iWorld
ShemarooMe presents new web series ‘What The Fafda’
Mumbai: Comedy lovers, rejoice! Get ready to unleash a wave of laughter with ShemarooMe’s latest original web series, ‘What The Fafda’ premiering on the 14 September 2023. This uproarious comedy promises to be your ultimate ticket to a world filled with hilarity and non-stop fun. ‘What The Fafda’ boasts an ensemble of over 40 artists that reads like a who’s who of the Gujarati entertainment industry, featuring the likes of Pratik Gandhi, Sanjay Goradia, Tiku Talsania, Shraddha Dangar, Niilam Panchal, Ishani Dave, Kushal Mistry, Jayesh More, Jhinal Belani, Manan Dave, Bhamini Oza, Prem Gadhvi, Parth Parmar, Dhruvin Kumar, Viraj Ghelani, and other incredible talents. From quirky characters to laugh-out-loud situations, ‘What the Fafda’ serves up a comedy platter that caters to every palate.
Created under the banner of Bombay Story House and spearheaded by Rahul Patel, this situational anthology comedy series is on the brink of becoming your newest addiction. The series introduces an unprecedented format in Gujarati comedy, with each episode offering a humorous perspective on the lives of quirky professionals we often encounter in our daily lives, offering a unique glimpse into their world. Every episode promises to whip up hilarious situations, unveiling their eccentricities and delightfully unconventional working styles. Viewers can expect relatable yet riotous scenarios that will compel them to say ‘What The Fafda’ towards the end of each episode. And if that’s not enough to pique your interest, the series features a catchy title track that perfectly encapsulates the show’s essence and will get you grooving.
Speaking about the excitement surrounding the show’s launch, veteran actor Tiku Talsania expressed his enthusiasm, “During the shoot, the set was filled with young and energetic crew members who knew exactly what they wanted, which is something I appreciate. Everyone has done a fantabulous job, and I am sure the audience will like it as it deviates from the usual ‘baa-bahu’ drama. In a world where comedy has evolved into various forms, including dark humour and biting sarcasm, ShemarooMe and ‘What the Fafda’ team have impressively revived the essence of family-friendly humour that the Gujarati industry is famous for. The viewers will not only enjoy the show but also resonate with its unique concept.”
Actor Manan Dave shared his experience and said, “The audience can see me in two episodes of ‘What The Fafda’. In one of the episodes, I had the privilege of sharing the screen with Tiku sir, a veteran in the industry, and as a young, aspiring actor, I learned invaluable lessons from him. I would like to thank ShemarooMe for this ambitious project, which brings together 40-plus actors from the industry and beautifully blends the talents of both young and veteran Gujarati actors. The result has been nothing short of impressive; each episode carries a unique message that I believe will strike a chord with the audience. I hope the audience watches the series and shower their love on us.”
So, mark your calendars, set your reminders, and prepare to laugh your heart out! ‘What The Fafda’ guarantees an unmatched comedy experience, with every episode designed to have you in splits from start to finish. Don’t miss out on this comedy extravaganza – it’s time to say goodbye to stress and hello to hilarity!
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.
