News

Netflix has officially announced the return of its critically acclaimed crime thriller series Kohrra for a second season. The series, which gained widespread praise following its debut in July 2023, is set to bring back actor Barun Sobti in his role as Garundi, a young police officer grappling with a complex murder investigation and his personal dilemmas. Joining him in the new season is actress Mona Singh, though the specifics of her character remain under wraps.

The second season will continue to unfold against the atmospheric backdrop of Punjab, delving into another intricate murder mystery filled with family dynamics, interpersonal secrets, and the region’s foggy, moody landscape.

Sudip Sharma, who serves as the showrunner, producer, and co-creator, will also take on the role of director for the new season, marking his directorial debut under his banner Act Three Productions, in collaboration with Film Squad Productions. He will be joined by...

Indian production powerhouse Abundantia Entertainment, known for hits including “Airlift,” “Shakuntala Devi” and the popular “Breathe” series, is gearing up for an expansive slate of projects aimed at capturing younger audiences both domestically and globally.

The company’s CEO Vikram Malhotra outlined its upcoming plans in an exclusive interview with Variety.

Leading the charge is “Daldal,” a Prime Video original series starring Bhumi Pednekar as Mumbai’s newly-appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police Rita Ferreira. Directed by Amrit Raj Gupta (“Gullak”), the thriller-drama pits Ferreira against a cold-blooded killer while navigating personal struggles.

The company is also readying “Chhorii 2,” a sequel to its 2021 horror hit. Nushrratt Bharuccha returns alongside new addition Soha Ali Khan in the Prime Video original film directed by Vishal Furia. The story follows Sakshi as she battles an evil cult to save her daughter.

Another project in the pipeline is “Laal,” a true crime feature film set in middle India.

Indian streaming series such as Netflix’s “Heeramandi,” Prime Video’s “Mirzapur” or Disney+ Hotstar’s “Bad Cop,” could soon be more influential than Bollywood.

India’s massive population and its embrace of multiple forms of video streaming are having far-reaching implications for the country’s content industries, its wider economy and the country’s position on the international stage, says an in-depth new report.

“Beyond Screens – Streaming VoD’s Impact on the Creative Economy,” was published Wednesday. It was commissioned by Prime Video India and conducted by Singapore-based Media Partners Asia.

The report paints the picture of a sector that is now attracting close to $6 billion a year of local content investment, on a par with South Korea, and demonstrates that India is a top three market in terms of net new subscriber additions and revenue growth for both Amazon and Netflix.

The upside is huge. Annual content investment...

Kartik Aaryan, known for his charismatic presence on screen, is set to add another feather to his cap with an upcoming romantic comedy under the banner of Junglee Pictures. The actor, who already boasts an impressive lineup of projects, including Kabir Khan’s Chandu Champion and Anees Bazmee’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, is expanding his repertoire with the potential addition of “Jasmine.”

Exclusive details obtained by PeepingMoon journalist Rahul Raut reveal that Kartik Aaryan is in advanced discussions with Junglee Pictures for the lead role in “Jasmine,” a charming love story set in a small town. While the actor has given his nod to the project, formalities are still being ironed out. This collaboration marks Aaryan’s first venture with Junglee Pictures, a production house renowned for its content-driven and entertaining films like “Talwar,” “Raazi,” and “Badhaai Ho.”

Adding to the intrigue is the choice of director for “Jasmine.” Randeep Jha,...

Manoj Bajpayee, known as one of India’s finest actors, is adopting a mass-market action hero persona in upcoming film “Bhaiyya Ji.”

The story, where Bajpayee’s character faces off against a powerful man and his henchmen to seek revenge for wrongs done to his family, is literally ripped from the headlines. The actor read the real-life story in a newspaper several years ago and it stayed with him.

“I wanted to do an independent film and really explore this mindset of revenge, where it comes from, really analyze it and find the psychology of revenge in the human mind, that fascinated me,” Bajpayee told Variety. While shooting courtroom drama “Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai” (2023), the actor mentioned it to director Apoorv Singh Karki, who was similarly fascinated by the idea.

“I just wanted his opinion on it. But this guy jumped up and said, ‘I’m a big fan of mass entertainers,...

New Delhi, April 10 (Ians) In ‘Trial By Fire’, he stunned his audiences with a spectacle of honesty and purity that can inspire an inner silence.

In ‘Kohrra’, the pace, the silences and the unsaid conveyed more than words and movements. In both, thoughts were conveyed through a delicate vengeance.

Even as filmmaker Randeep Jha, who directed the web series ‘Kohrra’ and co-directed ‘Trial By Fire’, is all set to work on a big-budget film being made by a major studio, which he insists is an interesting space that he has not touched in terms of craft, he admits that while ‘Trial By Fire’ was critically acclaimed, but it was ‘Kohrra’ that stunned everyone and precipitated several major names in the film industry to call him and show interest in working with him.

For someone originally from Bihar, who spent several years in Delhi training under theatre teacher Barry John, it...

New Delhi, April 10 (Ians) In ‘Trial By Fire’, he stunned his audiences with a spectacle of honesty and purity that can inspire an inner silence.

