Kasauli, April, 2025 — The scenic hills of Kasauli came alive with the sounds of soul-stirring melodies and heartfelt purpose as the Kasauli Rhythm & Blues Festival 2025 wrapped up a power-packed edition at Baikunth Resort on April 18th and 19th. Hosted by Genesis Foundation, in association with DLF, the festival once again brought together music lovers from across the country to support a noble cause—saving the lives of critically ill underprivileged children with congenital heart defects.

This year’s line-up was a celebration of diversity and talent. Day 1 saw electrifying performances by Euphoria, Rasika Shekhar, Indie Republic, and Dhiren. Day 2 amped up the energy with Parikrama & Friends, Madboy Mink, Carnatic 2.0, and Aneesha Dass leaving the audience mesmerized.

Beyond the main stage, the festival offered immersive experiences for all ages—face painting, block printing, a drum circle, and a rejuvenating yoga session at sunrise. These added elements transformed the festival into a holistic escape—an embodiment of explore, engage, enjoy.

“At Genesis Foundation, every beat at this festival carries the heartbeat of a child we hope to save. Kasauli Rhythm & Blues is more than a music festival—it’s a movement to create impact through joy,” said Jyoti Sagar, Founding Trustee, Genesis Foundation.

Aakash Ohri, Joint Managing Director and Chief Business Officer, DLF Homes, remarked on the occasion, “DLF has enjoyed a longstanding association with the Kasauli Rhythm & Blues Festival, and we are once again delighted to partner with this celebration of music and meaningful community impact. At DLF, our commitment extends beyond building spaces, we endeavour to foster inclusive, sustainable communities while supporting initiatives that uplift the underprivileged. The festival’s ethos resonates deeply with our vision of creating a holistic ecosystem, one that nurtures both culture and compassion. We are proud to continue this journey and remain steadfast in our support for such purposeful endeavours.”

Ravi Avalur, Managing Director at Harley-Davidson India shared, “We believe in journeys that matter—on the road and in life. Partnering with Genesis Foundation at Kasauli Rhythm & Blues allows us to ride with purpose and amplify a cause that touches hearts and saves lives.”

Manav Sahni, BEO Dairy – Nestle India added “Music has the power to unite, uplift, and heal — and we’re proud to support a festival that beautifully blends entertainment with empathy. It’s initiatives like these that not only strengthen communities but also celebrate life’s simple pleasures, reminding us of the joy found in every shared moment. And just like your favorite music track, the new Nescafé Café Style Cold Coffee range is crafted to hit the right notes and indulge your senses.”

Joining hands to support this cause were marquee sponsors and partners, including Harley-Davidson, DLF, Nestlé, and many others

With stunning mountain views, genre-defying performances, and a cause that resonated deeply with every attendee, Kasauli Rhythm & Blues Festival 2025 proved yet again that music can do more than entertain—it can change lives

After the phenomenal success of its first season, Hasratein — Hungama OTT’s most–watched original — is back with a bang! Hungama Digital Media, one of India’s leading digital entertainment platforms, proudly announces the highly anticipated return of its critically acclaimed anthology series with Hasratein Season 2.

Premiering on April 17, 2025, with two powerful episodes, Season 2 promises to take audiences deeper into the emotional, intimate, and unspoken lives of women — exploring the complex tapestry of desire, identity, and personal freedom. Produced by Shakuntalam Telefilms and directed by Vaibhav Singh and Anshuman K Singh, this season introduces six new stories — each bold, thought-provoking, and unapologetically real.

Season 1 captured hearts across the country for its raw, honest portrayal of women’s hidden inner worlds. With millions of viewers and rave reviews, Hasratein carved a space for stories often left untold. Now, Hasratein 2 is ready to raise the bar even higher — pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and sparking important conversations.

Releasing in three parts, the first two episodes drop on April 17, the next two on April 24, and the final two on April 30 — exclusively on Hungama OTT.

