iWorld
ZEE5’s ‘Kaantaye Kaantaye’ to premiere on 15 August
Mumbai: ZEE5 to deliver a pulse-racing Independence Day treat with the premiere of ZEE5 Original, ‘Kaantaye Kaantaye’ on 15 August. This detective thriller, based on the iconic Narayan Sanyal’s ‘Sonar Kanta,’ promises to keep viewers glued to their screens as they unravel a murderous mystery alongside the brilliant advocate P.K. Basu. Created by the visionary filmmaker and actor Joydeep Mukherjee, ‘Kaantaye Kaantaye boasts a stellar cast led by the versatile Saswata Chatterjee as the iconic P.K. Basu, national award-winner Ananya Chatterjee as Rani Basu, and marking his electrifying OTT debut is the charismatic Soham Chakraborty. This powerhouse ensemble breathes life into a story that’s as much about solving crimes as it is about confronting personal demons. Stream the biggest murder mystery of Bengal, ‘Kaantaye Kaantaye’ starting 15 August on ZEE5.
Embed Link: https://youtu.be/NoQojBnaKbA?feature=shared
Set against the misty, storm-lashed backdrop of Darjeeling, ‘Kaantaye Kaantaye’ plunges viewers into a world where nothing is as it seems. P.K. Basu [Saswata Chatterjee], haunted by the tragic loss of his daughter, finds himself in a race against time at the ominous Hotel Repose. As a killer stalks the halls, seeking their next victim, a savage storm cuts off all communication with the outside world. Trapped with a cast of suspicious characters, each harboring their own dark secrets, P.K Basu must rely on his razor-sharp intellect and uncanny observational skills to unmask the murderer before they strike again. But this is no ordinary whodunit. As bodies pile up and the tension ratchets to unbearable levels, viewers will be forced to question everything they think they know. Is the killer among the hotel guests? Or could it be someone closer to home? With each twist and turn, ‘Kaantaye Kaantaye’ will keep audiences entertained, making every frame worth watching.
ZEE5 chief business officer Manish Kalra expressed, “At ZEE5, we’re thrilled to present our latest offering ‘Kaantaye Kaantaye’, featuring some of the biggest talents of the Bangla creative ecosystem. Bengal as a market has been a key focus area for us with ZEE5 launching multiple originals in the last one year. Our content strategy has featured quality storytelling and some powerhouse local collaborations. This has led to the diversification of our library and has also resulted in incremental audience engagement and watch-time. We’ve witnessed immense popularity and dedicated fandom for murder mysteries and detective thrillers, especially in the Bengali market. ‘Kaantaye Kaantaye’ is not just a nod to Bengal’s rich literary tradition, but it is also a modern, high-octane thriller that we believe will captivate audiences across India. The series represents our commitment to delving deeper into regional content and expanding our reach to viewers who crave high-quality, locally resonant storytelling.”
Director Joydeep Mukherjee remarked, “Bringing ‘Kaantaye Kaantaye’ to life has been a journey very close to my heart. We’ve taken Narayan Sanyal’s beloved ‘Sonar Kanta’ and reimagined it for today’s audience, creating a thriller that’s as emotionally resonant as it is along with being suspenseful. Saswata Chatterjee breathing life into P.K. Basu, an advocate haunted by personal loss, and Soham Chakraborty making his OTT debut along with national award winner Ananya Chatterjee playing the role of Rani Basu. we’ve crafted a story that will keep viewers guessing until the final frame. Set against the wondrous backdrop of storm-ravaged Darjeeling, ‘Kaantaye Kaantaye’ is more than a mystery – it’s a psychological rollercoaster that will test your nerves. We’ve poured our hearts into every aspect of this series, from the intricate plot twists to the haunting cinematography, and we can’t wait for audiences to experience the tension, drama, and emotional depth of this uniquely Bengali thriller.”
Saswata Chatterjee said, “Bringing P.K. Basu to life in ‘Kaantaye Kaantaye has been incredibly rewarding. Basu is a successful lawyer whose world crumbles when he loses his daughter due to a case he took personally. This tragedy transforms him, pushing him to use his keen observational skills to stop a criminal. What drew me to this role was Basu’s struggle to protect his loved ones from a dangerous killer while battling his own grief. It’s a character that requires both intellect and emotion, and I’m eager for viewers to follow Basu’s journey through our suspenseful story.”
Ananya Chatterjee shared, “Playing Rani Basu in ‘Kaantaye Kaantaye’ has been a touching experience. Rani is a mother and wife whose world is shattered by the loss of her daughter Mithu. She sees visions of her dead child, which adds an eerie element to her character. Despite her grief, Rani helps her husband with his cases, offering valuable insights. It’s been rewarding to portray this complex woman who balances her sorrow with a desire to be useful. I’m looking forward to viewers seeing how Rani’s story unfolds in this gripping thriller.”
Soham Chakraborty expressed his excitement, “Debuting on OTT with the role of Subir Roy in ‘Kaantaye Kaantaye’ has been incredibly thrilling. Portraying a character deeply enmeshed in a gripping and suspenseful storyline alongside P.K. Basu has pushed me to explore new facets of my acting. The series is packed with intensity and unexpected twists, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience this riveting story.”
iWorld
Meta warns 200 users after fake Whatsapp spyware attack
Italy-targeted campaign used unofficial app to deploy surveillance spyware.
MUMBAI: It looked like a message, but it behaved like a mole. Meta has warned around 200 users most of them in Italy after uncovering a targeted spyware campaign that weaponised a fake version of WhatsApp to infiltrate devices. The attack, first reported by Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata, relied on classic social engineering with a modern twist: persuading users to download an unofficial WhatsApp clone embedded with surveillance software. The malicious application, believed to be developed by Italian firm SIO through its subsidiary ASIGINT, was designed to mimic the real app closely enough to bypass suspicion.
Meta’s security teams identified roughly 200 individuals who may have installed the compromised version, triggering immediate countermeasures. Affected users were logged out of their accounts and issued alerts warning of potential privacy breaches, with the company describing the incident as a “targeted social engineering attempt” aimed at gaining device-level access.
The malicious app was not distributed via official app stores but circulated through third-party channels, where it was presented as a legitimate WhatsApp alternative. Once installed, it reportedly allowed external operators to access sensitive data stored on the device turning a simple download into a potential surveillance gateway.
According to Techcrunch, Meta is now preparing legal action against the spyware developers to curb further misuse. The company, however, has not disclosed details about the specific individuals targeted or the extent of data compromised.
A Whatsapp spokesperson reiterated that user safety remains the top priority, particularly for those misled into installing the fake iOS application. Meanwhile, reports from La Repubblica suggest the spyware may be linked to “Spyrtacus”, a strain previously associated with Android-based attacks that could intercept calls, activate microphones and even access cameras.
The episode underscores a growing reality in the digital age, the threat is no longer just what you download, but where you download it from. As unofficial apps become increasingly convincing, the line between communication tool and covert surveillance is getting harder to spot and far easier to exploit.