In ‘Kohrra’, the pace, the silences and the unsaid conveyed more than words and movements. In both, thoughts were conveyed through a delicate vengeance.

Even as filmmaker Randeep Jha, who directed the web series ‘Kohrra’ and co-directed ‘Trial By Fire’, is all set to work on a big-budget film being made by a major studio, which he insists is an interesting space that he has not touched in terms of craft, he admits that while ‘Trial By Fire’ was critically acclaimed, but it was ‘Kohrra’ that stunned everyone and precipitated several major names in the film industry to call him and show interest in working with him.

For someone originally from Bihar, who spent several years in Delhi training under theatre teacher Barry John, it...

He recalls the time when a few years back, after earning Rs 5,000 in a theatre production, he took the next train out to Mumbai. Of course, the money did not last long and he was back in one month.

There were minor roles for Suvinder Vicky in Punjabi films the uncle, the distant relative. He was waiting for his ‘chance’, and knew it would come one day, but doubts had also started creeping in.

Cut to the web series ‘Kohrra’ where his stellar performance made even Karan Johar remark: “I was blown away by Suvinder Vicky’s performance, he is and will be the revelation of 2023 across film and streaming … his silences can launch a million scripts.”

Vicky recalls that when he was offered the role, he had little idea it would catapult him straight into the big league, considering his next film is with Manoj Bajpai. He stresses that...

Festival, Market

The first edition of India’s Cinevesture International Film Festival and market will feature a range of masterclasses and panels headlined by a range of luminaries including filmmakers Shekhar Kapur (“What’s Love Got to Do with It?”) and Karan Johar (“Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani”).

The lineup also includes actors Jaideep Ahlawat (“Paatal Lok”), Roshan Mathew (“Paradise”), Suvinder Vicky (“Kohrra”), Rajshri Deshpande (“Trial by Fire”), Boman Irani (“Dunki”), Rasika Dugal (“Mirzapur”), Abhay Deol (“Trial by Fire”), actor-producers Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal (“Girls Will be Girls”), filmmakers Tahira Kashyap (“Sharmajee Ki Beti”), Sudhir Mishra (“Tanaav”), Ajitpal Singh (“Tabbar”), Anurag Singh (“Kesri”) and Saugata Mukherjee, head of content at streamer SonyLiv.

As previously announced, the India premieres of France’s “The Taste of Things” and Korea’s “Exhuma” will open and close the festival. Former Cannes film market director Jerome Paillard, Indian actor and producer Rana Daggubati and...

The first edition of India’s Cinevesture International Film Festival (Ciff) has revealed 20 projects that will participate in its accompanying market.

Comprising 17 features and three series, several of the projects are by creators who have found acclaim both internationally and in South Asia.

From Bangladeshi auteur Mostofa Sarwar Farooki (Busan title “Something Like an Autobiography”) comes Hindi and English-language unconventional romance “To Hell With Love.” Alankrita Srivasttava (Tokyo winner “Lipstick Under My Burkha”) has English and Hindi-language drama “Girls of Orlem,” an adaptation of Lindsay Pereira’s bestselling novel “Gods and Ends.” Gurvinder Singh is prepping Hindi, Punjabi and English-language historical thriller series “The Trial.”

“#Jack” is a thriller film from Bhaskar Hazarika (Tribeca selection “Aamis”), while “Chhaal” (“The Skin”) by Don Palathara (Rotterdam title “Family”) is a folk thriller adapted from a story by Vijayan Detha. “Encounter” by Anurag Singh (the Jatt and Juliet franchise) is a drama-thriller in...

India is on the verge of producing a global breakthrough streaming hit, leading industry players said over the past week across two panel discussions.

The mood in the country has been celebratory, even self-congratulatory, albeit with some justification, after the Oscar wins for S.S. Rajamouli’s “Rrr” and Karthiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga’s “The Elephant Whisperers.” On the streaming front, all the major players have had several hits. SonyLIV scored an International Emmy nomination for “Rocket Boys,” for lead actor Jim Sarbh. Netflix won the International Emmy for comedy for “Vir Das: Landing” and “The Railway Men” cracked the streamer’s global non-English TV top 3 in addition to topping the South Asian chart. Locally, Netflix dominated the Filmfare streaming awards with 26 wins including prizes for “Trial by Fire,” “Kohrra” and “Scoop.”

Prime Video’s “The Panchayat Season 2” won best series at the International Film Festival of India’s inaugural...

Netflix India emerged as a big winner at the Filmfare Ott Awards 2023 last evening, bagging 26 awards and reaffirming its position as a leading platform for quality content. Its diverse slate of series and films garnered widespread acclaim, with many of its productions being recognized for their compelling storytelling, stellar performances, and exceptional direction.

The series winner list includes “Best Series” for Scoop, “Best Series Critics” for Trial By Fire, “Best Director Critics” for Randeep Jha (Kohrra), “Best Actor Series” for Suvinder Vicky (Kohrra) and Rajshri Deshpande (Trial By Fire), “Best Actor Series Critics” for Karishma Tanna (Scoop), “Best Supporting Actor” for Barun Sobti (Kohrra) and Tillotama Shome (Delhi Crime S2).

