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Category: iWorld

  • Bhagwat puts truth on trial as Arshad and Jitendra clash in Zee5 thriller

    Bhagwat puts truth on trial as Arshad and Jitendra clash in Zee5 thriller

    MUMBAI: When truth plays hide and seek with lies, the chase makes for dangerous cinema. Zee5, India’s largest homegrown video streaming platform, has lifted the curtain on its next original film, Bhagwat, a taut crime thriller inspired by true events. Produced by Jio Studios in association with Baweja Studios and Dog ‘n’ Bone Pictures, the film promises an edge-of-the-seat battle between morality and deception.

    At the centre of Bhagwat is Inspector Vishwas Bhagwat, played by Arshad Warsi, whose seemingly routine case of a missing woman mutates into a sinister labyrinth of secrets, suspected trafficking, and unrelenting deceit. In parallel, a fragile romance brews between Meera and Sameer, portrayed by Jitendra Kumar, a professor whose vulnerability offers a stark counterpoint to the dark suspense unfolding in Robertsganj, Uttar Pradesh.

    Directed by Akshay Shere, the film marks a fresh pairing of two powerhouse performers. Warsi, best known for his wry comic timing, plunges into gritty intensity, while Jitendra Kumar, beloved for his affable roles in Panchayat and Kota Factory, pivots into uncharted territory. Their face-off anchors a thriller where emotion and tension collide.

    “Bhagwat is a powerful reflection of our vision: a gripping thriller that’s as emotionally layered as it is suspenseful,” said Kaveri Das, Business Head – Hindi, Zee5. “Arshad Warsi brings remarkable nuance, while Jitendra Kumar’s compelling avatar is sure to surprise.”

    For Jio Studios COO & CFO Priyanka Chaudhary the film underlines a mission to deliver stories rooted in India yet resonant globally. “Bhagwat embodies that mission, a taut, heartland thriller that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. Building on the success of Mrs., this marks another exciting collaboration with Zee5,” she noted.

    Producer Harman Baweja echoed the sentiment, calling the film “a journey into the shadows of human nature, where love, deception, and justice collide.” For Baweja Studios, Bhagwat is another stride in backing stories that are bold, relevant, and emotionally compelling.

    Zee5, which has been steadily building a slate of original dramas that go beyond formula, sees Bhagwat as one of its standout offerings of the year. With its mix of crime, suspense, and romance, the film seeks not only to entertain but to leave viewers reflecting long after the credits roll.

    Streaming soon and exclusively on Zee5, Bhagwat promises to keep audiences guessing right until the final reveal.

  • Sony Liv’s 13th cracks open India’s exam-prep grind with MT Sir’s story

    Sony Liv’s 13th cracks open India’s exam-prep grind with MT Sir’s story

    MUMBAI: The toughest test isn’t always on paper, sometimes it’s the year between. Sony Liv is set to premiere its long-awaited original series 13th on 1st October 2025, pulling viewers into the high-pressure universe of India’s competitive exam-prep culture.

    The title itself is a nod to the “drop year” after Class 12, when thousands of students dedicate an extra 12 months solely to cracking the IIT-JEE entrance exam. For many, that 13th year becomes a make-or-break moment filled with sleepless nights, financial strain, and the constant balancing act between ambition and anxiety.

    At the heart of the story stands mentor Mohit Tyagi (MT Sir), a real-life educator whose teaching revolution has reached over 20 lakh students across India. With his Youtube channel followed by more than 2.2 million learners, Tyagi has built an open-access classroom that rivals the mega coaching hubs of Kota but without the lakhs in fees. Over two decades, his consistency and discipline-driven methods have produced Top-100 ranks year after year, proving that resilience and rigour trump hype.

    What makes Tyagi’s story remarkable is his rejection of crore-level salary offers in favour of free, quality education. His vision has reshaped the meaning of mentorship in India, cutting across economic and social divides. Instead of becoming a coaching magnate, he created a movement where students are treated as individuals with dreams, not just roll numbers on a register.

    13th stars Gagan Dev Riar as the mentor, portraying a role steeped in both realism and inspiration. The series doesn’t sugarcoat the grind, it delves into the loneliness of hostel rooms, the sacrifices families make, and the crushing weight of repeated attempts. It also shines a light on the resilience of students who fight through failure, financial strain, and fear, armed with little more than hope and persistence.

