iWorld
Prime Video unveils Dil Dosti Dilemma
Mumbai: Prime Video, India’s most loved entertainment destination, today unveiled a delightful and heartwarming trailer for its upcoming young adult drama, Dil Dosti Dilemma. An adaptation of the book ‘Asmara’s Summer’, published by Penguin Random House and authored by Andaleeb Wajid, this intriguing coming-of-age Original series has been produced by Ten Years Younger Productions with Seema Mohapatra and Jahanara Bhargava serving as Creative Producers. Directed by Debbie Rao and written by Anuradha Tiwari, Bugs Bhargava Krishna, Raghav Dutt, and Manjiri Vijay, the seven-part series is a feel-good drama that emphasizes the significance of embracing one’s roots, nurturing relationships, and discovering oneself. The series boasts of a talented ensemble cast including Anushka Sen, Kush Jotwani, Tanvi Azmi, and Shishir Sharma in lead roles, supported by Shruti Seth, Suhasini Mulay, Vishakha Pandey, Revathi Pillai, and Elisha Mayor playing pivotal roles. Dil Dosti Dilemma will premiere in Hindi, with dubs in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada, exclusively on Prime Video in India and across more than 240 countries and territories worldwide on April 25.
The trailer introduces viewers to Asmara- a witty and charming young girl from a privileged family in Bengaluru, who is excited to spend her summer holidays in Canada. But her plans take an unexpected turn when she ends up at Tibbri Road, the middle-class neighborhood of her maternal grandparents. What she initially views as a punishment soon becomes a journey of new experiences and realizations. Through some mishaps, new friendships, a budding romance, and many heartwarming moments, Asmara begins to understand that there is more to life than material things and luxury vacations.
Debbie Rao, the director of the series, shared, “Dil Dosti Dilemma is a special project for me, marking my second collaboration with my favorite streaming service – Prime Video, following our work on Pushpavalli. When I came across the script, what struck me was its ability to deliver a wholesome narrative that resonates with everyone featuring relatable characters one can truly connect with. Throughout the making of the series, we tried to stay true to the characters, their emotions, and the bonds between different generations – from teenagers to grandparents. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, and I’m confident it will capture the audience’s hearts worldwide, in more ways than one.”
Sen, who brings Asmara to life in Dil Dosti Dilemma, shares, “Reading the script of this series, was like finding a piece of myself in Asmara’s character – she’s both familiar and unique in her own way. What really drew me to this story, is that it is a celebration of friendships and the importance of family bonds. I believe Dil Dosti Dilemma is a fresh, relatable story that speaks to people of all ages. I’m grateful to our director Debbie, the producers, and the entire Prime Video team for believing in me and giving me this opportunity to portray such a complex, endearing, and relatable character. I’m eagerly looking forward to the series’ launch on April 25, both in India and in over 240 countries, and I can’t wait to see the audiences’ reaction to this beautifully crafted story.”
“I am so thrilled to make my acting debut as Farzaan in Dil Dosti Dilemma, which will always hold a special place in my heart. This show taught me some important life lessons like the significance of self-belief and staying true to oneself, no matter the situation or consequences. It also showed me the power of love and relationships, which have reflected in my performance, adding depth to my character. I’m excited to see how audiences react to my work in Dil Dosti Dilemma,” shared Kush Jotwani.
Azmi, who portrays Asmara’s Nani (maternal grandmother) in the series, shared, “Throughout my career, I’ve always gravitated towards roles that feel real because I believe that authenticity truly challenges an actor. My character in Dil Dosti Dilemma embodies pride in her roots, she embraces change gradually, and is sometimes stubborn but also sees the best in others. I was particularly impressed by the meticulous casting done by the creators and Prime Video, as I believe that it is the most crucial element in bringing a story to life. I have complete confidence that this series will resonate deeply with audiences. It has heart, soul, and relatability that will captivate their attention from the very beginning. I eagerly await the series’ premiere on April 25 on Prime Video and invite everyone to experience this beautiful narrative unfold.”
Sharma, who portrays Asmara’s Nana (maternal grandfather) in Dil Dosti Dilemma, shared his experience working on the series, saying, “Dil Dosti Dilemma marks my third collaboration with Prime Video after Made in Heaven and Permanent Roommates. When I was approached for this series, I learned about its origin in the book ‘Asmara’s Summer’ by Andaleeb Wajid, which immediately caught my attention. Dil Dosti Dilemma serves as a vibrant adaptation of this tale, skillfully capturing its authenticity and relatability while preserving its essence and conveying a touching message about relationships and community. I am confident that audiences, both in India and globally, will deeply appreciate this series for its portrayal of timeless emotions surrounding love, friendships, and embracing one’s legacy and roots.”
Gaming
MTG gaming chief Benninghoff joins NODWIN board as esports firm primes for IPO
The Gurugram-based esports firm is pursuing a public listing, has returned to profitability and is growing revenues by 42 per cent
GURUGRAM: NODWIN Gaming is moving fast. The Gurugram-based gaming and esports company has launched a pre-IPO fundraising round, appointed UBS as lead adviser for both the round and a subsequent public listing, and landed a heavyweight board director, all in one go.
The new board member is Arnd Benninghoff, executive vice president of gaming at Stockholm-listed Modern Times Group (MTG), who has overseen the group’s strategic investments and portfolio growth since 2014. He is no stranger to building things: Benninghoff has founded and built fifteen companies, served as chief digital officer at ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG, managing director of SevenVentures, and chief executive of Holtzbrinck eLAB. He began his career as a journalist at Deutsche Presse Agentur and various TV networks, holds a Diplom-Kaufmann in business and administration from the University of Münster, and previously sat on the board of Edgeware AB.
The numbers back the ambition
NODWIN is not pitching a story without substance. The company has returned to EBITDA profitability and posted a 42 per cent year-on-year revenue surge, reaching $58.5m in the first nine months of FY2026. The pre-IPO round will combine a primary issuance to fund global expansion through organic growth and acquisitions, alongside a secondary sale to give existing shareholders some liquidity.
Akshat Rathee, co-founder and managing director of NODWIN Gaming, said Benninghoff understands “the entire lifecycle of the gaming and media ecosystem, from the boots-on-the-ground reality of building startups to the strategic complexity of managing multi-billion dollar global portfolios.”
Benninghoff, for his part, said the company “sits at the intersection of sports, entertainment, and technology, making it one of the most exciting players in the global gaming landscape today.”
A portfolio built for the global south
Founded in 2014 by Rathee and Gautam Virk, NODWIN has quietly assembled one of the more compelling esports portfolios outside the Western hemisphere. Its properties include DreamHack India and Comic Con India, and it recently acquired StarLadder, the Ukraine-based tournament organiser behind premier events in CS:GO and Dota 2. The company also serves as a long-term strategic marketing partner for the Evolution Championship Series (EVO), the world’s most prominent fighting game tournament, helping push it into new geographies.
Its geographic focus spans South Asia, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Backers include Nazara Technologies, KRAFTON, Sony Group Corporation, JetSynthesys, and the founders’ investment vehicle Good Game Investments.
What comes next
With UBS running the books, a board freshly reinforced with European media and gaming expertise, and revenue heading in the right direction, NODWIN is laying the groundwork deliberately. The esports industry has burned investors before with big promises and thin margins. NODWIN’s return to profitability, combined with a real portfolio of owned intellectual properties across gaming, music and youth culture, gives it a more credible runway than most. The IPO clock is now ticking.