The films’ winner list has “Best Film Critics” for Konkona Sen Sharma (Lust Stories) And Vasan Bala (Monica O My Darling), “Best Actor Film Critics” for Rajkummar Rao (Monica O My Darling) and Sanya Malhotra (Kathal), “Best Actor- Web Original...

Netflix India emerged as a big winner at the Filmfare Ott Awards 2023 last evening, bagging 26 awards and reaffirming its position as a leading platform for quality content. Its diverse slate of series and films garnered widespread acclaim, with many of its productions being recognized for their compelling storytelling, stellar performances, and exceptional direction.

The series winner list includes “Best Series” for Scoop, “Best Series Critics” for Trial By Fire, “Best Director Critics” for Randeep Jha (Kohrra), “Best Actor Series” for Suvinder Vicky (Kohrra) and Rajshri Deshpande (Trial By Fire), “Best Actor Series Critics” for Karishma Tanna (Scoop), “Best Supporting Actor” for Barun Sobti (Kohrra) and Tillotama Shome (Delhi Crime S2).

The films’ winner list has “Best Film Critics” for Konkona Sen Sharma (Lust Stories) And Vasan Bala (Monica O My Darling), “Best Actor Film Critics” for Rajkummar Rao (Monica O My Darling) and Sanya Malhotra (Kathal), “Best Actor- Web Original...

Netflix India has been rolling out some great content this year. Kohrra is easily one of the best shows so far in the Ott space. This was followed by the unprecedented success seen by Scoop, Guns & Gulaabs, and Choona. The streaming giant has, for the past few months, boasted of delivering shows in various subjects and genres that have captivated the audience. The brand new Kaala Paani is a callback to the 1996 Mohanlal starrer period film of the same name, directed by Priyadarshan. Meanwhile, this show is a medical drama set on Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is interesting to see Netflix India’s foraying into this genre, as there is already Disney+ Hotstar’s Humans and Amazon Prime Video’s Mumbai Diaries. Both are fine examples of good medical dramas.

Spoilers Ahead

Story And Plot

The name Kaala Paani takes everyone back to the stories of Cellular Jail, located...

New Delhi, Aug 18 (Ians) Reliance Jio on Friday announced the launch of Jio prepaid plans with a bundled Netflix subscription.

A Netflix subscription is already available on select Jio Postpaid and Jio Fiber plans, but this is the first time that a Netflix subscription will be available on a prepaid plan, the company said.

A Netflix mobile-only plan will come bundled with Jio’s Rs 1,099 plan, whereas a Rs 1,499 plan will give subscribers access to Netflix Basic. Both plans have a validity of 84 days.

With this launch, over 400 million Jio prepaid customers will get the option of availing a Netflix subscription through a Jio Prepaid bundled plan.

“The launch of Netflix bundles with our prepaid plan is yet another step to demonstrate our resolve. Our partnership with global partners like Netflix has grown in strength and together we are creating use cases for the rest of the world to follow,...

Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh’s film ‘Punjab ’95’, a potentially incendiary drama that was due to premiere as a gala presentation at the Toronto International Film Festival, has been removed from the line-up. The film is “a compelling story based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra,” producer RSVP and the festival described the film as telling the story of Khalra “uncovering murderous corruption during Punjab’s period of insurgency” in social media posts, reports Variety.

‘Punjab ’95’ is directed by Honey Trehan who previously made 2020 Netflix thriller ‘Raat Akeli Hai.’ The cast of ‘Punjab ’95’ includes popular musician and actor Diljit Dosanjh, Bollywood star Arjun Rampal and Suvinder Vicky, known for Cannes title ‘The Fourth Direction’, Venice selection ‘Milestone’ and recent Netflix hit series ‘Kohrra’.

Any mention of the film has been removed from the festival website. The festival had not responded to a request for comment from.

“Punjab ’95,” a potentially incendiary drama that was due to premiere as a gala presentation at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), has been removed from the lineup.

The film is “a compelling story based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra,” per producer RSVP and the festival described the film as telling the story of Khalra “uncovering murderous corruption during Punjab’s period of insurgency” in social media posts.

Any mention of the film has disappeared from the festival website. The festival confirmed to Variety that the filmmaking team of “Punjab 95” removed the film from the TIFF 2023 lineup. RSVP declined to comment.

In June 1984, the then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered an army operation against militants at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, a holy location for Sikhs, that was criticized by many in the community. In October, Gandhi’s Sikh bodyguards assassinated her, leading to anti-Sikh riots across northern India.

The film tells the true story of human-rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra.

Punjab ’95, a controversial drama about Indian human-rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, has been pulled from the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival.

The feature was due to receive its world premiere in the Gala Presentations strand of TIFF on September 11 but a festival spokesperson confirmed to Screen that it is no longer part of the programme. The festival would not comment further on the reasons behind its withdrawal.

Based on a true story, it stars singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh as Khalra, a renowned human-rights activist who found evidence of the abduction,...

This post contains slight spoilers for Netflix's "Kohrra."

