iWorld
Watcho Exclusives premieres thrilling new series State v/s Ahuja
Mumbai: Watcho Exclusives, the OTT platform from Dish TV India Ltd, has unveiled its first original series of 2024 – State v/s Ahuja. The enthralling thriller series marks the return of actor Ashmit Patel after a brief hiatus. Directed by Tarun Chopra, State v/s Ahuja narrates the captivating tale of Bollywood superstar Ansh Ahuja facing rape accusations from his maid. The series is exclusively available on the Watcho App from 9 February 2024, onwards.
The story follows Ansh Ahuja (Ashmit Patel), a Bollywood superstar embroiled in controversy after being accused of rape by his maid. As the plot thickens, viewers are drawn into a riveting world of suspense, investigation, and courtroom drama, where unexpected revelations keep them hooked. With evidence pointing in different directions, the audience is left to question Ansh’s innocence amidst a web of deceit and conspiracy. The series poses the compelling question: Did Ansh truly commit the crime, or is there a sinister conspiracy at play? With each episode, the suspense deepens, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats until the final revelation.
Over the years, Watcho has delighted viewers with a diverse range of exclusive series spanning various genres such as ‘Oh My Wife!’, ‘Luck Shots’, ‘Aarambh’, ‘GillHarry’, ‘Explosive’, ‘The Morning Show’, ‘Manghadant’, ‘Avaidh’, and ‘Jaunpur’, among others. The OTT App is now gearing up to celebrate its fifth anniversary in 2024 and promises to captivate audiences with a new lineup of original series.
Dish TV India Ltd corporate head of marketing Sukhpreet Singh said, “We are excited to introduce our latest Watcho Exclusive series, ‘State v/s Ahuja’. This marks our first major release of 2024, setting the stage for an exhilarating year ahead. ‘State v/s Ahuja’ will captivate viewers with its compelling narrative, intriguing characters, and unexpected twists. At Watcho, we are committed to bringing you engaging content that resonates with viewers from all walks of life. As we continue to evolve and grow, we are dedicated to delivering quality entertainment that not only engages viewers but also leaves a lasting impact.”
Actor Ashmit Patel, who plays the titular role of Ansh, said, “I’m thrilled not only to return to the screen after a brief break (during which time I’ve been working on my music production and doing my DJ gigs) with such an intriguing concept. ‘State v/s Ahuja’, a Watcho Exclusives series, delves into complex themes and keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The character of Ansh offers a depth and complexity that immediately intrigued me. As an actor, I’m always drawn to roles that push boundaries and provoke thought. ‘State v/s Ahuja’ offered me exactly that opportunity. It allowed me to challenge myself in new ways. When I read the script and the character details, it felt like the perfect project to break my self-imposed hiatus, and without a second thought, I went for it. Now that the series is streaming on Watcho, I can’t wait for viewers to experience this suspenseful story with me.”
‘State v/s Ahuja’, produced by Suresh Thomas under the banners of Crescendo Films and Amicable Crew, features an ensemble cast including Jaswinder Gardner, Anurekha Bhagat, Sarika Singh, Swapnil Ralkar, Apeksha Verma, Drishti Patil, Manish Jaitley, Arjun Krishna, Vicky Baidyanath, and Harsh Gautam.
Immerse yourself in the gripping story of ‘State v/s Ahuja’, exclusively on Watcho, to unravel the truth behind the allegations and the unexpected twists that emerge.
Watch ‘State v/s Ahuja’ on Watcho, accessible across multiple devices including Fire TV Stick, Dish SMRT Hub, D2h Magic, Android, and iOS smartphones, or online at www.WATCHO.com.
e-commerce
Instamart gold dig event at Hussain Sagar goes viral
Hyderabad activation ties to gold price lock offer ahead of Akshaya Tritiya
MUMBAI: All that glitters isn’t just gold, it’s also great marketing. A quirky on-ground activation by Instamart at Hussain Sagar Lake has turned into a viral spectacle, with videos of people digging for gold coins flooding social media feeds this week. The campaign, executed in collaboration with Moms, transformed a patch of the city’s iconic lakefront into what online users quickly dubbed a “mini gold rush”. Armed with spades, participants dug through a mud-filled pit in search of hidden gold coins, an activity that drew crowds, cameras and plenty of commentary online, ranging from amused disbelief to outright fascination.
At the heart of the frenzy was a promotional push for Instamart’s ‘Gold Price Lock’ feature, which allows users to secure prevailing gold rates between April 10 and April 16 and complete their purchase later during Akshaya Tritiya, a period traditionally associated with high gold buying. The mechanic cleverly blended physical participation with digital conversion, turning curiosity into a potential transaction.
Branded as ‘Gold Diggers’, the activation leaned into gamified engagement. Those who struck lucky walked away with coins, those who didn’t were nudged with a simple message: lock the price now, buy later. The result was a steady stream of footfall and a surge in user-generated content, as onlookers and participants alike documented the spectacle.
The timing is significant. India remains one of the world’s largest consumers of gold, with demand peaking around Akshaya Tritiya. Data from the World Gold Council suggests the festival alone accounts for roughly 25–30 tonnes of gold purchases annually, making it a high-stakes window for brands looking to tap into consumer sentiment.
As the ‘Gold Price Lock’ feature remains live until April 16, the campaign has already done its job turning a simple product feature into a citywide moment. Because sometimes, the quickest way to get people talking about gold isn’t to sell it, it’s to make them dig for it.