    Speaking about the premiere, Tyagi himself reflected on the deeper message: “Teaching has always been about much more than solving equations. It’s about resilience, discipline, and reminding students that they are more than their marks. 13th tells the untold story of lakhs of youth carrying gigantic pressure but also gigantic dreams.”

    For Sony LIV, the series is more than just a drama, it’s a mirror to India’s youth, their aspirations, and the cracks in a system where education can feel like war. By weaving Tyagi’s mission into a scripted narrative, the platform hopes to start conversations in living rooms across the country between parents, students, and society at large.

    With hashtags #My13thStory and #13thOnSonyLiv, the show is already sparking anticipation online. Come October, 13th promises to be more than binge-worthy content; it’s set to become a cultural talking point on what success really means when the journey is tougher than the exam.

  • Bite-sized and booming: how FareFlow’s microdramas are conquering the world

    Bite-sized and booming: how FareFlow’s microdramas are conquering the world

    MUMBAI: Three weeks. That’s all it took for FlareFlow to vault from newcomer to number one on America’s free entertainment app charts, on both iOS and Android. The microdrama platform—brief, serialised stories designed for mobile screens—has cracked a formula that’s reshaping how millions consume entertainment. And it’s not stopping at American shores.

    Col group’s international platform hit a new single-day revenue record just three weeks after breaking into America’s top five on Google Play. The surge signals something bigger than a viral moment: audiences worldwide are abandoning hourlong episodes for stories that fit between tube stops.

    According to Sensor Tower data from 22 August to 20 September 2025, FlareFlow now ranks third in Germany, fourth in Australia and fifth in Canada among short-drama and entertainment apps. The momentum reflects a fundamental shift in viewing patterns. Where audiences once defaulted to traditional series or films, they’re increasingly choosing bite-sized narratives that slot seamlessly into daily routines.

    China offers a glimpse of what’s coming. Microdrama revenues there have already overtaken the traditional box office, according to Media Partners Asia, with Col’s intellectual property portfolio driving much of that growth. FlareFlow is now exporting this model globally, adapting genres to local tastes: revenge plots, flash marriages and family conflict dominate in Southeast Asia, whilst young adult fiction, werewolves and CEO-driven dramas resonate in Western markets.

    “This is not a passing trend in China or America—it’s a global shift in storytelling,” said Col group chief executive Ray Tong. “People have consumed vertical content since Instagram Stories and TikTok, but what’s evolving is the storytelling itself. FlareFlow is shaping that evolution for audiences everywhere.”

    To sustain this growth, Col is investing heavily in infrastructure and partnerships. The company has established more than 30 international production teams across Los Angeles, New York, Canada, London and southeast Asia, supported by dual post-production centres in Beijing and Los Angeles. By year-end 2025, it plans to open the industry’s first purpose-built microdrama production studio in Hengqin, Greater Bay Area—a 10,000-square-metre facility with 30 soundstages tailored specifically for short-form content.

    With a pipeline of 280 dramas, FlareFlow is scaling aggressively. Since launching in April 2025, the platform has surpassed 15 million downloads across 177 regions, with monthly user spending increasing more than 500 per cent.

    “What excites us most is that it isn’t just about FlareFlow’s growth—it’s about investing in an ecosystem,” added at Col group general manager for international press and southeast Asia Timothy Oh. “Our investments worldwide are helping the industry adapt and thrive as microdramas become part of everyday viewing.”
    The question now isn’t whether microdramas will succeed, but how quickly they’ll reshape the global entertainment landscape.

  • Call of Duty: Mobile goes gothic for Halloween with WWE crossover

    Call of Duty: Mobile goes gothic for Halloween with WWE crossover

    MUMBAI: Nothing says Halloween quite like watching Undertaker suplex a zombie on a haunted Mexican estate at midnight. Welcome to Call of Duty: Mobile’s latest update.

    Season 9—Midnight Rumble—launches today with a hefty serving of Halloween content, including the return of fan-favourite modes like Attack of the Undead and Hordepoint. The update introduces night mode on the Isolated map for the first time since 2020, forcing players to adjust their tactics in near-darkness. Hacienda returns as Haunted Hacienda, complete with ghost ships, jack-o’-lanterns and creatures lurking in the shadows.

    The headline addition is a limited-time WWE collaboration that lets players fight as wrestling legends including Undertaker. Players start matches with boxing gloves and can transform into WWE operators on winning streaks, gaining enhanced health and signature finishing moves that work from any direction. It’s an unlikely crossover that signals the game’s confidence in experimenting beyond military realism.

