iWorld
ZEE5 goes big on south; brings Asianet News and Suvarna News on its platform
MUMBAI: ZEE5, India's fastest growing ConTech brand,has partnered with Asianet News Network (Asianet and Suvarna News) to offer live news streaming in Malayalam andKannada. This is the first time since its launch in February 2018, that ZEE5 will offer live streaming of news in Malayalamand Kannada languages to its subscribers. This collaboration will offer ZEE5subscribers a holistic viewing experience, including news and entertainment on the go.
Asianet News Network is one of the leading news networks in South India, and Asianet News and Suvarna News are among the most popular in the states of Kerala and Karnataka respectively.The collaboration additionallyoffers five content pieces every dayand catch-up content for both languages i.e. Malayalam and Kannada respectively.
Aparna Acharekar, Programming Head,ZEE5 India said,“While we have some of the biggest names in national news broadcast on our platform, we are now thrilled to welcome Asianet News and Suvarna News into our portfolio. Consumers will now be able to catch up on their day’s dose of entertainment and news at a single click – web series, movies, music, news in their favourite language. Through this association, we have further showcased our commitment to fortify ZEE5’s position as one of the preferredregional OTTplatforms in the country today.”
Abhinav Khare, CEO, Asianet News Groupsaid“Digital is one of the fastest evolving platforms in the news industry today. The alliance plays to bothpartner's individual strength in which the viewer emerges the winner. With growing number of people who prefer one touch solutions to avail information on trends and developmentsit will give both of usan opportunity to widen our reach among the audience. ZEE5 is, today, one of the top regional content producers in the OTT space, and hence collaborating with them seemed a natural next step. We hope this partnership will allow our viewers across the country to access news on our channels, no matter where they are.”
Since its launch,ZEE5 has been focused on bringing a wide range of content to its regional viewers including catch-up TV, Original Content, digital premieres of blockbuster movies and so on. ZEE5 has rolled out around 25 original shows across genres, and the platform is committed to launching 72+ shows by March 2020. It has crossed 70 million+ gross downloads since launch on the Play Store and had 76.4 million global monthly active users globally as of June 2019.
iWorld
Prime Video and Hrithik Roshan reunite for quirky heist comedy Mess
HRX Films expands pact with quirky heist comedy set for production
MUMBAI: Prime Video is doubling down on its partnership with Hrithik Roshan, announcing a new comedy film Mess that promises chaos, chuckles and a clever twist on the classic heist.
Produced by Hrithik Roshan and Eshaan Roshan under HRX Films, a division of FilmKraft Productions, the film is being made in association with Soda Films Lab. Directed by Rajesh A Krishnan, Mess marks the second collaboration between the streaming platform and HRX Films after the upcoming thriller Storm.
At the heart of Mess lies an unusual premise. A group of robbers break into the home of a man with OCD, only to find themselves outmatched in a night-long standoff that flips the script on who is really in control. It is a set-up that blends tension with humour, turning a break-in into a breakdown of expectations.
Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok said, “A good story should surprise and entertain, and Mess does both with ease. It brings together a unique premise, memorable characters and a tone that keeps you laughing throughout.”
He added that the collaboration with HRX Films continues to grow stronger, with the new film reflecting a shared appetite for bold and original storytelling.
Hrithik Roshan said, “After Storm, Mess feels like a natural next step in our journey with Prime Video. The film captures the kind of unconventional storytelling we want to champion, with Rajesh bringing a distinctive voice to the narrative.”
Director Rajesh A Krishnan said, “The world of Mess is a mix of comedy and chaos, unusual enough to keep audiences on edge while still delivering humour. It has been a deeply collaborative and creatively fulfilling experience.”
The original screenplay comes from Paul Soter, with adaptation and dialogues by Kapil Sawant, adding another layer of craft to the film’s offbeat narrative.
As production gears up, Mess looks ready to live up to its name, serving up a delightful tangle of mayhem, mischief and movie magic for audiences in India and beyond.