Episode 1 – Khushboo Starring Dolly Chawla, Sanam Johar & Vishal Chaudary
Sunaina stuck in a lifeless marriage, meets a stranger on vacation who reignites feelings she thought were long gone. Torn between duty and desire — will she choose herself?
Episode 2 – Aankh Micholi Featuring Gulki Joshi, Vivek Dahiya & Vinit Kakar
Neha’s silent suffering in a hollow marriage takes a turn when a past connection resurfaces. Hidden truths unravel, forcing her to find her voice in a world that tried to mute it.
Episode 3 – Adla Badli With Amika Shail, Saisha Sehgal, Zuber K. Khan & Karan Sharma
When two friends float the idea of swapping wives, they don’t expect the tables to turn. What follows is a sharp twist on trust, consent, and control.
Episode 4 – Mehek Starring Nyrraa M Banerji, Param Singh & Aarush Shrivastav
Leela, a gifted perfumer lost in a loveless marriage, rediscovers her essence through a creative spark — and a new man — who sees her for who she truly is.
Episode 5 – Hello Zindagi Featuring Puja Banerjee & Sandeep Kumaar
Navina, 40 and always selfless, dares to swipe right. What starts as curiosity becomes a bold step toward love, life, and long-overdue self-prioritization.
Episode 6 – Pyar Ka Punch With Akanksha Puri, Rishaab Chauhaan & Navveen Sharrma
Suri, a fierce female wrestler, rises above societal judgment and embraces love on her terms. In a world obsessed with perfection, she chooses power and unapologetic passion.

Speaking on the launch, Siddhartha Roy, CEO of Hungama Digital Media, said, “With the return of Hasratein Season 2, we’re bringing you stories that dive deeper, explore more and truly resonate on a personal level. This season pushes storytelling boundaries, tackling themes of desire, self-discovery and raw human emotions. We’ve always been focused on delivering content that speaks to you, connects with your experiences and lingers long after the credits roll. We’re excited to bring you these bold, meaningful stories that are sure to leave an unforgettable impact.”

A stirring celebration of longing, identity, and silent revolutions, Hasratein 2 is now streaming on Hungama OTT. Download the HungamaOTT app today to watch all episodes. Hasratein Season 2 is also available on partner platforms, including Tata Play Binge, Watcho, Airtel Xstream Play , PlayboxTV, RailWire Broadband TV and BSNL.

24^th April 2025: Aadyam Theatre, the one-of-a-kind live storytelling initiative by Aditya Birla Group, has forged a new path for the theatre tradition in India. For its seventh season, Aadyam Theatre brings alluring tales from the pages of classics and original multi-genre plays, with some renowned personalities from the theatre world helming them. Since the first Aadyam production, the year-long theatre initiative has displayed a renewed rigour among the audience, and its fourth play for the season, Mumbai Star, directed by Nadir Khan, is all set to debut two shows in Mumbai on 24th May and 25th May 2025, at the St. Andrew’s Auditorium. The theatrical presentation will be brought to Delhi at the Kamani Auditorium on 14th June and 15th June 2025.

Nadir Khan returns to the director’s chair with Mumbai Star, while also curating Aadyam‘s seventh season. Following the grand success of the Aadyam musical Sing India Sing, he now brings another riveting musical drama to the stage—Mumbai Star, an underdog spectacle. Originally written by Devika Shahani, the script has been reimagined with a fresh perspective by long-time Aadyam collaborators Akarsh Khurana and Arghya Lahiri, promising a theatrical experience like no other.

Composed by Dhruv Ghanekar, the musical extravaganza is a saga of an aspiring actor told through song and movement with vivid imagery and meticulously choreographed dance acts. It is a musically rich composition of eight songs and 11 instrumental pieces by the musical genius. A mélange of genres, it is an audacious attempt to seamlessly merge dance anthems, romantic ballads, kathak-influenced dance pieces, and the flavour of rap/hip-hop.

An eclectic mix of music artists has lent their voices to the songs on the Mumbai Star studio album. It includes the Bollywood mainstays Sunidhi Chauhan, Nakash Aziz, and Kunal Ganjawala, the classical and fusion artists like Ravi Chary and Naveen Kumar, rapper Stony Psyko, and the future of Indian pop like Yatharth and Riya Duggal. The actors will breathe new life into the soundtrack, enhanced by the thrilling dance acts, enlivening each track from the album.