Over the years, Indian crime thrillers or procedural-centered dramas on Netflix have performed really well, appealing to global audiences with their layered take on institutional efficiency and our understanding of how these systems work. Examples such as "Sacred Games" and "Pataal Lok" come to mind, and following this trend of complex, subversive entries in the genre is "Kohrra" (roughly translated to "fog"), which is currently topping Netflix India charts and is ranked pretty high in the Top 10 across South Asia and the Middle East (via Variety). Despite the crime procedural genre being oversaturated at this point, "Kohrra" manages to take specific tropes and subvert them thoroughly, especially when it comes to the portrayal of hegemonic politics of the "romance in the mustard field" trope.

"Kohrra" opens with a murder in a field, where a layer of dense fog hangs over the scene.

Former Disney India head and producer of Sony Liv hit “Rocket Boys,” Siddharth Roy Kapur has hailed the reinvigorated Indian box office and robust streaming space. Nevertheless, he sees challenges ahead.

After Shah Rukh Khan’s “Pathaan” ignited a stagnant post-pandemic box office in January, hits have been sporadic. While there were sparks across India’s various language-specific film industries, including the Hindi-language “The Kerala Story,” “Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar” and “Zara Hatke Zara Bachke,” the Telugu-language “Waltair Veerayya” and “Veera Simha Reddy,” the Malayalam-language “2018” and “Romancham” and the Tamil-language “Ponniyin Selvan: II,” the overall box office remained sluggish for the first five months of 2023.

The Indian box office caught fire in the June-July period with hits including the Hindi-language “Satyaprem Ki Katha,” Marathi-language “Baipan Bhaari Deva,” Punjabi-language “Carry On Jatta 3,” Telugu-language “Bro” and “Baby” and Tamil-language “Maaveeran” keeping the turnstiles ticking over.

Hollywood enjoys a 10% market share in India and,...

Behind every powerful story lies the masterful penmanship of talented writers. In the entertainment world, some extraordinary individuals have emerged from humble beginnings in small towns, capturing hearts and leaving an indelible impact on audiences worldwide.

Here is a list of seven small-town writers and their inspiring journeys of soaring to great heights.

Sudip Sharma

Born in Guwahati, Sudip pursued an Mba from Iim-Ahmedabad in 2002. He then moved to Mumbai and joined major Fmcg companies. However, his passion for screenwriting led him to explore this field further, and after writing a short film in 2006, he immersed himself in learning the craft.

In 2014, Sharma made his mark in feature screenwriting with the gripping thriller ‘NH10’, drawing inspiration from real-life honor killing cases. Continuing his success, Sudip collaborated with director Abhishek Chaubey, writing the dialogues and screenplay for the crime drama ‘Udta Punjab’ and ‘Sonchiriya’. Recently, he co-wrote and created ‘Kohrra’, featuring Barun Sobti and Harleen Sethi,...

Sudip Sharma, the creator of the recently released crime-drama streaming series ‘Kohrra’, has shared that they shot for the series during the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in India, and it greatly helped them to bring in the authenticity.

Sudip said: “What really helps is shooting on location to bring in the authenticity. The Covid third wave scare that we faced actually worked in our favour because we went to Punjab and parked ourselves before the third wave started raging across. And in the process were living the land of Punjab and imbibing its culture.”

Tanya Bami, series head at Netflix, who’s a Punjabi herself, concurred saying the show appeals to the audience across the spectrum.

She said: “The viewing experience truly reflects what the team felt and delivered because they soaked in so much of the vibe of that place that it all shows on the screen...

The co-writer of the crime investigative drama ‘Kohrra’, Gunjit Chopra has opened up on how the Korean movie ‘Memories of Murder’, left a lasting impression on him, and influenced some of his ideas, for the writing of this series.

One of the key aspects that Gunjit sought to explore through ‘Kohrra’ was the private lives of police officers, a realm rarely depicted in crime dramas.

He revealed how the characters he met during his work on another project in Punjab, became a source of inspiration for him.

“I thought, why not blend elements from various lives into cop characters and see how it unfolds? The Korean movie ‘Memories of Murder’ also left a lasting impression, influencing some of my ideas,” said the creative mastermind.

‘Memories of Murder’ is a 2003 South Korean crime thriller film directed by Bong Joon-ho. It is based on the 1996 play ‘Come to See Me’ by Kim Kwang-rim.

“Bird Box Barcelona” remained the most-watched film worldwide on Netflix, even as “The Out-Laws” and the newly released “They Cloned Tyrone” dominated the Top 10 English film chart for the week of July 17. Read on for this week’s analysis.

Normally, Netflix’s English language films have the biggest audiences across the globe on a weekly basis, but with 19 million views, “Bird Box Barcelona” was the most-watched film in much of Latin and South America, as well as Spain and ten other European countries, plus a good portion of Asia as well.

Because of that, the “Bird Box” prequel ended up faring better than the #1 English language film, “The Out-Laws,” starring Adam Devine, Nina Dobrev, Pierce Brosnan and Ellen Barkin, which continues to be quite popular with 12.1 million views last week. “The Out-Laws” was in the Top 10 for 93 countries, but only #1 in four European countries, as well as Israel.

