BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 24 (IANS) The release date of Anushka Sharma's debut digital production, the thriller web series "Paatal Lok", has been locked as May 15.## Anushka on Friday shared a high-pitch, CGI-loaded teaser on her social media accounts, announcing the release date and also teasing the plotline of the show.## "From the underbelly comes a crime thriller that will change how you look at the world you live in. #PaatalLok #NewSeriesOnPrime, May 15," she wrote while sharing the short clip.## The show has Neeraj Kabi, Gul Panag, and Jaideep Ahlawat in key roles, and the teaser suggests it will be about the dormant, dark and dangerous underbelly -- or 'paatal lok' -- of the seemingly peaceful world we live in.## Coupled with a somber narration, the teaser puts a spotlight on the darker side of humanity.## Without revealing characters, the video uses dark graphics and animation to paint a sordid picture and shows how truth and justice are shunned when demons roam the earth in the garb of humans.## In the teaser, a bespectacled and suited newscaster morphs into a ten-headed demon and spreads hatred, and the blind lady of justice is soaked in blood. A park becomes a cemetery and a city catches fire.## Exploring the dark recesses of immorality, the series aims at being neo-noir entertainment that is inspired by the traditional concepts of Swargalok (heaven), Dharti Lok (earth), and Patal Lok (netherworld), and delves into the interplay within the four estates of democracy.## Earlier this week, Anushka had shared another teaser for the series. It showed blood spattering on-screen with the narrator saying: "The countdown has begun. To change the laws of the land, worms have crept in, who will spread terror and shed blood. They will turn the world into a living hell."## The show is produced by Anushka's banner, Clean Slate Films, and it will stream on Amazon Prime Video.## For more and latest news about digital media, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

New Delhi, April 23 (IANS) Randeep Hooda is glad to be the first Indian male actor doing a Hollywood action film, and the Bollywood star says it feels great to be able to break stereotypical references of Indian characters in the West.## Randeep will be entering Hollywood as Saju in Netflix's "Extraction", starring Chris Hemsworth and David Harbour. Randeep has stepped out of his comfort zone to make an action-packed entry in the West.## "I was glad to get the movie on two to three levels. I got to feature as the first Indian male actor doing the action in a Hollywood film. Breaking the stereotypes of IT professionals, millionaires or comic relief in a film. It was great that I was able to break that barrier," Randeep told IANS.## He continued: "I haven't done hand to hand action much. I have an action image but haven't done much action (on-screen). So, this was a new thing. It was new territory for me as an actor, to be able to use other factors as an actor and not just drama, and to be able to use my body and to be able to learn new things. I really enjoyed it... And feeling safe while doing it because they were so well prepared. I was elated and grateful that I got to do this part."## In the film, Saju is the one who brings Hemsworth's Tyler Rake on board to the extraction of his boss' child. The character is layered, with an emotional vein adding a touch of sensitivity in the action-packed story.## "The layers in the part are a result of discussions, and Sam Hargrave's vision from discussions, ranging from mutually favorite movies and writers. And then (it was a result of) adding a universal emotional angle, which is the family. It deals a lot with that and wanting to create a difference from the point you first see this guy to the last time you see this guy. His journey was a very gratifying experience," Randeep said while explaining his role.## Originally titled "Dhaka", the film revolves around Tyler Rake (essayed by Hemsworth), a fearless, black market mercenary, who embarks on the most deadly extraction of his career when he is enlisted to rescue the kidnapped son of an imprisoned international crime lord. It has been shot extensively in India, along with other places around the world.## It also stars Indian actors Pankaj Tripathi, Priyanshu Painyulli, and Rudraksh Jaiswal. The screenplay of the film is done by Joe Russo. The film is produced by Russo Brothers (Joe and Anthony Russo), Mike Larocca, Chris Hemsworth, Eric Gitter, and Peter Schwerin. "Extraction" will release on Netflix on April 24.## Talking about bonding with Hemsworth, Randeep said: "I grew up in Australia, where Chris is from. So, there was a lot of Australian way of talking and humor. Chris has a lot of energy. He is a sweet guy. I enjoyed working with him. I think this is one of his best and finest performances, which I'm sure people will be bowled over by."## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 22 (IANS) Actor Arjun Bijlani is overwhelmed with the positive response that his web series "State Of Siege: 26/11" amid the coronavirus outbreak in India.## "It's ironic how this has worked out so beautifully because first, we faced hurdles on the release date and when we actually released, coronavirus in India had only just broken out," Arjun said.## "It's been a surreal experience from then to now and I'd like to congratulate the entire team - the cast, crew and Abhimanyu Singh, Roopali Kadyan and our Director Matthew who have put a great piece together. This story had to be told and we're glad audiences are streaming in and positively receiving it, without them it wouldn't have been possible," he added.## Arjun along with Arjan Bajwa and Vivek Dahiya are seen as NSG Commandos in "State of Siege: 26/11". The series is based on Sandeep Unnithan's book "Black Tornado: The Three Sieges of Mumbai 26/11". The show tells untold stories and the different events that took place during the attacks of 26/11. The Contiloe Pictures' show recently became the "Most Watched Original Content (New)" on Zee5.