Mumbai Star asks a poignant question: Will the soul survive the success that fame brings? It is the story of Dev, a sincere boy from a coastal village in Maharashtra, whose late mother envisioned him becoming a big star. Dreams in his eyes and rhythm in his feet, an opportunity like Mumbai Star, a talent hunt competition, comes knocking at his door, catapulting him to the city of dreams.

The city embraces and tests him. It provides tenderness and pushes him into the trenches of harshness. He meets a love interest that might be out of his reach, a mentor who acts like a compass in this maze, and a well-wisher who saves him from the grim shadows more than once. Will Mumbai defeat Dev, or will he emerge as the biggest star in the city? Will fame shape him, or will he let it define him?

Set against the background of the ancient guru and shishya parampara, breathtaking spectacle, and electrifying choreography, Mumbai Star explores themes of love, struggle, fame, and the ultimate cost of it. The dance musical is an homage to every dreamer who dares to rise in this city and pulls the curtain on the dizzying journey to the spotlight.

Mumbai Star boasts a stellar cast of actors, which includes Avenav Mukherjee as Dev, Abhishek Choksi as Tilak, Arushi Nigam as Koel, and Jayesh Sarange as Adi. Srishti Shrivastava as Laya, along with veteran actor Rajit Kapur as the mentor, are additions to the cast. The supporting cast is a troop of incredible artists like Eden Dolreich Pereira, Jimit Thaker, Melitta D’Souza, Navin Kelamane, Nikhil Thamke, Paridhi Somani, Sonakshi Amitabh, Sruti Vasudevan, Surabhi Andrare, Veronica Jose, and Vinay Bankar.

The visionary behind the choreography of these dance acts is Avantika Bahl, joined by Vivaran Dhasmana, who is choreographing the hip hop sets, and Krutika Mehta, who is overseeing the Bollywood choreography. The Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee, Uma Dogra, is behind curating the enchanting Kathak numbers. Mumbai Star brings together celebrated Indian and Western dance forms, including kathak, bharatnatyam, hip-hop, contemporary, and others. 

Talking about envisioning the world of Mumbai Star on paper, Devika Shahani said, “Mumbai Star is very close to my heart. It is a universal story about one of the most important relationships of our lives—the guru and shishya. The seed of this subject germinated from my determination to present the dynamic between mentor and disciple through music and dance. Aadyam is taking a new and bold step in this different storytelling form. I am grateful to be able to tell this story, my third production with Aadyam, and an ode to my mentor, on this beautiful stage!”

Talking about staging a musical like Mumbai Star, Nadir Khan said, “Mumbai Star is my second time staging a musical with Aadyam Theatre. The writers have created this intriguing world that Dev resides in, and to be able to bring that vision to life has been an interesting journey. It is also a tribute to the millions of artists who come to this city to fulfil their dreams of carving an artistic niche. I am thrilled to bring it through Aadyam, the best platform to introduce it to the heartland audience. It has kept the spirit of theatre tradition alive by allowing us storytellers to stage our stories with rigour, passion, and love.”

Through six seasons, Aadyam Theatre has created a legacy of pushing artistic boundaries, bringing forth impeccable talents, and staging some of the most intriguing pieces of live storytelling. The seventh season offers an array of different stories, both adapted and original, each offering a unique thought and vision, showcasing a rich diversity of themes and perspectives.

Director Ravi Udyawar said, “Yudhra is a raw and powerful revenge story. When I heard the basic story, I knew it was a strong foundation on which to build the film. It is the story of a young man who is filled with anger and resentment, who is unable to control it and what the consequences are. This film is intense, raw and very emotional. I am eagerly waiting for people to watch it on Zee Cinema on 27th April.”

Siddhanth says, “I always wanted to do a powerful action film, and Yudhra gave me that opportunity. The film is amazing – fast-paced, thrilling and keeps you on the edge of your seat at every moment. I considered this as my first big solo action project and put my heart and soul into it. Yudhra is a character who is fearless, fearless, extremely cunning, dangerous and haunted by his past. Now I can’t wait for everyone to watch it on Zee Cinema!”