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“Bridgerton” spin-off series “Queen Charlotte” has entered Netflix’s all-time most popular shows list.

Debuting on the streamer’s most popular English series list at No. 10, the romantic drama has logged 80.3 million views to date. With “Wednesday” Season 1 still sitting atop the list, the first and second installments of “Bridgerton” remain on the list in the fourth and eighth spots, respectively. “Queen Charlotte” follows “The Witcher” Season 1, which holds down the ninth spot on the list.

In terms of this week’s viewing, “Sweet Magnolias” Season 3 and the second installment of “The Lincoln Lawyer” locked down the top spots on the English TV list, in the first and second spots, respectively, with a tie for a viewership of 4.6 million. The first season of “The Lincoln Lawyer” also appeared...

New Delhi, July 24 (Ians) The showrunner of crime-investigative drama ‘Kohrra’, Sudip Sharma has shared his vision on the casting of English actress Rachel Shelley, saying they needed an actor with an experience in Indian shooting conditions, and she delivered a great job.

Rachel was seen as Elizabeth Russell in the Oscar-nominated Bollywood epic 2001 release ‘Lagaan’, starring Aamir Khan in the lead. In ‘Kohrra’ she is seen as Clara Murphy, a character based in the UK.

Sudip called Rachel a fantastic actor, saying she delivered a great job.

“We are all aware of her work. I had seen some of her work outside India as well, but it was also a bit of a practical decision, because I wanted an actor who is used to the madness that shooting can be in India, and it could have been difficult,” Sudip told Ians.

“Shooting web series is tough, we are shooting close to five pages a day,...

Since launching on Netflix on July 15, Indian crime drama Kohrra has shot to the top of the streamer’s Indian rankings and had critics, audiences and industry figures including Karan Johar raving about the show.

In addition to describing it as an atmospheric murder mystery, local critics have praised the series for being an incisive portrait of contemporary Punjab, the northwestern Indian state where it is set.

The six-part series follows two cops – played by Suvinder Vicky and Barun Sobti – investigating the murder of an Nri (non-resident Indian) who lives in London but has travelled to India for an arranged marriage. After he’s found dead in a field, with the British friend who had accompanied him also missing, the cops start to unravel not just a murder case, but a complex web of family secrets, land-related power plays, childhood trauma and parental patriarchy.

Randeep Jha, who was recently a...

Indian police procedural noir “Kohrra” (“Fog”) is the latest hit for streaming service Netflix.

The six-episode Punjabi- and Hindi-language drama bowed July 15 atop the Netflix India chart, where it remains in pole position for a second week. It also placed highly in the streamer’s top 10 charts across much of South Asia and the Middle East.

In the show, when a bridegroom from the U.K. is found dead days before his wedding, two cops must unravel the troubling case as turbulence unfolds in their own lives. The cast is led by Suvinder Vicky, known for Cannes title “The Fourth Direction” and Venice festival title “Milestone,” and Barun Sobti.

The series is created by Gunjit Chopra and Sudip Sharma, who previously teamed on hit Prime Video police procedural series “Paatal Lok” (2020), and Diggi Sisodia, co-creator of Zee Studios’ Berlin Series Market Selects series “Brown.” It is directed by Randeep Jha,...

New Delhi, July 24 (Ians) Showrunner Sudip Sharma who is currently basking in the success of the crime-investigative drama ‘Kohrra’, said it’s his curiosity to understand India better, and that’s what drives his urge to travel to different places with his work.

The screenwriter Sudip has an array of work like ‘Pataal Lok’, ‘NH10’, ‘Pari’, ‘Udta Punjab’, ‘Sonchiriya’ based in cities like Delhi-ncr, West Bengal, Chambal, and Punjab.

On his fascination of showcasing stories of different places, Sudip told Ians: “I am really trying to understand this country myself, It’s such a complex and fascinating country with so many regions geography, languages, cultures and subcultures.”

“We are sitting in our homes, offices in cities, we know so little about it. I have this curiosity inside me really to understand this country better, and that’s what takes me to all of these places. I just want to know what these places are about,...

At the heart of intriguing crime investigation drama ‘Kohrra’, is the talented actor Suvinder Vicky, who beautifully essays the role of Balbir, a character that embodies the essence of compassion and kindness through his relationship with various characters.

With an unwavering conviction, Suvinder proclaims, “Amid a story excellently depicting the human imperfections and flaws, is also the perfect shade of love which is kindness being depicted by every character in this series.”

The story transcends the boundaries of ordinary storytelling, as ‘Kohrra’ unveils a multitude of shades and intricacies, leaving no character untouched. It mirrors the relationships we encounter in our everyday lives, shedding light on human nature.

As the narrative unfolds, viewers witness diverse roles, each with their own unique shades of love. From profound connections to fleeting encounters, ‘Kohrra’ masterfully explores the depth and intricacy of the emotions that every human has.

For Suvinder, portraying Balbir was a transformative experience.

Actress Harleen Sethi, who is receiving a lot of positive response for her recently released streaming series ‘Kohrra’, shared an incident from the first day of the shoot when she was eft with a bruised hand. The actress said that the first day of the shoot involved the school scene where her character of Nimrat and her father, Balbir Singh, played by Suvinder Vicky, discover that Nimrat’s son has gone missing.

