iWorld
Zee5 Global unveils new content line-up for January
KOLKATA: Leading OTT Zee5 Global has unveiled a line-up of fresh content to kickstart the new year with a bang.
Raising the curtains on 2021 on 1 January, the much-anticipated Zee5 Original Nail Polish takes viewers on a hypnotic journey of the uncertainties of the human mind. Nail Polish features an ensemble cast including Arjun Rampal, Manav Kaul, Ranjit Kapoor, and Anand Tiwari.
On 7 January, a satirical comedy Kaagaz will narrate the story of a man who fought for his life for 19 years after being declared dead by a group of people keen to take over his assets. Starring the epitome of versatility, Pankaj Tripathi in the lead role, Zee5 original Kaagaz is directed by Satish Kaushik and is one of the most anticipated releases of 2021.
Zee5 second Bangladeshi original What The Fry is set to premiere on 9 January. Directed by National Award-winning director Anam Biswas, What The Fry is a heart-warming tale of a suicidal film star who meets a simple guy and finds a deeper meaning to life. The show is free to watch for viewers in Bangladesh.
Under its pay-per-view vertical Plex, Zee5 Global is set to release two digital-first blockbuster films. Premiering on 13 January, the comedy-drama Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari will take viewers back to the 90’s, before the social media era, where a wedding detective performs background checks on prospective grooms. The movie features some of the most acclaimed actors of the industry including Manoj Bajpayee, Diljit Dosanj and Fatima Sana Shaikh.
On 14 January, another comedy-drama Biskoth will drop, with two prolific stars of the Tamil film industry – Santhanam and Tara Alisha.
On 22 January, the platform will release a gripping original Jeet Ki Zid. An Amit Sadh starrer, the series is based on a true story of grit, determination and the military. It’s the tale of a soldier whose never give-up attitude helps him overcome tough challenges and turn the impossible into possible.
Yet another action-packed Original, this time from Zee5-Alt Balaji combine, Bang Bang will premiere on 26 January. Shot in the picturesque landscape of Maharashtra, it is a high-octane thriller starring Ruhi Singh, Faisal Sheikh amongst others.
Popular Tamil serial Singa Penne will return to Zee5, continuing the story of a girl who falls in love with a boy in the armed forces and decides to cross every hurdle to join the army herself. The second part of Singa Penne season one premieres on India’s Republic Day – 26 January.
Lastly, on 27 January, Zee5 Global will stream its new TV show, Teri Meri Ek Jindri, encompassing the lives of two young lovers against the backdrop of Punjab. The new Zee TV romantic show is based on the evergreen mantra that opposites attract.
iWorld
Prime Video drops trailer for Lukkhe, a rap crime drama starring KING in his acting debut
Eight episodes of revenge, redemption and hard-hitting rap arrive on the streaming platform on 8th May
MUMBAI: Prime Video has unveiled the trailer for Lukkhe, an eight-episode musical action drama built around the world of rap, crime and bruised relationships — and it has done so in suitably loud fashion, launching it at a live concert in Mumbai featuring electrifying performances by KING, Amira Gill, Akshath, Raashii Khanna, Ruaa Kayy and RUTVXK. As if that were not enough, the show’s music album was also dropped at the event, in collaboration with exclusive music streaming partner Amazon Music and music label Warner Music India.
The series is directed by Himank Gaur and produced by Vipul D. Shah and Rajesh Bahl under the banners of Optimystix Entertainment and White Guerrilla LLP. It is created and executive produced by Agrim Joshi and Debojit Das Purkayastha.
The cast is the talking point. KING, the acclaimed Indian rapper and songwriter, makes his acting debut as MC Badnaam, a performer consumed by rivalry and hunger for recognition. Raashii Khanna, returning to Prime Video after Farzi, plays Gurbani. Palak Tiwari, making her streaming debut, plays Sanober. Lakshvir Singh Saran plays Lucky. The ensemble also includes Nakul Roshan Sahdev, Kritika Bharadwaj, Shivankit Parihar, Yograj Singh and Ayesha Raza Mishra in pivotal roles.
The trailer plants its flag squarely in the tension between MC Badnaam and his rival MC OG, played by Parihar, while threading in the love story between Lucky and Sanober. The soundtrack, which spans hard-hitting rap anthems to emotionally charged melodies, is as much a character in the show as any of its leads.
Gaur was candid about what drew him to the project. “Lukkhe gave me a chance to dive into a world that’s loud, emotional, and constantly on edge,” he said. “What stayed with me was how every character is chasing something personal, and music becomes their way of expressing it. Working with this cast, especially KING in his debut, along with Raashii, Lakshvir, and Palak, was incredibly rewarding because they brought honesty that elevated every moment.”
Khanna reflected on her character with evident relish. “Playing Gurbani in Lukkhe was a really intense and fulfilling experience,” she said. “What I found most interesting was how her strength comes from something deeply personal, which shapes every decision she makes. It was about finding that balance between vulnerability and grit.”
KING, stepping in front of the camera for the first time, was characteristically direct. “Stepping into Lukkhe as MC Badnaam has been a defining moment for me,” he said. “What drew me in was how real his hunger and need to be heard felt. It’s something I connect with as an artist. Bringing music into his journey made the experience even more personal.”
Tiwari described the role as a first on multiple fronts. “It was my first time working with Prime Video, and the whole experience felt new and creatively satisfying,” she said. “Being part of a story that has both intense and heartfelt moments, along with a team that brought so much honesty to it, made this journey truly memorable.”
Saran, for his part, zeroed in on what made Lucky tick. “Lucky is someone who’s trying to move forward while still carrying the weight of his past, and that push-pull made him really interesting to explore,” he said. “There’s a sincerity to his journey that I hope people connect with.”
Lukkhe premieres on Prime Video in Hindi on 8th May, across India and in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. In a streaming landscape drowning in crime dramas, this one is betting that putting a rapper at its centre – and meaning it – is enough to cut through the noise. On the evidence of the trailer, it might just be right.
