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Prime Video’s Maitri: Female First Collective dives deeper into the female gaze in storytelling
Mumbai – Prime Video, India’s most loved entertainment destination, has released the latest session of Maitri: Female First Collective, which highlights the significance of female gaze in Indian content. The ‘female gaze’ in entertainment refers to storytelling that centers on women, driven by their inner worlds and motivations rather than by men. It emphasizes female agency and perspectives, focusing on how women view the world and make decisions. Maitri: Female First Collective is an endeavour to create a safe space where women from the Indian media and entertainment industry can come together to discuss their experiences, challenges and successes, and offer their perspective on bringing about a positive shift.
The session featured seven eminent women from India’s media and entertainment industry, ranging from actors Ananya Panday and Kritika Kamra, to women who have left an indelible mark behind the camera, like screenwriter & creator, Ishita Moitra, director & writer Tanuja Chandra, director & editor Namrata Rao, and Faye D’Souza, journalist and founder & editor, Beatroot News, in addition to Smriti Kiran, creator & curator, Maitri and founder, Polka Dots LightBox, who moderated the session.
Watch the latest session of Maitri: Female First Collective here –
The participants shared personal anecdotes on how the female gaze is imperative to changing the narratives, leading to richer and more complex portrayals on screen. Actor Ananya Panday spoke about her evolving approach to selecting the stories she wants to be a part of, stating, “Over time, I have become much more vocal about what I stand for. I know I can contribute and ask for changes when something doesn’t align with my beliefs. Today, I choose projects that portray real, flawed, but honest women, and I take responsibility to ensure my work reflects those beliefs. If I can make people feel comfortable in their own skin through my roles, then I’m happy.”
Kritika Kamra discussed how streaming has helped create a space for female gaze in stories. “I’ve played a gangster – something I never thought I’d do. This is possible because the writing has changed, platforms are commissioning diverse shows, and audiences are accepting them,” she said.
The panelists explored the evolving role of women in the industry, noting greater opportunities to assert their voices and break through gender biases, resulting in more authentic and nuanced representations of female characters. Ishita Moitra shared, “It’s about the perspectives you bring, not just gender. The younger generation, including men, is thinking differently, and this shift is already visible on screen, with much more to come in the next decade.”
However, the panel acknowledged that despite notable progress, gender imbalance persists. Tanuja Chandra felt that positive change for better female representation and equality in the industry is not happening quickly enough, while Namrata Rao expressed delight at having the opportunity to work with a female crew in her directorial debut, and the need to have more such projects in the industry. Faye D’Souza said she believes real systemic change will happen when it benefits everyone from lead actors to crew members, with Smriti Kiran concluding that continuous dialogue is essential for shifting mindsets and addressing industry imbalances.
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.