Malavika Mohanan says, “Doing action in Yudhra was a fun challenge for me! I have always loved dancing, but stunts brought out a new side of me. Sid has been very supportive of me throughout this – he always says that I should talk about it more because he is proud of me. Even today, there are very few female characters who are strong, genuine and yet maintain their softness. My friends have even started jokingly calling me the ‘female Bruce Lee’! Now I am waiting for everyone to watch Yudhra on Zee Cinema on April 27.”

Ram Kapoor said, “What makes Yudhra special is not just its high-octane action, but also its emotional depth and amazing story, which sets it apart from the crowd. Each character has a unique aspect and the film constantly surprises you with new twists. Emotions, twists and visuals – everything is powerful in this film. It was very special for me to be a part of this journey, and now I am happy that audiences across the country will be able to watch it on Zee Cinema from the comfort of their homes.”

MUMBAI, INDIA —April 23, 2025—Today, Prime Video released first-look images from the mystery thriller based on the best-selling novel by E. Lockhart, “We Were Liars.” All eight episodes will be available on June 18, 2025, exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

 “We Were Liars” follows Cadence Sinclair Eastman and her tight-knit inner circle, nicknamed the Liars, during their summer escapades on her grandfather’s New England private island. The Sinclairs are American royalty—known for their good looks, old money, and enviable bond—but after a mysterious accident changes Cadence’s life forever, everyone, including her beloved Liars, seems to have something to hide.

 Starring “the Liars“: Emily Alyn Lind as Cadence Sinclair Eastman, Shubham Maheshwari as Gat Patil, Esther McGregor as Mirren Sinclair Sheffield, Joseph Zada as Johnny Sinclair Dennis; alongside Caitlin FitzGerald as Penny Sinclair, Mamie Gummer as Carrie Sinclair, Candice King as Bess Sinclair, Rahul Kohli as Ed Patil, and David Morse as Harris Sinclair.

 The series is written and executive produced by co-showrunners Julie Plec (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Legacies”) and Carina Adly MacKenzie (“Roswell, New Mexico,” “The Originals”). Also executive producing are Emily Cummins (“The Endgame,” “Vampire Academy”) for My So-Called Company and the novel’s author, E. Lockhart. Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, and Amazon MGM Studios are behind the project. The novel is published by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books.

Mumbai, India- April 22 2025: Amazon MX Player, Amazon’s free streaming platform, raises the stakes with Battleground, a dynamic fitness reality show where physical strength meets mental grit. Leading the four teams are powerhouse personalities- Asim Riaz, Rajat Dalal, Rubina Dilaik and Abhishek Malhan— command their teams, each bringing their distinctive leadership style into the arena. At the center of it all is cricket legend Shikhar Dhawan, stepping in as the ‘super mentor.’ Calm, focused, and fiercely inspiring, Dhawan brings his trademark poise and decades of experience to the show, guiding contestants with a blend of discipline, strategy, and silent observation.

Reflecting on the intensity of the competition, Shikhar shared, “Watching the contestants give it their all took me back to my own playing days. I remember this one fiery moment with Watson, he hit a ball straight into my stomach and cheekily said he’d joined the pain club. Later, when he came out to bat with a runner due to an injury, I couldn’t resist. I acted like I got injured while fielding— he didn’t take it well, but I knew I had gotten onto his nerves. That was always my thing – getting into the opponent’s head, playing that mental game. I thrived on those mind battles.”

Speaking about his approach as a mentor, he added, “I often tell contestants it’s not just about being physically fit— it’s about staying composed under pressure. I share cricket stories with them, whether about myself, my teammates or senior players, to show them how success is shaped by resilience. While the mentors lead the charge with their teams, I stay observant— watching how they coach, what sort of knowledge they’re passing on or how they’re treating their players. My job is to support and elevate that.”

Witness the ultimate test of power, persistence, and personality in Battleground — streaming now only on Amazon MX Player for free, available through its apps on mobile, Amazon’s shopping app, Prime Video, Fire TV, and Connected TVs.

April 22, 2025, Mumbai – HT Labs has made a powerful mark on the global stage, with its flagship platforms OTTplay and Slurrp clinching 5 awards at the prestigious WAN–IFRA South Asian Digital Media Awards 2025. The accolades recognise excellence in digital journalism, innovation, and audience engagement, cementing HT Labs’ position as a frontrunner in the region’s digital media landscape.

