iWorld
ZEE5 returns as the exclusive OTT partner for MumbaiCha Raja
Mumbai: ZEE5, India and Bharat’s largest home-grown video streaming platform and multilingual storyteller for multiple entertainment seekers, is proud to announce its continued partnership with the iconic MumbaiCha Raja for the second consecutive year. From 19 – 28 September, ZEE5 will be live streaming Bappa’s darshan and aarti straight from the pandal on the platform, bringing the divine festivities of Ganesh Chaturthi directly to the screens of millions of viewers across India, at zero cost.
Adding to the fervor of Ganpati celebration, ZEE5 launched a festive campaign, ‘Manoranjana Cha Raja’ (or ‘Manoranjan Ka Raja’) featuring a compilation of Ganpati celebrations from the top shows on ZEE5.
ZEE5 India chief business officer Manish Kalra, said on the collaboration, “We are elated to embark on another year of festive celebrations, graced by the blessings of MumbaiCha Raja at ZEE5. As a leading OTT platform with a significant presence in the regional markets, our endeavor is to take the iconic celebration of Ganpati at MumbaiCha Raja to millions of households across the nation. I extend my warmest wishes to all our audiences and welcome them to indulge in the joyous celebrations from the comfort of their homes with ZEE5.”
ZEE5 head of AVOD marketing Abhirup Datta said, “The celebration of Ganpati holds a special place in the hearts of people all across India and MumbaiCha Raja is iconic for the devotees. By livestreaming the darshan directly, we offer our audiences an opportunity to experience these auspicious moments in real time. Last year we received an encouraging response from our audiences, and we are going bigger and grander with the celebration this year. I hope that our viewers will join us in celebrating this festive occasion, as we promise/continue to provide them with high-quality and engaging content throughout the festive season.”
ZEE5 offers a diverse range of high-quality content catering to its viewers, showcasing popular titles and a selection of thoughtfully crafted narratives, including premium Marathi titles such as Dharmaveer: Mukkam Post Thane, Mulshi Pattern, Fatteshikast, Zombivli, Timepass 3, Gulabjaam, Timepass, Chi Va Chi Sau Ka, Ventilator, Anandi Gopal, among others.
To watch the Bappa darshan, download the ZEE5 app now or click on the link below.
iWorld
Why Peaky Blinders is one of television’s biggest hits that still deserves more attention
Six seasons, multiple awards and the release of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man bring the Shelby saga back into the spotlight
In the crowded universe of streaming content, only a handful of shows manage to leave a lasting cultural footprint. Peaky Blinders is overwhelmingly considered one of the biggest global hits of the past decade. Yet many viewers still haven’t fully explored the dark, gripping world of the Shelby family.
Originally produced for the UK’s BBC and later finding a massive global audience through Netflix, the series quietly grew from a British period drama into a worldwide streaming phenomenon.
Created by Steven Knight, the show follows the rise of the Shelby crime family in post-First World War Birmingham. What begins as a gritty street-gang story gradually expands into a sweeping narrative about ambition, politics, power and survival.
At the centre of the saga is Thomas Shelby, portrayed with extraordinary depth by Cillian Murphy. The casting of Murphy is widely regarded as perfect for the role. With piercing eyes, restrained dialogue and an almost hypnotic screen presence, he transforms Shelby into one of the most unforgettable characters in modern screen storytelling.
Murphy’s brilliance lies in his restraint. He rarely shouts or performs theatrically. Instead, a quiet stare, a calculated pause or a subtle shift in expression conveys the emotional storms within the character. Beneath the ruthless gang leader is a war veteran carrying trauma, guilt and loneliness. Murphy captures this complexity with remarkable precision, making Thomas Shelby both terrifying and deeply human.
Beyond its central performance, Peaky Blinders stands out for its unfiltered portrayal of reality. The show does not romanticise crime. Instead, it exposes the harsh social conditions of early 20th-century Britain, from poverty and class struggle to political extremism and the psychological scars left by war.
The series also presents powerful female characters who hold their own within the Shelby empire. Polly Gray, played by Helen McCrory, is the strategic backbone of the family and one of the most formidable figures in the story. Women in the series shape decisions, influence power structures and challenge the rigid social norms of the time.
Across six seasons, the narrative grows dramatically in scale. What begins in the smoky streets of Birmingham evolves into a story involving political conspiracies, fascism and international criminal networks.
The series has also earned significant critical acclaim. It won the BAFTA Television Award for Best Drama Series in 2018 and multiple National Television Awards for Best Drama, cementing its reputation as one of Britain’s most celebrated modern shows.
Another defining feature of the series is its iconic music. The show’s opening theme, Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, became instantly recognisable and widely associated with the Shelby universe. Combined with a powerful soundtrack featuring artists such as Arctic Monkeys and Radiohead, the music helped shape the show’s dark, stylish identity and became hugely popular among fans.
And the Shelby story is not over yet.
In fact, its legacy is unfolding right now. The long-awaited feature-length continuation, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, was released on March 6, 2026, bringing the Shelby universe from streaming screens to cinemas and giving fans a new chapter in the saga.
For viewers who have not yet stepped into this world, the timing could not be better.
Six gripping seasons are ready to binge on Netflix. A new film has just arrived in theatres. And at the heart of it all stands one of the most magnetic performances in modern drama by Cillian Murphy.
So if Peaky Blinders has been sitting on your watchlist for years, this weekend is your moment.
So, by order of the Peaky fookin’ Blinders, consider this your cue to finally step into the ruthless world of Thomas Shelby. Pour yourself a drink, clear your schedule and press the play button. Because when the Peaky Blinders give an order, you listen.