## Talking about the success, Arjan said: "‘?State of Siege 26/11' is the top rated and most watched show on ZEE5 India!! When all of us are locked in our homes, demotivated, this news couldn't have come at a better time. Lots of love to everyone who made it possible and especially all my fans!"## To this, Abhimanyu Singh, Founder-CEO at Contiloe Pictures, added: "I am glad our effort to showcase the effort of the commandos in neutralizing the 26/11 terror attacks has been liked extensively."## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 22 (IANS) Actress Lara Dutta is excited to play a police officer for the first time in the comedy-action web series "Hundred", and says her character is trying hard to survive in a man's world.## In the series, Lara will be seen as ACP Saumya Shukla.## "The show is a fun and entertaining story of a dysfunctional Jodi and the chaos that ensues in their lives. The makers have carefully scripted the show to bring alive action and humor in a very entertaining way," Lara said.## "One of the many reasons I chose to do the show is because I have never played a cop on screen and my character is trying hard to survive in a man's world. She has very interesting dynamics with the people in her life and the more complex a situation, the more she thrives. She is nothing like me in real life," she added.## The Hotstar Specials show chronicles the misadventures of two contrasting women, set in the backdrop of Mumbai, its chawls and crime gangs. Being described as a masala entertainer, the show also stars Rinku Rajguru.## It is co-directed by Ruchi Narain, Ashutosh Shah, and Taher Shabbir. The cast includes names like Karan Wahi, Sudhanshu Pandey, Parmeet Sethi, Rohini Hattangidi, Arun Nalawde, and Makarand Deshpande. The eight-episode series will launch on April 25 on Disney+ Hotstar VIP.## Talking about making digital as well Hindi debut, "Sairat" star Rinku said: "It's been a roller-coaster ride making my digital debut with ‘Hundred' -- a show that has equal measures of comedy and crime. I portray the character of Netra Patil - a bindaas Marathi mulgi who is trying to live her life to the fullest. What drew me towards the show is the way this character has been molded - people will see a different side of her in each episode."## To this, Karan added: "The show will hopefully give people a hundred reasons to smile and uplift their mood in these unprecedented times - it's just what the doctor ordered!"## Narain feels the show "has all the elements of a family entertainer - action, drama, comedy, thrill and more!"## "It's a story where desperation leads two unlikely women - one bindass and the other badass - to team up as they chase their own personal goals," she said.## The show is about a terminally ill girl looking for thrills, who is hired to be an undercover agent by an ambitious female cop looking for a promotion. It will tell their story as they get together to accomplish their own goal in 100 days.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 21 (IANS) Actress Anushka Sharma has shared a short teaser of her upcoming web project.## The project is said to be a cop-based crime drama and although produced by her banner, Clean Slate Films, Anushka will not act in the show. The series is created by "NH10" writer Sudip Sharma and is said to be an investigative thriller that also acts as a scathing commentary of modern-day Indian society and politics.## The short clip the actress posted on Instagram gives an intense glimpse of the narrative.## "The countdown has begun. To change the laws of the land, worms have crept in, who will spread terror and shed blood. They will turn the world into a living hell," said the narrator in the clip.## The video hints that the project will be gory. At the end of the clip, out of the blooded screen appears a silhouette with a sharp blunt weapon -- suggesting that he will be the person behind the bloodshed.## "Sab badlega, samay, log aur lok (Everything is about to change - time, people and era)," Anushka wrote along the video.## She shared details about the new series, tagging screenplay writer Sudip Sharma and actors Jaideep Ahlawat, Neeraj Kabi and Gul Panag and Bengali actress Swastika Mukherjee among others.## Anushka is backing the project for Amazon Prime Video. Sometime back, the streaming platform had announced that Anushka is making a show for them.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 21 (IANS) Actress Sayani Gupta, who currently appears in the second season of "Four More Shots Please!", has recalled how, while shooting for the show, the cast once spent hours at a small cafe in Instanbul.## "We practically lived in this cafe, did our hair and make-up, changed outfits in the tiny loo, ate three meals and all kinds of juices, tea, coffee, desserts, cut birthday cakes and still loved shooting here through rain and sunshine with my girls! I will never forget this place in Istanbul. It's so beautiful how places become such an integral character of a show/film," Sayani shared.## Nupur Asthana directs the second season of the show that features Sayani along with Kirti Kulhari, Bani J. and Maanvi Gagroo in the lead roles.## "Four More Shots Please!" is streaming on Amazon Prime.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 20 (IANS) "Sairat" actress Rinku Rajguru is set to enter the Hindi film industry with the digital web series "Hundred".## In the show, she will play a character named Netra Patil, and her role is said to have action as well as the comic strains.## " 'Hundred' is my first ever digital show and it's been a great experience working. This medium is on boom right now and is one of the major sources of entertainment for most of us in these trying times," Rinku said.## The Hotstar Specials show also stars Lara Dutta and Karan Wahi.