Narrating the incident, the actress shared, “Balbir, comes to the school and I rush to him and break the news that my son has gone missing. Now his character was supposed to grab my hands and push me against the wall, angry over the situation that how could I as a mother not pay attention to my child and his grandchild”.

She further mentioned that Suvinder was quite apprehensive of holding her hand with a firm grip as...

Director Randeep Jha skillfully takes audiences on a thrilling journey in ‘Kohrra’, delving into the intertwined lives of dysfunctional families, and the chilling depths of the crime.

Set against the backdrop of the picturesque countryside of Punjab, the story revolves around the discovery of a murdered Nri just days before his wedding.

‘Kohrra’ sets itself apart by seamlessly incorporating both Hindi and Punjabi languages, a multilingual approach that adds authenticity and richness to the narrative.

Randeep emphasised the importance of silence in certain parts of the narrative, acknowledging the challenge it poses, while adding depth and suspense to the story.

He shared: “In ‘Kohrra,’ we have strived to create an immersive experience by introducing all our characters through the eyes of the cops. By delving into the hidden aspects and adding moments of silence, we aim to bring forth a narrative that resonates deeply with the audience.”

Suvinder Vicky and...

Within 24 hours of its release, Kohrra has become one of the most riveting murder mysteries in the Ott space. A Netflix original that takes the audience through rural Punjab, which is ravaged by drug menace, the constant divide between the rich and the poor, corruption, homophobia, and inherent patriarchy. All this forms a headless monster that becomes too difficult to fight. Kohrra touches upon all these topics in a manner that would disconcert the audience.

Many shows in the past few years have forayed into the murder investigative genre because it gives a perspective on how real-life murder investigations are carried out and what factors influence them. Stories in this genre also let the audience understand society in general and how they perceive things around them. Below are some of the web series in the murder investigation genre that could draw parallels to what we’ve seen in Kohrra.

Kerala Crime Files...

New Delhi, July 18 (Ians) In the midst of the recently released crime-investigative drama ‘Kohrra’, an enigmatic crime investigative series, the background music emerges as a star player.

Popular on the Punjabi rap music scene, Wazir Patar, known to blend traditional tunes with electronic beats, has provided the background music score for the show that breathes life into the narrative.

Speaking of his contribution in the show, Wazir expressed, “I have always seen myself as a storyteller conveying stories from my home Punjab in the form of musical notes and my songs. When the team of ‘Kohrra’ approached me and explained to me the storyline of the series, I knew exactly the songs from my library that would complement the story and amplify the emotions.”

“I am glad that the entire team behind the series Kohrra stayed authentic in approaching the soundtrack just like they have been for all the elements while making this series,...

Mumbai, July 17 (Ians) The recently released streaming show ‘Kohrra’ has been receiving a lot of appreciation from the audience for its nuanced storytelling with layered characters. Sudip Sharma, the creator of the show, shared that the inception of the show was actually a poem by Charles Bukowski.

‘Kohrra’ follows the story of an Nri’s murder and the drama that unfolds. Each character in the show is dealing with some or the other situation and has its own dark secrets that make it a compelling watch. This is not just a one-dimensional crime drama that follows just the investigation.

Talking about the genesis of the show, Sudip told Ians: “The show came into being with the idea to explore various facets of love. The genesis of the show was the poem ‘Love is a dog from hell’ by Charles Bukowski. We wanted to explore love and its different forms, be it between two lovers,...

In Kohrra, we get to watch plenty of characters that are not exactly bad or good. There are multiple shades of gray given to almost everyone in the show to help us understand the motivations that make them want to behave a certain way. There are fathers, uncles, brothers, mothers, cousins, and daughters who believe that whatever they are doing is right. Especially the elders in the show tend to take steps that they claim are in family’s best interests, even though they might not be good for their children. Nothing but a lot of self-awareness can get someone to admit that they might be wrong, and since Kohrra is set in the present day, expecting people close to you to not to be selfish is difficult.

Amarpal Garundi, a young police officer working with Balbir Singh with Punjab Police, is the Imran Ansari to Balbir’s Hathi Ram...

Netflix has hit the jackpot with Kohrra, the brand-new crime investigation drama set in rural Punjab. The arresting nature of the narrative, brought to life by some great performances, makes the show a must-watch. Some of the best writing, direction, and cinematography of this year can be seen in the six episodic series by Diggi Sisodia, Gunjit Chopra, and Sudip Sharma. The climax of Kohrra happens to be an emotional roller coaster that leaves the audience with a lump in their throat and a heavy heart.

It was only after Liam’s postmortem report came out that many truths were revealed. Steve, Paul’s father, was in for a shock when he learned that Paul was a gay, and that he and Liam had been in love for many years. Steve is angry because he cannot believe his son is not who he thought he was. Homophobia runs deep in his system,...

Mumbai, July 17 (Ians) Actor Barun Sobti has spoken about shooting for the series ‘Kohrra’ in Punjab and said that it was like discovering the land through new lens.