    The Halloween update kicks off a three-season arc dubbed Black & Gold that will run until the game’s sixth anniversary in Season 11. The campaign starts with Black, bringing back the most popular maps, modes, operators and weapons from the game’s history. Season 10 will flip to Gold  with fresh content before the anniversary finale.

    Beyond the WWE mode, players can earn free legendary weapons through seasonal events, including the FFAR—Shredder and RPD—Road Mongrel. The battle pass introduces the Sten submachine gun, widely used by British forces in the Second World War, alongside Halloween-themed operator skins like Ajax—Insanely Jacked and Seraph—Witch’s Holiday.

    The store update includes a new Mythic weapon draw featuring the Type 25—Deepstar Piercer, two WWE-themed draws for Alexa Bliss and Undertaker, and returning Halloween weapon blueprints in a series armoury. Two previous battle passes—Graveyard Shift and Winter War—are also returning to the vault.

    For a mobile game competing against console-quality shooters and battle royales, the strategy is clear: pile on the content, embrace the absurd, and keep players engaged with constant variety. Whether that approach sustains momentum through to the sixth anniversary remains to be seen, but Activision is betting that zombies and wrestlers make a winning combination.

  • Amazon expands Anish’s empire across Middle East and Africa

    Amazon expands Anish’s empire across Middle East and Africa

    DUBAI: Amazon has promoted a veteran marketing executive to oversee both deal-making across the Middle East and North Africa and marketing operations in South Africa, as the American e-commerce giant doubles down on emerging markets.

    Anish  Rajan, who previously orchestrated Amazon India’s flagship sale events generating over $2 billion in revenue, has been handed the expanded role effective September 2025. His promotion adds south African marketing responsibilities to his existing mandate as head of deals and events across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

    The appointment reflects Amazon’s growing ambitions in regions where it sees significant untapped potential. Rajan’s west Asian operation already contributes 23 per cent of the region’s annual revenue, whilst launching Amazon-first innovations that have since been rolled out globally.

    His track record spans 15 years across e-commerce, consumer electronics and logistics. Before joining Amazon in 2020, he held senior marketing roles at Samsung Electronics and led marketing communications for fashion platform Jabong during its high-growth phase.

    At Amazon India, Anish spearheaded the deals programme that accounted for 39 per cent of store revenue, building scalable systems and customer experience improvements that were subsequently adopted across Amazon’s global marketplaces.

    His earlier career included stints at Micromax, where he led brand strategy and product launches, and DHL Express, where he managed global partnerships including Formula 1 and Manchester United, overseeing a $30 million retail portfolio.

    The dual-region role positions Anish at the centre of Amazon’s emerging markets strategy, where the company is competing fiercely with local players and other global platforms for market share.

  • BSNL dials up pride with India’s first homegrown 4G telecom stack

    BSNL dials up pride with India’s first homegrown 4G telecom stack

    MUMBAI: India has just made a call that will echo worldwide and it’s a truly Swadeshi one. BSNL, in collaboration with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), C-DOT, and Tejas Networks, has unveiled the Bharat Telecom Stack, a fully indigenous solution powering 4G and beyond, marking a historic stride towards a digitally self-reliant nation.

    With this rollout, India joins an elite club of just five countries globally to have built a homegrown telecom technology stack. What makes it remarkable is the scale and speed the entire project, spanning 100,000 sites, was completed in just two years, making it one of the fastest 4G deployments worldwide.

    Executed under a “mission mode” governance model, the project saw TCS establish data centres, integrate C-DOT’s EPC Core Application, and deploy Tejas Networks’ base stations and radio infrastructure, all stitched together with TCS CNOPS, a cognitive platform for 24/7 real-time network management. The rollout integrates seamlessly into BSNL’s existing 2G/3G systems, ensuring connectivity continuity while boosting capacity for the digital era.

    For BSNL CMD A Robert J Ravi, the launch was more than technology, it was symbolism: “The nationwide rollout of our indigenous 4G network, built with TCS, Tejas, and C-DOT, is a resounding declaration of an Atmanirbhar Bharat. This ‘Made in Bharat’ stack secures our digital future and bridges the divide like never before.”

    The technology isn’t just about speed or spectrum; it’s about sovereignty. By delivering ultra-secure, standards-compliant connectivity, the stack safeguards national security while democratising access enabling online education, telemedicine, e-governance, and citizen services for rural and urban India alike.

