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.
iWorld
Prime Video unveils biggest India originals slate yet
Nearly 55 titles across languages signal deeper push into films, series
MUMBAI: Prime Video is turning up the volume on Indian storytelling, unveiling its largest-ever Originals slate at the ‘Prime Video Presents’ showcase, with close to 55 series and films spanning languages, genres and formats.
The new lineup, which stretches across Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, signals a clear intent: go bigger, go wider, and meet audiences wherever they are watching, whether on streaming screens or in cinemas. Alongside Originals, the platform also announced a fresh theatrical slate under Amazon MGM Studios, marking a deeper step into the big-screen business.
Among the headline acts is The Revolutionaries, a large-scale drama from Nikkhil Advani starring Bhuvan Bam and Rohit Saraf. The slate also features Matka King with Vijay Varma, Raakh starring Ali Fazal and Sonali Bendre, and Lukkhe, which marks rapper King’s acting debut. Adding a genre twist is Vansh – The Kalyug Warriors, positioned as India’s first homegrown Hindi superhero series for streaming.
Familiar favourites are also making a return, with new seasons of Farzi, Panchayat, Call Me Bae, Dupahiya, Dahaad and The Traitors in the pipeline, reinforcing the platform’s bet on established franchises.
Regional storytelling gets a notable push. Highlights include a Telugu adaptation of The Traitors hosted by Teja Sajja, the drama Guvvala Cheruvu Ghat, and Tamil titles such as Exam and returning seasons of Vadhandhi and Inspector Rishi.
The slate also opens new creative partnerships. Hrithik Roshan’s HRX Films steps into streaming with Storm and Mess, while Alia Bhatt’s Eternal Sunshine Productions backs Don’t Be Shy. Production houses including Excel Entertainment, Tiger Baby Films and The Viral Fever further deepen the creative bench.
On the theatrical front, the platform is lining up five films, including Raftaar starring Rajkummar Rao and Keerthy Suresh, VIBE directed by Kunal Kemmu, Dilkashi with music by A. R. Rahman, Nayyi Navelli featuring Yami Gautam, and Kuku Ki Kundli starring Wamiqa Gabbi.
According to Prime Video India director and head of Svod business Shilangi Mukherji, India remains central to the platform’s global growth, ranking among its top markets for new subscribers. She noted that nearly two-thirds of users watch content in more than four languages, underlining a growing appetite for diverse storytelling.
Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok, said the new slate reflects a continued push towards bold, culturally rooted narratives with global appeal.
In short, Prime Video is not just adding titles, it is widening the lens. From small-town dramas to superhero sagas and cinema-ready spectacles, the message is simple: more stories, more voices, and far more ways to watch them.