Barun said: “It’s a coincidence that I am playing a cop in Kohrra who is engulfed in solving a murder mystery because I thoroughly enjoy mysteries. After shooting, I, somehow, found that there was a mystery room near the location and I urged Sudip Sharma and Gunjit Chopra to come experience the thrill.”

“Shooting in Punjab for Kohrra for me was discovering the land from a new lens. We traveled inroads and shot at various locations to sustain the authenticity and rawness that resonates with the storyline of the series.”

The Netflix series Kohrra, set in the heartland of Punjab, takes the audiences on a thrilling journey through the intertwined lives of dysfunctional families and the depths of a crime investigation.

Kohrra, the brand-new murder investigation drama on Netflix, created and written by Gunjit Chopra, Diggi Sisodia, and Sudip Sharma, takes us through a different Punjab. The class divide, rampant patriarchy, and unending drug menace dominate the landscape of this Punjab we get to see. Amidst all of this, the murder of a British national of Indian origin sparks uproar, and the police are under tremendous pressure to solve the case. This murder investigation only helps in understanding the above mentioned aspects in depth. Their findings throughout this process make the show highly watchable.

Spoilers Ahead

A Murderer And A Missing Person

The show begins with a young boy and his girlfriend finding the body of a man with his pants down in the fields of a large farm, which they then inform the police about the same. The deceased man is identified as an Nri British national named Paul Dhillon,...

We all must admit that well-made murder investigation stories will always blow your mind. If packaged and delivered properly, it is an ideal way to spend an afternoon understanding the nuances of a case and what goes on behind the scenes. Lately, there have been plenty of tales in this genre from various regions of the country, which helps the audience understand the local police and the native culture in depth. We have had Disney’s Kerala Crime Files and Shaitan, Amazon’s Suzhal: The Vortex, and Netflix’s Delhi Crime take the audience down roads that were seldom chosen by filmmakers in the past. The new Netflix original Kohrra, created by Gunjit Chopra and Diggi Sisodia and co-created by Sudip Sharma of Paatal Lok fame, brings you the story of a murder that shakes up a small town, putting the police under constant pressure ever since to catch the culprit.

Netflix’s original thriller series, Kohrra, has released its official trailer, setting high expectations for the series to be an enthralling narrative set against the serene backdrop of Punjab’s countryside. The talented team behind the critically acclaimed series Pataal Lok, including Sudip Sharma, Gunjit Chopra, and Diggi Sisodia, have reunited to present their storytelling magic once more, ensuring that audiences can expect nothing short of a bone-chilling and captivating experience.

One of the key elements of the series that adds to the excitement is the stellar cast of talented performers. Barun Sobti, Suvinder Vicky, Manish Chaudhari, and many other exceptional actors have been carefully chosen and we’re sure they’re going to have an incredible chemistry. As evidenced in the trailer, we can already say the characters played by Barun Sobti and Suvinder Vicky are going to bring depth and complexity to their characters, engaging the audience in the unfolding mystery.

Showrunner Sudip Sharma, known for his work on the critically acclaimed films like ‘Udta Punjab’, ‘NH10’, ‘Sonchiriya’ among few, has shared his vision for ‘Kohraa’, aiming to delve into the lesser-known aspects of vibrant Indian state, Punjab.

Having previously collaborated with Gunjit Chopra on ‘Udta Punjab’, Sudip knew that Gunjit’s passion for Punjab ran deep, which further fueled his desire to explore this captivating land.

When ‘Kohrra’ was pitched to him, he could immediately sense the unmistakable scent of Punjab calling out to him with its unique charm.

Sudip believes that a story must be intricately woven into its setting, inseparable from the tapestry of its time and place. From the agrarian heartland to the Nri diaspora and the industrial belt, ‘Kohrra’ seeks to capture the essence of Punjab through an unexplored lens.

Shedding light on his experience, he said: “Research is the lifeblood of storytelling. The idea with...

Netflix’s upcoming crime investigative drama, Kohrra, promises to take viewers on a captivating journey through the diverse and unseen side of Punjab. Showrunner Sudip Sharma, known for his work on the critically acclaimed films like Udta Punjab, NH10, Sonchiriya among few, shares his vision for the series, aiming to delve into the lesser-known aspects of this vibrant Indian State.

Having previously collaborated with Gunjit Chopra on Udta Punjab, Sudip knew that Gunjit’s passion for Punjab ran deep, which further fuelled his desire to explore this captivating land. When Kohrra was pitched to him, he could immediately sense the unmistakable scent of Punjab calling out to him with its unique charm.

Sudip Sharma believes that a story must be intricately woven into its setting, inseparable from the tapestry of its time and place. From the agrarian heartland to the Nri diaspora and the industrial belt, Kohrra seeks to capture...

Actor Suvinder Vicky, who will be now seen playing a cop in ‘Kohrra’, has shared that there were a few demanding scenes that required him to channel his intense emotions to appear natural. Suvinder takes on the challenging role of Balbir, a cop-character who is set out to solve a murder mystery while dealing with his complicated personal life.