    BSNL’s director (Consumer Mobility) Sandeep Govil highlighted its transformative potential: “This Swadeshi 4G technology, the result of innovation by C-DOT, Tejas, TCS, and BSNL’s workforce, is engineered for scalability. It is a cornerstone for a digitally inclusive society, ready to evolve to 5G and beyond.”

    For TCS and Tejas Networks chairman N Ganapathy Subramaniam, the achievement reinforces India’s tech legacy: “We have put India on the map of only a handful of countries with a comprehensive, trusted, and software-upgradable telecom technology stack. The successful deployment at BSNL is historic, laying the foundation for India’s further contribution to global standards.”

    The launch also reflects TCS’s longstanding role in shaping India’s digital infrastructure from modernising stock exchanges and passport services to healthcare and pensions for defence personnel touching millions of lives across decades.

    With ultra-high bandwidth, energy efficiency (0.1 W/Gbit, 65 per cent lower than average), and intelligence boosting O&M efficiency by 40 per cent, the Bharat Telecom Stack is more than a national achievement. It is a signal loud and clear that India is ready to lead in telecom innovation, connecting every citizen while setting global benchmarks.

    In short: India just built its own dial tone for the future and it’s calling the world to listen.

  • Crunchyroll takes aim at manga pirates with new digital service come 9 October

    Crunchyroll takes aim at manga pirates with new digital service come 9 October

    MUMBAI: Crunchyroll is betting that frustrated manga readers will pay up to escape the labyrinthine world of publisher-specific apps and dodgy fan-scan sites. The anime streaming giant announced that Crunchyroll Manga, a new premium add-on, will launch on 9 October  for iOS and Android users in America and Canada, followed by a web version on 15 October.

    The service promises an ad-free experience featuring hundreds of titles from major publishers including Viz Media, Square Enix, Yen Press, AlphaPolis and Compass. Launch titles span the spectrum from blockbusters like One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen to cult favourites such as The Summer Hikaru Died and Delicious in Dungeon.

    For existing subscribers, the pricing structure offers both carrots and sticks. Ultimate Fan subscribers ($15.99 monthly) get access at no extra cost. Others face a $4 monthly surcharge for the Fan tier (bringing it to $11.99) or $3.50 for Mega Fan subscribers ($15.49 total).

    The move tackles a persistent headache for western manga enthusiasts: juggling multiple subscriptions across different publishers’ platforms. Square Enix’s Manga UP! limits access through daily “free currency,” whilst other publishers require separate purchases or subscriptions that quickly pile up costs.

    Crunchyroll Manga, powered by Japan’s Link-U Group, will operate as a standalone app separate from the main streaming service. Features include offline downloads, personalised reading lists and full two-page spreads across mobile, tablet and web platforms.

    Notably absent from the launch lineup are titles from Kodansha, which operates its own K Manga app using a ticket-purchase system. However, popular Kodansha series like Attack on Titan and Vinland Saga, already available as anime on Crunchyroll, may join later.

    Additional publishers including Shueisha, J-Novel Club and ThirdlineNext are slated to join post-launch, potentially creating a one-stop shop for digital manga consumption.

    The timing is shrewd. Digital comics subscription services like Marvel Unlimited have proven the model works for superhero fans. If successful, Crunchyroll Manga could deal a significant blow to manga piracy whilst consolidating the company’s position as the west’s manga and anime gatekeeper

  • Shemaroo Youtube channel Crosses 60 million subscribers in India

    Shemaroo Youtube channel Crosses 60 million subscribers in India

    MUMBAI: Shemaroo Entertainment has hit a major digital milestone as its flagship Youtube channel surpasses 60 million subscribers, ranking as the 7th most subscribed entertainment channel in India. The channel also registers over 200 million monthly views, highlighting its enduring connection with audiences across generations.

    Boasting a library of more than 2,000 titles, Shemaroo blends classic Bollywood gems like Amar Akbar Anthony, Khuda Gawah, Hum Hai Rahi Pyar Ke, and Mann with contemporary favourites such as the Golmaal and Housefull series, Highway, Welcome, Gupt, Mohra, and Tridev.

    This milestone reflects the wider impact of Shemaroo Entertainment’s digital ecosystem, which now spans over 100 Youtube channels, amassing more than 400 million cumulative subscribers and generating upwards of 2.5 billion monthly views. Channels including Shemaroo Movies (38 miliion subscribers), Shemaroo Comedy (22 million), and Shemaroo Filmi Gaane (73.3 million) continue to dominate the Bollywood and entertainment space.

