, and nostalgia. Backed by Mukesh Khanna, the original creator and face of Shaktimaan, the series reimagines the iconic hero for the streaming age complete with cinematic sound design, a 10-hour-long immersive experience, and a storyline that’s as timely as it is timeless.
This time, Shaktimaan isn’t just fighting the usual rogues’ gallery. His newest nemesis is mankind’s oldest foe greed. In this environmental thriller, the superhero takes on Mahatatva, a corrupted guardian of balance who wants to restore harmony to Earth by extreme means. To save humanity, Shaktimaan must find five mystical Manis of Elements each holding the power of nature itself and rediscover that real strength comes from compassion, not chaos.
Pocket FM’s production is a masterclass in nostalgia with a purpose. Familiar names Gangadhar Shastri, Gita Vishwas, Mahatma, and TRP Baba return to the soundscape, breathing life into one of India’s largest audio superhero productions to date. With its blend of adrenaline, moral lessons, and a cinematic soundscape, Shaktimaan Returns is both a tribute and an evolution.
“For many of us, Shaktimaan was the first hero we truly believed in,” said Pocket FM CEO and co-founder Rohan Nayak. “This isn’t just a 90s reboot, it’s a reawakening of Indian heroism told through modern storytelling. The world has long looked to the West for superheroes, but India’s legends are rooted in values and imagination. Shaktimaan’s comeback is proof that Indian icons can evolve and still inspire.”
For Mukesh Khanna, the man who first wore the maroon cape, the project feels like coming home only this time, to a new medium. “Shaktimaan was created to inspire truth, selflessness, and courage in young minds,” Khanna said. “Pocket FM has reimagined it beautifully. They’ve preserved the essence while giving it a new voice. It’s heartening to know Shaktimaan still lives in a form today’s generation can connect with.”
But Pocket FM didn’t stop at nostalgia, they added a cheeky wink. To celebrate the launch, the platform dropped a viral brand film titled “Distressed Villains”, starring Bollywood’s most iconic 90s baddies Gulshan Grover, Ranjeet, Shehzad Khan, Shahbaz Khan, and Surendra Pal (yes, Tamraj Kilvish himself). The clip shows the villains in panic mode as they learn of Shaktimaan’s return, reviving the classic one-liners from “Andheraa…” to “By God!” in a laugh-out-loud reunion of Indian pop culture.
“We wanted to celebrate Shaktimaan’s return in a way that’s fun and full of nostalgia,” said Pocket FM SVP and head of brand marketing Vineet Singh. “Who better to react than the very villains who made our childhoods so entertaining? It’s not just a campaign; it’s a time machine for every 90s kid.”
As Shaktimaan Returns takes flight on Pocket FM, it marks a new milestone for Indian storytelling where superheroes no longer just leap across screens but echo through speakers, powered by imagination and audio innovation.
Because whether it’s 1998 or 2025, when darkness rises, the light and the legend of Shaktimaan always returns.
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.