As a disturbed father with a troubling past, Suvinder not only needed to own the mannerisms and body language of a policeman, but also slip into the skin of a man with conflicting and layered sentiments.

Opening up about the difficulties he faced while portraying Balbir, Suvinder said: “The first one was when I had to raise my hand at Harleen Sethi. Before shooting this scene, I apologised to her in case I hurt her in the process.”

Within this emotionally charged narrative, Suvinder’s character shines through as he navigates...

Actress Harleen Sethi, who is awaiting the release of her streaming show ‘Kohrra’, happened to have forged a very special connection with her personal self.

For the Netflix show, Harleen got inked, and it has an endearing back story. She even revealed how her character Nimrat from ‘Kohrra’ is very much a part of her.

Getting Gurmukhi script engraved on her hand, Harleen shared a little video of the moment. And the heartwarming note she wrote with it makes the moment even more special.

She wrote: “Nimrat (is) a part of me. As a Mumbai Ki Mulgi I never quite took to my Punjabi roots, rather always ran away from it as a kid. I had a cosmopolitan attitude as someone born and brought up in this city that was considered cooler, but as they say it’s never too late, ‘Kohrra’ was a push in this direction.”

Harleen further added: “Before we started filming,...

Actress Rachel Shelley of ‘Lagaan’ fame is making a comeback to Indian screens with the crime investigative series ‘Kohrra’ on Netflix.

The actress gained widespread recognition in India for her role as Elizabeth Russell in ‘Lagaan’ starring Aamir Khan. The film released in 2001.

In ‘Kohrra’, Rachel’s character portrays the complexity of love through her relationship with her son. Her character’s commitment to her son’s happiness is evident in her choices and actions in the series.

Rachel expressed her fascination with this layered story, recognising its ability to both uplift and challenge individuals.

The actress said: “Love, with its incredible capacity to uplift and disrupt, takes center stage in ‘Kohrra.’ It’s a layered and compelling story that highlights the complexities of human emotions. In ‘Kohrra’, the presence of secrets, too, add layers of intrigue and depth to the narrative.”

“My character Clara carries a significant secret, and as the story unfolds,...

The trailer of the upcoming streaming series ‘Kohrra’ gives a glimpse of a murder mystery set in Punjab. It opens with the passersby discovering the body of an Nri Punjabi guy.

The two minute long trailer then goes on to explore the social implications of the murder while testing every character emotionally and morally as they fight their own demons during the course of investigation.

Human relationships are often complex and with a murder in the mix, the lines get blurred as the pursuit of truth becomes harder in the teaser.

With the murder, many skeletons tumble out of the closet and the trailer manages to portray the same in a succinct manner.

The show stars Suvinder Vicky, Barun Sobti, Varun Badola, Harleen Sethi, Rachel Shelly, and Manish Chaudhary.

The series follows dual storylines of hunting down a killer and navigating love and relationships. Helmed by Sudip Sharma, Randeep Jha,...

Do not adjust your phone screen. You are not experiencing deja vu. Netflix’s list of new releases for July 2023 does indeed look quite a bit like last month’s.

That’s because the biggest new arrival this month is the conclusion of The Witcher season 3 on July 27. It seems like only 29 days ago that The Witcher season 3 premiered. And that’s because it was! Now Henry Cavill’s arc as Geralt of Rivia is set to officially end with this batch of three episodes. Get ready for the Liam Hemsworth era, Witcher fans. Other Netflix Original series of note in July 2023 are The Lincoln Lawyer season 2 on July 6, Sonic Prime season 2 on July 13 and the animated comedy Captain Fall on July 28.

Meanwhile it’s a big month for Netflix’s original movies department. Adam Devine-starring comedy The Out-Laws premieres on July 7. That will be followed by Bird Box...

Netflix is keeping things cool this summer as the streamer reveals its July lineup with the arrival of returning favorites and fresh films. Whether you’re in the market for a movie night or a TV binge, the platform has you covered with new seasons of The Witcher, Sweet Magnolias, and The Lincoln Lawyer as well as the debut of new films like The Out-Laws starring Adam DeVine and more. Plus, if you’re missing the streamer’s fan-favorite Cobra Kai, look no further than the Karate Kid film franchise which arrives in the Netflix library this July alongside popular films like Titanic, Pride and Prejudice, and Bridesmaids. Below, learn more about the buzziest shows landing on the platform this summer and see the full list of what’s coming and going from the streamer this July. Available This Month on Netflix: July Tba The Dragon Prince: Season 5 — Netflix...

Actor Barun Sobti, who is gearing up for his Ott release ‘Badtameez Dil’, feels all the good work these days is getting released only on Ott.

The actor whose shows: ‘Asur 2’ and ‘Badtameez Dil’ released in a span of one week on two different Ott platforms is garnering accolades from everyone for his amazing acting skills. He spoke about the Ott revolution that is helping actors get good work.

He said: “I have limited myself to very less work. I like to do less stuff and whatever I like to do is coming on Ott. Actually all the good work is now coming only on Ott. So yes, the Ott revolution is for good.”

The actor plays the lead role in both the seasons of Asur. Regarding what got him interested in the project, he said: “When season 1 came my way, I went through the script and I had not...