    Shemaroo Entertainment, chief operating officer – digital business, Saurabh Srivastava said, “Reaching over 60 million subscribers on our flagship YouTube channel is a true testament to Shemaroo’s ability to stay relevant and resonate with diverse audiences… This growth reflects the trust of millions of viewers who turn to Shemaroo YouTube channel for wholesome, accessible entertainment, and we are excited to continue shaping the digital entertainment landscape with engaging content offerings.”

    As Shemaroo strengthens its digital footprint, the milestone underlines the company’s commitment to providing accessible, timeless, and contemporary Indian cinema to audiences across the globe.

     

  • Safed’s festive film cleans hearts with a mother’s touch of compassion

    Safed’s festive film cleans hearts with a mother’s touch of compassion

    MUMBAI: This festive season, Safed Detergent isn’t just scrubbing away stains, it’s polishing hearts. With its new campaign, the brand captures the magic of motherhood, the quiet strength, boundless care, and that nurturing instinct to spread joy where it’s needed most.

    Built around the thought “Kuch daag hatate hai, kuch bhed mitate hai. Is tyohar chalo milkar khushiyan phailate hai,” the campaign reminds us that while stains may fade, what truly lasts is compassion and inclusivity.

    At the centre of the film is a mother, not just defined by her bond with her own child but by her instinctive kindness towards everyone around her. Amid the festive buzz of Durga Puja, Navratri, Diwali, Bhai Dooj, and Chhath Puja, she notices the small details others might overlook. In one poignant moment, while shopping for her son, she spots a boy serving tea at the store. In a gesture both simple and profound, she gifts him a kurta ensuring that he, too, feels the joy of the season.

    This act of empathy becomes the film’s heartbeat, symbolising how a mother’s care transcends her home and embraces society at large. Festivals, after all, aren’t only about new clothes and bright lights, but about making sure no one is left out of the celebration.

    Explaining the brand’s vision, Shantinath Detergents Pvt. Ltd. director Ritum Jain said: “With this campaign, we want to honour the spirit of motherhood, the compassion, support, and generosity that defines it. Safed’s heart is motherhood, and this festive season, we are celebrating how a mother’s pure heart spreads joy not only within her home but also across society.”

    Conceptualised and executed by Hatchlings Co., the campaign stays true to Safed’s enduring promise: the brand’s essence is rooted in motherhood righteous, pure, compassionate and its role extends beyond spotless laundry to spotless acts of kindness.

    By tying the campaign to India’s most awaited festivals, Safed underscores that real celebration isn’t about what we wear, but how we care. After all, mothers don’t just remove stains, they erase boundaries, lift spirits, and remind us that happiness multiplies when it’s shared.

  • Bangla Zee5 makes Pujo sparkle with new campaign

    Bangla Zee5 makes Pujo sparkle with new campaign

    MUMBAI: Pujo on screen, Pujo on streets. Bangla Zee5 is making sure the festival is everywhere you are. The streaming giant has rolled out its festive campaign Amar bhasha amar golpo, a 360 degree celebration that brings together films, TV favourites, festive offers and even live pandal experiences. The initiative is designed to make Durga Pujo entertainment inclusive, accessible and rooted in Bengal’s cultural heartbeat.

    zee5

    At the centre is a brand film weaving together stories of Pujo: a girl sketching the goddess’ eyes, a female priest breaking barriers, an electrician juggling fatherhood and work, and even a festive meet-cute. Subscribers can also grab the special PUJO59 deal, slashing the monthly Bangla plan from RS 99 to Rs 59.

    Between 22 September and 2 October, a line-up of popular shows such as Chirodini Tumi Je Amar, Jowar Bhata and Kone Dekha Aalo will stream free, alongside live rituals from top pandals and 35–40 festive specials. Bangla Zee5 is also stepping outdoors with cab wraps, banners and quirky Pujo creatives across the city, while partnering with residential complexes to bring screenings and celebrations directly into communities.

    “Durga Pujo is the heartbeat of Bengal, a celebration that unites generations. With this campaign, we wanted to carry that spirit into every home,” said Bangla Zee5 business head Rusa Banerjee.

    From blockbuster premieres like Mrigaya – the hunt to nostalgia-laced specials, the platform promises a festive feast for every mood. This Pujo, whether you’re pandal-hopping or couch-surfing, Bangla Zee5 is serving stories, spirit and plenty of sparkle.