iWorld
ZEE5 announces season 2 of flagship franchise Rangbaaz
MUMBAI: After the phenomenal success of the first season of its marquee gangster drama, ZEE5, India’s fastest growing OTT platform, announces Rangbaaz Season 2 starring Jimmy Shergill and Gul Panag in lead roles. Written by Siddharth Mishra (who also wrote Season 1), directed by Sachin Pathak and produced by JAR Productions, Rangbaaz Season 2, is back with another story of a gangster.
The nine-episode series is an unusual tale of a dream gone wrong. It is a fast-paced, crime thriller which encompasses caste supremacy and political rivalry of a gangster who was also referred to as ‘Robinhood’ by many. The series further brings to the forefront the fateful encounter that ended his life. This season will also see actors Zeeshan Ayyub and Sushant Singh in key roles.
Speaking on Rangbaaz Season 2, Jimmy Shergill said, “The script of Rangbaaz Season 2 is gritty, and action-packed. It is a challenging role inspired from a true story. We started shooting early this month. Season 1 created a lot of noise and fan following. Our attempt with Season 2 is the same. It will soon premiere on ZEE5. Watch out.”
Writer Siddharth Mishra said, “Rangbaaz Season 1 was special as it was a story I had been wanting to write since ’98. For a writer, it is an overwhelming experience when the whole project comes together with a stellar cast, director, producer and a platform like ZEE5. Moreover, the audience and critics loved Season 1 and have been waiting eagerly for Season 2. This time, the story is inspired by true events of another feared gangster, in a completely different landscape and one that will stick with the viewers like it did in the first season. Watch this space for more.”
Director Sachin Pathak shares, “The first season of Rangbaaz received rave reviews and massive applause from audiences. I am humbled and thrilled to have the opportunity to direct Rangbaaz Season 2. It is always a challenge to bring to life true stories. The entire team along with ZEE5, the cast and JAR Productions is heavily invested in this and we look forward to celebrating another successful season.”
Aparna Acharekar, Programming Head, ZEE5 India said, “Rangbaaz continues to do very well on our platform with loyal followers and now Season 2 going is going to be bolder, sharper and more entertaining. Jimmy Shergill is a fine actor and we are delighted to have him onboard for this show along with Gul Panag and the other cast who will be announced soon. The story is inspired from true incidents and we are looking forward to launching Season 2 of our most loved franchise.”
Rangbaaz Season 1 was a huge success and starred actors Saqib Saleem, Ranvir Shorey, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Ravi Kishan, Aahana Kumra amongst others. It was set against the rustic background of the Gorakhpur of the 90’s with hues of crime, blood, lust and dirty politics. The series was appreciated by audiences across and encouraged the makers to continue the lineage by launching season 2.
With over 3500 films, 500+ TV shows, 4000+ music videos, 35+ theatre plays and 80+ LIVE TV Channels across 12 languages, ZEE5 truly presents a blend of unrivalled content offering for its viewers across the nation and worldwide.
e-commerce
American Express to acquire AI startup Hyper to boost automation
Deal targets expense management as AI reshapes corporate spending tools.
MUMBAI: From receipts to robots, the expense sheet is getting a brain upgrade as American Express moves to bring artificial intelligence into the heart of corporate spending. The company has announced plans to acquire Hyper, a relatively young but fast-rising startup founded in 2022 that builds AI-powered agents capable of organising expenses, generating reports, verifying compliance with budgets and policies, and nudging users with timely reminders. The deal, expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, underscores a growing shift among financial institutions to automate traditionally manual, time-heavy workflows.
Hyper counts Sam Altman among its backers, adding a layer of Silicon Valley credibility to the acquisition. While financial details remain undisclosed, the strategic intent is clear: deepen automation capabilities and sharpen American Express’s position in the competitive corporate spending ecosystem.
The two companies are not strangers. They previously collaborated in 2024 on a co-branded credit card product, suggesting that the acquisition is less a cold buy and more an extension of an existing relationship. With this move, American Express is effectively bringing that capability in-house, aiming to embed AI directly into its commercial services stack.
Chief executive Stephen Squeri had already signalled the direction of travel in a recent shareholder letter, describing AI as a “structural shift” in how businesses operate. The Hyper acquisition appears to be a direct response to that shift, particularly in expense management, where processes such as approvals, compliance checks and reporting remain ripe for automation.
Alongside the acquisition, the company is also expanding its product suite. A recently launched business credit card offers cashback and benefits at an annual fee of $295, with another card expected later this year moves that complement its broader push into commercial services.
Taken together, the strategy points to a future where managing expenses may require fewer spreadsheets and more algorithms. For American Express, the bet is simple, if businesses are rethinking how work gets done, the tools that power that work need to evolve just as quickly.
