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Telugu OTT Aha fosters female entrepreneurs with ‘Women In Focus’ initiative
KOLKATA: Taking a leaf out of their upcoming women-centric original web series 11th Hour, Telugu OTT platform Aha has partnered with We Hub – India’s first state-led incubator for women entrepreneurs backed by the government in Telangana – to kickstart aha X We Hub: Women In Focus initiative that aims to promote and foster women entrepreneurship by setting up a revolving fund.
This fund will give aspiring young women entrepreneurs a chance to have their ideas heard and an opportunity to build their very own successful and sustainable businesses. The first recipient of the inaugural financial aid through this initiative is Sortizy, a holistic one stop solution for kitchen management founded by Surbhi Guha and Sagthi Prakash.
Launching the initiative with their latest original, both the organisations will extend the collaboration for upcoming aha originals as well.
Through 11th Hour, starring prominent actress Tamannaah Bhatia in her digital debut, Aha will be showcasing the story of a dynamic CEO, Aratrika Reddy. The show will follow Aratrika’s journey as she fights tooth and nail to save her company from an impending financial ruin overnight.
The show, inspired by Upendra Namburi’s book 8 Hours, is already making waves on social media platforms with its trailer. It is produced and written by Pradeep Uppalapati under Introupe Films banner and is directed by Praveen Sattaru. The cast includes actors such as Arun Adith, Vamsi Krishna, Roshni Prakash, Priya Banerjee, Abhijeeth Poondla, Shatru, Madhusudhan Rao, Jayaprakash, Pavithra Lokesh, Srikanth Iyengar, and Anirudh Balaji.
Aha promoter Meghana Rao Jupally said, “Out with the old and in with new is what this partnership between aha and We Hub signifies. Through the aha X We Hub: Women In Focus initiative, we will be able change the light in which society sees women entrepreneurs and give these young women the platform to succeed in their own merit. With the same thought in mind, at aha we want to continue to tell stories that inspire young women and our future slate will be a testimony to that.”
We Hub CEO Deepthi Ravula said, “The social conditioning of our society has always led many to believe that women cannot be good at business. However, that is far from the reality. Even today where we have various women at top positions of global conglomerates, many young aspiring women entrepreneurs are facing a tough time in getting funding for their idea. To overcome such obstacles, We Hub, India’s first state led incubator for women was conceptualised by the government of Telangana in 2018. To provide a conducive ecosystem we partner with like-minded and leading industry players such as aha to provide financial aids to the brilliant women entrepreneurs. We are excited to have formed this association with Aha and look forward to building a new start-up ecosystem for women entrepreneurs.”
iWorld
Prime Video and Hrithik Roshan reunite for quirky heist comedy Mess
HRX Films expands pact with quirky heist comedy set for production
MUMBAI: Prime Video is doubling down on its partnership with Hrithik Roshan, announcing a new comedy film Mess that promises chaos, chuckles and a clever twist on the classic heist.
Produced by Hrithik Roshan and Eshaan Roshan under HRX Films, a division of FilmKraft Productions, the film is being made in association with Soda Films Lab. Directed by Rajesh A Krishnan, Mess marks the second collaboration between the streaming platform and HRX Films after the upcoming thriller Storm.
At the heart of Mess lies an unusual premise. A group of robbers break into the home of a man with OCD, only to find themselves outmatched in a night-long standoff that flips the script on who is really in control. It is a set-up that blends tension with humour, turning a break-in into a breakdown of expectations.
Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok said, “A good story should surprise and entertain, and Mess does both with ease. It brings together a unique premise, memorable characters and a tone that keeps you laughing throughout.”
He added that the collaboration with HRX Films continues to grow stronger, with the new film reflecting a shared appetite for bold and original storytelling.
Hrithik Roshan said, “After Storm, Mess feels like a natural next step in our journey with Prime Video. The film captures the kind of unconventional storytelling we want to champion, with Rajesh bringing a distinctive voice to the narrative.”
Director Rajesh A Krishnan said, “The world of Mess is a mix of comedy and chaos, unusual enough to keep audiences on edge while still delivering humour. It has been a deeply collaborative and creatively fulfilling experience.”
The original screenplay comes from Paul Soter, with adaptation and dialogues by Kapil Sawant, adding another layer of craft to the film’s offbeat narrative.
As production gears up, Mess looks ready to live up to its name, serving up a delightful tangle of mayhem, mischief and movie magic for audiences in India and beyond.
