iWorld
ZEE5 to foray into the horror-comedy genre with the upcoming original film Kakuda
Mumbai: Prepare for a spine-chilling yet hilarious experience as ZEE5, India’s largest home-grown video streaming platform and a multilingual storyteller, announces its foray into the horror-comedy genre with the upcoming original film, ‘Kakuda’. Produced by RSVP and directed by the acclaimed filmmaker of successful titles like ‘Zombivili’ and ‘Munjya’, Aditya Sarpotdar, this film promises to be a laughter riot with a twist of fear. Starring the powerhouse trio of Riteish Deshmukh, Sonakshi Sinha, and Saqib Saleem, ‘Kakuda’ will soon premiere on ZEE5.
‘Kakuda’ is set in the village of Ratodi in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura district. While Ratodi seems like any other village, it isn’t because of the curse inflicted upon it for years. Every house in the district has two similar-looking doors, one that is normal size and one which is smaller than the other. The film revolves around a peculiar ritual that demands the opening of the smaller door of each house every Tuesday at 7:15 PM sharp. Failure to comply with this rule invites the wrath of Kakuda, who punishes the man of the house. But who is Kakuda…Why does he punish the men in the village? How will the villagers get rid of the curse? Beware! Ab Mard Khatre Me Hai!
Based in the heartland, Kakuda is a horror comedy that will keep the audience intrigued, entertained and engrossed through its narrative. The movie will soon premiere on ZEE5 in Hindi.
ZEE5 India chief business officer Manish Kalra stated, “At ZEE5, we take pride in consistently pushing the envelope and exploring uncharted territories to entertain our viewers. With our original film ‘Kakuda’, we are venturing into the realm of horror-comedy, a genre that resonates positively with the audience and aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering diverse and engaging content. Moreover, we are elated to have phenomenal talents like Sonakshi Sinha, Riteish Deshmukh, and Saqib Saleem leading this film. Known for their impeccable comic timing, this stellar ensemble and the thrilling narrative of ‘Kakuda’ will bring the genre to life. We hope that this movie will be appreciated and enjoyed by audiences across the country, further establishing ZEE5 as the ultimate destination for cutting-edge entertainment.”
Ronnie Screwvala said, “We are thrilled to partner with ZEE5, India’s leading streaming platform, for our unique horror-comedy ‘Kakuda’ starring Ritesh Deshmukh, Sonakshi Sinha and Saqib Saleem. We are confident that ‘Kakuda’ will resonate with Indian audiences, given the exciting genre and our partnership with ZEE5 ensures that this story reaches millions of viewers, from the comfort of their homes.”
“As a filmmaker and a fan of the horror-comedy genre, I find it incredibly fascinating to explore the delicate balance between fear and laughter. It’s a challenging task to make viewers simultaneously scared and amused, but with ‘Kakuda,’ I am confident that we have hit the right chord yet again,” said director Aditya Sarpotdar.
He added, “I am thrilled to have worked with an exceptionally talented cast, including Riteish Deshmukh, Sonakshi Sinha, Saqib Saleem and Aasif Khan who have supported the narrative brilliantly by adding humour and emotions to the story. Their spotless comic timing and the way they portray genuine emotions have made my job as a director much easier. Together, we have crafted a unique and engaging story that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating every twist and turn. ‘Kakuda’ is an experience that will take the audience on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, and I am immensely grateful to ZEE5 for believing in my vision and providing me with the platform to bring this story to life. Can’t wait to drop the trailer of this film and see the reactions of the fans.”
Fasten your seat belts and get comfy on your couches as ‘Kakuda’ premieres soon on ZEE5!
iWorld
Subedaar puts Indian original cinema on the global map with record-breaking Prime Video debut
MUMBAI: Prime Video has a runaway hit on its hands. Subedaar, the gritty action drama starring Anil Kapoor, has stormed to become the most-watched Indian original movie on the platform in its opening weekend, cracking the Top 10 across 31 countries and landing in 91 per cent of India’s pin codes within days of its March 5 premiere.
The film, a visceral, emotionally-charged story of a retired soldier, Subedaar Arjun Maurya, wrestling with civilian life amid crime and corruption, has struck a nerve. Directed by Suresh Triveni and co-starring Radhikka Madan, Mona Singh, Saurabh Shukla, Aditya Rawal, Faisal Malik, and Khushboo Sundar, the film is already being hailed as a showcase for what Indian original storytelling can achieve on the world stage.
“Subedaar’s success is a reflection of the growing scale and global resonance of Indian storytelling,” said Nikhil Madhok, director and head of originals at Prime Video India. “The film’s emotional narrative, its rooted portrayal of a soldier confronting his toughest battles beyond the battlefield, has struck a chord. Anil Kapoor delivers an acting masterclass, while Suresh Triveni’s solid direction and great performances from the ensemble cast have resulted in love and appreciation from customers across the world.”
Kapoor, 62, has been here before, but rarely at this altitude. Written by Triveni and Prajwal Chandrashekar, with dialogues by Triveni, Saurabh Dwivedi, and Chandrashekar, the film is a production by Opening Image Films in association with Anil Kapoor Film & Communication Network (AKFCN), produced by Vikram Malhotra, Kapoor, and Triveni.
Subedaar streams exclusively on Prime Video in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu across India, and in over 240 countries and territories worldwide.
For Prime Video, the numbers tell the real story: one weekend, one film, a global footprint, and a very loud signal that Indian original cinema is no longer just travelling well. It’s arriving.