The WAN–IFRA South Asian Digital Media Awards are among the most respected honours in the industry, judged by a panel of distinguished international experts. They spotlight organisations that demonstrate excellence in digital storytelling, technology, and content strategy—pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in news and content publishing in South Asia.

Award Wins:

• Best News Website (Silver) – Slurrp
• Best Use of AI in Revenue Strategy (Bronze) – OTTPlay Premium
• Best Newsletter (Gold) – Slurrp
• Best Newsletter (Silver) – OTTPlay 
• Best Native Advertising Campaign (Bronze) – Slurrp

These awards underscore HT Labs’ unwavering focus on intelligent, user-first digital experiences—powered by innovation, data, AI and editorial depth.

Avinash Mudaliar, Co-Founder and CEO of HT Labs, said, “We’re truly honoured by this recognition from WAN–IFRA. These wins are a reflection of the relentless creativity, strategic thinking, and innovation that our teams bring to the table every day. At OTTplay and Slurrp, our mission is to continuously evolve the digital experience through personalisation and smart content. This recognition only strengthens our resolve to lead with impact and purpose.” 

All India,  (April 22, 2025) – The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) is thrilled to announce the expansion of IFFLA Industry Days, a robust two-day forum set to take place on May 8 and May 9, 2025 at the Landmark Theatres Sunset in Los Angeles, CA. 

IFFLA Industry Days fosters connections between South Asian film and TV creatives and industry leaders. Key executives from Neon, SAGIndie, Netflix, Temple Hill Entertainment, Orion Pictures, Film Independent, Jaya Entertainment, Gaumont Television, Macro, Color Creative, NBCUniversal, and more will participate in a series of IFFLA’s dynamic events, including the inaugural program titled IFFLA Connect, the Launchpad: Pitch Competition with a $10,000 award, panels and a masterclass.

“Following the tremendous success of last year’s inaugural Industry Day, the expanded Industry Days offers a vital, curated space for visionary creatives from South Asia and its diasporas to connect, engage with prominent  industry leaders, forge and nurture meaningful relationships, and explore an eclectic slate of projects with universal appeal,” said Christina Marouda, Executive Director of IFFLA. “It’s a powerful reflection of how IFFLA has remained a cornerstone in Hollywood for over two decades, championing bold storytelling and emerging talent.”

A highlight of this year’s IFFLA Industry Days is the official launch of IFFLA Connect, a new initiative presented in collaboration with Cinévesture. This program will showcase a selection of South Asian film projects from India, Nepal, and Bangladesh under the banner CinéV-IFFLA, alongside a hand-picked slate of North American projects curated by IFFLA. Designed as a nexus for collaboration, IFFLA Connect links promising projects with prominent industry professionals, offering essential support in financing, production, casting, and beyond. The inaugural lineup of IFFLA Connect features both emerging voices and acclaimed filmmakers, including producer Vikramaditya Motwane alongside celebrated actress Radhika Apte, who makes her directorial debut with her project “Koyta,” director Nuhash Humayun’s “Moving Bangladesh,” Ravi Kapoor’s “Patel,” Deepak Rauniyar’s “Taste of my Dreams,” and many more.

 “We’re delighted to introduce IFFLA Connect as part of this year’s Industry Days,” said Noopur Sinha, Festival Producer. “This initiative is about getting these 10 powerful, South Asian-led projects the access and backing they need from Hollywood industry partners to bring vital and diverse stories to the mainstream.”

The highly anticipated Launchpad: Pitch Competition returns. The competition will give five finalists a unique opportunity to present their projects in development to a diverse panel of industry executives and a live audience. The pre-selected projects will be presented by their creative teams and receive immediate feedback from the panelists, who will award one of the projects a $10,000 development grant.

IFFLA Industry Days features two timely panels – The Human Loop: Storytelling and Responsibility in the Age of AI and Global Vision: Specialty Studios and the Future of International Storytelling. The Human Loop will discuss the responsible use of technology in storytelling, featuring voices from the film and AI industries. Topics will include ethics, automation, and the invisible labor behind artificial intelligence. The Global Vision panel brings together influential professionals from the independent and specialty studio space to discuss how their companies are navigating the evolving challenges of today’s film industry. As the US market undergoes significant shifts, the conversation will explore the growing importance of international stories and voices in shaping the future of cinema.

