iWorld
Watcho exclusives premieres pulse-pounding thriller ‘Flash’
Mumbai: Watcho Exclusives, the leading OTT platform from Dish TV India Ltd, has heated up this April with its captivating new mystery thriller series, ‘Flash,’ featuring Anshul Pandey, Sagar Kapoor, and Khawahish in lead roles. Directed by Shaurya Singh, the series unravels the gripping tale of a portrait photographer who finds himself ensnared in a web of mystery and deception when a routine shoot takes an unexpected turn. The enthralling series is exclusively available on the Watcho App starting 5 April 2024.
The story follows Vansh Kundra, a skilled portrait photographer, who embarks on what could be the pinnacle of his career with the mysterious Aksha Chauhan. Enticed by the promise of wealth, Vansh ventures into her lavish but secluded penthouse, only to be greeted by an unsettling atmosphere. As the session progresses, Aksha undergoes a startling transformation, shattering Vansh’s perception of reality. Delving deeper, Vansh realises he’s entered a tangled web of deceit, mystery, and secrets. Caught in a maze of illusions and deception, Vansh must decipher the truth behind Aksha’s identity and the sinister forces at play. Will Vansh be able to uncover the enigma surrounding Aksha in time, or will he become another pawn in her game? With each episode, ‘Flash’ peels back the layers of this twisted tale, leaving viewers breathless and yearning for answers.
Watcho is poised to mark its 5-year milestone in 2024, having delighted viewers with a diverse range of exclusive series across various genres like ‘Oh My Wife!’, ‘Luck Shots’, ‘Aarambh’, ‘GillHarry’, ‘Explosive’, ‘The Morning Show’, ‘Manghadant’, ‘Avaidh’, and ‘Jaunpur’, among others. The team continues to be committed to bringing even more exciting content to its viewers, with ‘Flash’ being a step towards this goal.
Dish TV India Ltd corporate head of marketing Sukhpreet Singh said, “At Watcho, we recognize that thrillers hold an enduring appeal that transcends gender and age boundaries. With the release of ‘Flash,’ we’re poised to captivate audiences once again, building upon the success of our previous thriller, ‘State v/s Ahuja.’ As a platform committed to delivering engaging content, we’re excited to offer another enthralling experience that promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. ‘Flash’ embodies our dedication to providing quality entertainment, and we’re eager to share this gripping journey with our audience.”
Pandey, who plays the titular role of Vansh said, “When I first read the script for ‘Flash,’ I was immediately hooked by my character, Vansh Kundra. I’ve usually played the ‘good guy’ on TV, but OTT has given me the chance to explore and experiment, and ‘Flash’ added yet another feather to my cap. Vansh is a complex character with many layers. He may seem one way on the outside, but there’s a lot more to him underneath. His innocent eyes and smiles hide a secret that will surprise viewers when it’s revealed. I was drawn to the chance to explore these different sides of Vansh, from his innocence to his discovery of the truth. I knew it would be a challenging yet rewarding role to take on. Saying yes to ‘Flash’ was an easy decision for me, and it was a thrilling ride from the get-go. I’m positive that viewers will enjoy this rollercoaster ride, and I’m eager to know their reactions.”
Kapoor, who plays the role of Aditya, added, “As someone with a strong intuitive sense, I simply followed that instinctive feeling, knowing deep down that this project was one I couldn’t pass. My character, Aditya in Flash, undergoes an intense and intriguing journey in the series. I knew it would be a role that would push me and help me grow as an actor. The script was so well-crafted, and the story had so many unexpected twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. Being a part of this Watcho Exclusives series has been an incredible experience, and I’m excited for viewers to see the final product.”
Actress Khawahish, who plays the role of Aksha, shared, “When I was approached for the role of Aksha Chauhan in Watcho Exclusives’ ‘Flash,’ I was thrilled by its unique premise and the opportunity to collaborate with such a talented cast and crew. As an actor, I was eager to explore the depths of her psyche and unravel the layers of her character. It is a series that offers a perfect blend of suspense, drama, and intrigue, keeping both the characters and the audience on their toes. I’m grateful for this opportunity and looking forward to the audience’s response.”
Produced by Jagriti Rajpoot and Tanishq Raj under the banner of Rudrakshanam Films, ‘Flash’ illuminates the blurred lines between reality and illusion as Vansh navigates a treacherous web of secrets and deceit.
iWorld
WhatsApp tests ‘WhatsApp Plus’ paid subscription tier
€2.49 plan adds customisation tools, messaging and calls remain free.
MUMBAI: Your chats may soon get a glow-up at a small monthly price. WhatsApp is testing a new paid subscription tier called ‘WhatsApp Plus’, signalling a shift towards premium personalisation features while keeping its core services free. The feature is currently being rolled out to a limited set of Android beta users, with early reports from WABetaInfo indicating a price of €2.49 per month (approximately Rs 274). Meta has confirmed the test, stating that it is designed for users who want more control over how they customise and organise their app experience.
Importantly, the subscription remains optional. Core functionalities including messaging, voice calls and community features will continue to be available free of charge, ensuring that the platform’s primary use case remains unchanged.
Instead, WhatsApp Plus focuses on aesthetic and organisational upgrades. These include exclusive sticker packs, new themes, custom app icons and personalised notification tones. On the functional side, subscribers may be able to pin up to 20 chats significantly higher than the current limit of three along with access to custom chat lists and enhanced categorisation tools.
Industry observers suggest the offering is largely cosmetic. Social media consultant Matt Navarra noted that the features lean more towards visual and usability enhancements rather than altering the app’s core functionality.
While global pricing has not been finalised, the subscription is expected to remain a low-cost monthly plan, with reports indicating a possible one-month free trial for eligible users. The feature is still in beta, meaning the final set of offerings could evolve before a broader rollout. Support for iOS users is also anticipated in the coming weeks.
The move mirrors a broader trend in the social and messaging ecosystem, where platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram have introduced similar subscription layers adding premium features without placing core services behind a paywall.
For WhatsApp, the strategy appears clear, keep the conversation free, but charge for a little extra flair around it.
