Comedy
myNK brings British comedy series ‘Witless’, the story of Leanne and Rhona and the murder that brings them together
MUMBAI: Imagine living life undercover where your every movement in tracked and fear is your only constant companion in a grotty Swindon flat in England. And what happens when you put Leanne and Rhona under that roof, the odd-couple who weren’t meant to be together? For a situation as grave as this, it is macabrely funny to say the least, with dramatic twists and turns and roars of laughter.
Watch ‘Witless’ to understand how the lives of two ‘poles apart’ room-mates Leanne (Kerry Howard) and Rhona (Zoë Boyle) change when they’ve recently been ripped off their original selves, given new identities and left to fend for themselves in a grubby house as part of ‘witness protection’ programme because they witnessed a gangland shooting. And if that’s not all, the gang has assigned two teenagers to tail the girls, leaving them in more trouble than they ever thought.
Premiering on myNK, India’s world entertainment VoD platform, ‘Witless’, since its release in The UK, has been considered one of the funniest British sitcoms of recent times because of its extremely smart concept and sharp writing. The series is written by Joe Tucker and Lloyd Woolf and stars Zoë Boyle and BAFTA Best Comedy Actress nominee Kerry Howard. The makers wanted to combine the comedy talents of the actresses with Joe and Lloyd and the concept of ‘Witless’ felt like the perfect project to do that.
‘Witless’ joins in the new wave in comedy series with women in leading roles, achieving stupendous success, namely- ‘Fleabag’, ‘Chewing Gum’, ‘The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel’ and ‘Jane the Virgin’. These are not your regular run-of-the-mill stories where girls discuss boy problems or bad hair days, these are comedy adventures that have women in lead roles. Zoë Boyle and Kerry Howard are two of those women.
It’s often difficult to see two opposites try to co-exist. But it is also endearing when despite the odds, they make it work. Sometimes it’s the wonderful weirdness of a relationship that keeps them invested, just like Leanne and Rhona. Watch ‘Witless’ and see how the hapless women thrown into disarray make it work amidst a life and death situation, in a manner that’s only laughable.
MUMBAI: If laughter is the best medicine, Sony Marathi seems to have found a way to bottle it and now, uncap it. After nine years, 950 plus episodes and a cult following that treats Maharashtrachi Hasyajatra (MHJ) like a weekly family ritual, the channel has taken the comedy blockbuster beyond the stage with MHJ Unplugged, a digital-only podcast that lets fans peek behind the punchlines.
Season 1 of MHJ Unplugged became an instant favourite, thanks to its refreshing premise: nine beloved MHJ artists dropping their on-stage personas to share raw, reflective, and often emotional stories. From childhood struggles to backstage chaos, each episode offered a rare, unfiltered look at the people behind Maharashtra’s most-watched comedy universe, a contrast fans embraced wholeheartedly.
The numbers tell the story. The debut season clocked 23 million plus views across Sony Marathi’s digital platforms, proving that the MHJ fandom doesn’t end when the cameras stop rolling. And for brands, the podcast became a high-engagement playground for integrations that didn’t feel shoehorned instead blending organically into the show’s storytelling.
Presenting partners Waman Hari Pethe Jewellers and Ravetkar Group rode the wave, with both receiving prominent host mentions and consistent visibility via L-bands, Aston bands and episode-level branding. Ravetkar Group even levelled up with on-set physical branding, rooted in the show’s community-first sentiment.
But the jewel in the crown quite literally was Waman Hari Pethe Jewellers’ now-signature integration: the “Waman Hari Pethe Soneri Kshan moment”. Each episode spotlighted a heartfelt moment between the host and guest, capped with a gifted silver coin that aligned perfectly with the brand’s motto “Soneri Kshananche Sobti”. It wasn’t just product placement, it was emotional placement.
Ravetkar Group founder and managing director Amol Ravetkar said, “Just as we build homes, we want to build moments of joy. Sponsoring this beloved show, which celebrates local talent and humour, reinforces our commitment to the culture and values of the communities we serve. We are proud to support quality regional entertainment and be a part of the incredible ‘MHJ universe’ that has captured millions of hearts.”
Waman Hari Pethe partner Ashish Pethe said, “Waman Hari Pethe Jewellers is delighted to partner with Sony Marathi’s MHJ Unplugged. This collaboration allows us to connect directly with our customers. MHJ Unplugged is a perfect vehicle for us as there is a perfect synergy between our customers and the audience of MHJ. Happy that we could share in the joy and laughter that this unique platform brings to the MHJ universe.”
Much of the show’s resonance comes from the way host Amit Phalke anchors it steering conversations with warmth, humour, and an ear for the stories that deepen fans’ emotional connection with the MHJ family.
Now, buoyed by Season 1’s success, Sony Marathi is gearing up for a bigger, bolder Season 2, with new sponsors already circling and an expanded content slate in the works. The channel calls MHJ Unplugged a “milestone in Marathi entertainment,” an experiment that not only paid off, but opened doors for high-engagement digital IPs rooted in regional storytelling.
If Season 1 brought fans closer to their favourite comedians, Season 2 promises to pull them right into the greenroom. After all, in the MHJ universe, the laughter doesn’t end, it simply goes unplugged.