 As part of this panel slate, IFFLA will also spotlight the acclaimed stage adaptation of Life of Pi, now on its first U.S. tour. This panel explores the story’s journey from novel to Broadway, focusing on cultural impact, representation, and the artistry behind the production.

 Additionally, a special masterclass titled “From Dhaka to Hollywood: The Genre-Bending World of Nuhash Humayun” will highlight one of the most exciting voices to emerge from South Asia’s new wave of filmmakers. In this masterclass, Nuhash Humayun (Moshari) will discuss the challenges of telling bold, local stories that resonate globally, the mechanics of working across industries and geographies, and what it means to make space for South Asian horror in the global film conversation.

 Passes to access IFFLA Industry Days are now available. The general public can purchase

the Industry All-Access Pass ($220) for admission to all festival screenings, galas, and Industry Days programming. For those only interested in Industry Days programming, the Industry

Days Pass ($80) provides access to the masterclass, panels, pitch competition final, networking mixers, and any screenings attached to the panels or masterclass.

  IFFLA also announced the 2025 Feature Film and Short Film Jury.

Feature Jury:

●        Rajshri Deshpande – Acclaimed Indian actress known for Angry Indian Goddesses, Sexy Durga, BBC One’s McMafia, and Netflix’s Sacred Games and The Fame Game.

●        Priyanka Mattoo – Author of the upcoming memoir Bird Milk & Mosquito Bones (Knopf, June 2024) and writer-director adapting her short The Homestay into a feature for Likely Story.

●        Carla Renata – Film critic and journalist (a.k.a. The Curvy Critic), with bylines in Variety, The Wrap, The Cherry Picks, RogerEbert.com, and more.

 Shorts  Jury

●     Maureen Bharoocha – Film and TV director (The Prank, Golden Arm, Grand Crew, Saved by the Bell), known for blending genres and telling stories that bridge cultures.

●     Kausar Mohammed – Actress and writer known for Sisters, Hulu’s Appendage, and The CW’s The Flash and 4400.

●     Sudeep Sharma – Sundance Film Festival Programmer specializing in documentary features.

Mumbai, 22nd April 2025: Celebrated music duo Kavita Seth and Kanishk Seth come together once again for Dharma Productions’ Kesari Chapter 2 with their latest track, Khumaari. Known for creating music that bridges tradition and modernity, the mother-son duo brings a sound that feels both intimate and groovy.

Khumaari takes the essence of a ghazal and reimagines it through a retro, jazz-inspired lens. Kavita Seth’s voice sits at the centre of it all—uncluttered and emotionally resonant—while Kanishk’s musical arrangement leaves space for every lyric to land. Making her debut in a lip-synced performance, Masaba Gupta adds a quiet intensity on screen, bringing a new layer to the song.

“Khumaari is a song very close to my heart. Composed in Raag Darbari with Irshad Kamil ji’s beautifully simple lyrics, it found a new life on screen through Masaba’s stunning performance. It’s also my first-ever lip-sync song—usually, my voice plays in the background—so seeing it come alive visually was truly special. I’m grateful to Dharma Productions, Azeem, and Kanishk for believing in the sound and helping shape it. I’m proud that Khumaari is part of Kesari Chapter 2 and excited to see where this journey goes,” said Kavita Seth.

Kanishk Seth shared, “The moment I heard her sing, I knew this track had to be produced in a new-age yet retro jazz style. It carries a subtle sensuality while also speaking of longing and desire. Having explored the blend of Sufi and spiritual poetry with electronic music, we felt it was time to bring that same experimental energy to ghazals—this time through the lens of modern jazz—and it worked beautifully.

We’re also incredibly grateful that the kind of music we’re creating is finding space in films like Kesari Chapter 2—a powerful experience every Indian should witness. As an artist, there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing your sound come alive through meaningful visuals and storytelling.”

Khumaari blends classic charm with a contemporary twist, delivering a sound that stays with you—just like the film it’s featured in.