## Talking about the show, Rinku said: "It is a pleasure to be a part of this digital world, especially a platform like Hotstar that has such wide reach. What drew me towards the character of Netra is that people will see a new side in each episode."## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 18 (IANS) Actress Esha Gupta is excited about her digital debut with "REJCTX 2", and says he had fun shooting for the series.## "Our ‘REJCTX2' teaser looks fantastic! All the characters have done a fabulous job and I had a great time shooting with them and the entire crew," Esha said.## Esha will be playing the role of a Singaporean police officer. The second season of the series, directed and produced by Goldie Behl, promises to be high on action and drama. ZEE5 released "REJCTX2" teaser on Friday.## The teaser gives a glimpse of the "privileged rich kids of the Jefferson World School" from Esha's character's viewpoint.## "Goldie has been a delight to work with. My character is quite interesting. Even though I have played the role of a police officer before, this one is glamorous yet strong. I would like everyone to watch Season 1 on ZEE5 and catch up because Season 2 is coming soon. Can't wait to hear what everyone has to say about this one, god willing, the audience would give us as much love in this as they've given me all these years," she added.## The show will also feature Masi Wali, Anisha Victor, Saadhika Syal, Ayush Khurana, Ridhi Khakhar, Prabhneet Singh, Pooja Shetty and Tanvi Shinde besides Esha and Sumeet Vyas.## For more and latest news about Digital Media, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

New Delhi, April 18 (IANS) "Extraction" director, and popular Hollywood stunt coordinator Sam Hargrave feels cinema has space for either "super big-budget movies like superheroes" or smaller movies, saying that it doesn't leave much room for mid-budget action movies.## Talking about his upcoming Netflix action film, Hargrave told IANS: "It seems that there's not as much space in the cinemas for these kinds of mid-budget action movies. It seems that it's mostly the super big-budget superhero movies or the kind of the smaller stuff."## Hargrave is glad that his first movie will reach a wider audience through Netflix.## "Netflix has carved out space for itself for movies like these to exist, which I think is really great… Because there are a lot of great stories out there… These kinds of movies, now, have a place to be seen, be viewed and be enjoyed," he said.## With "Extraction", Hargrave is graduating from being Chris Evans' stunt double in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" for fight scenes and stunt coordinator in "Captain America: Civil War" to a feature director. Hargrave was an additional second unit director in "Avengers: Infinity War".## Hargrave continued: "I think that's a really great thing for audiences around the world. I'm happy that my first time directing (feature film) come out on a platform like Netflix where so many people can see this. It is a very unique experience and one that I'm looking forward to seeing how it all plays out when it comes out on April 24."## For his first film, Hargrave reunited with his "Avengers" family. He got "Thor" star Chris Hemsworth to lead the film, screenplay of which is done by Joe Russo. The film is produced by Russo Brothers (Joe and Anthony Russo), Mike Larocca, Chris Hemsworth, Eric Gitter, and Peter Schwerin.## Originally titled "Dhaka", the film also stars Indian actors Randeep Hooda, Pankaj Tripathi, Priyanshu Painyulli, and Rudraksha Jaiswal. It revolves around Tyler Rake (essayed by Hemsworth), a fearless, black market mercenary, who embarks on the most deadly extraction of his career when he is enlisted to rescue the kidnapped son of an imprisoned international crime lord. It has been shot extensively in India, along with other places around the world.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 16 (IANS) Actor Priyanshu Painyuli plays a Bangladeshi character in the upcoming digital film "Extraction", and he says the film's director Sam Hargrave did not want to take chances with the way his character spoke on the screen. A diction coach was hired for Priyanshu so that he got his Bangladeshi dialect right.## "The director, Sam Hargrave, was very particular that I speak in the local Bangladeshi language and look like one. So, I was given a dialogue coach from Dhaka named Raffael Ahsan when the preparation was on," Priyanshu said.## "To nail the part, I used to sit with Raffael every day for a few hours over video chat and the process continued over a couple of months. Also, the practice of learning languages comes from a Bollywood musical show I had previously been a part of. It traveled around the world and was called Taj Express, where I had spoken in the native languages of different countries like China, France, Russia and so on," he added.## For "Extraction", Priyanshu watched a couple of documentaries to see "behavioral patterns and demeanor".## "The dialogue coach was with me throughout the shoot. The prep and comfort that Sam and the crew gave me the confidence to play a role like this. I don't remember much of the Bangladeshi language except the lines I am speaking in the film but every learning comes to good use," he added.## Originally titled "Dhaka", the film also stars Indian actors Randeep Hooda, Pankaj Tripathi, and Rudraksha Jaiswal. It revolves around Tyler Rake (essayed by Chris Hemsworth), a fearless, black market mercenary, who embarks on the most deadly extraction of his career when he is enlisted to rescue the kidnapped son of an imprisoned international crime lord. Hemsworth shot for the Netflix film in India in 2018. In India, he shot in Ahmedabad and Mumbai. The film will release on Netflix on April 24.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 16 (IANS) India's first micro web series shot during the COVID-19 lockdown will be out soon. "Mardaani 2" actor Sunny Hinduja, who features in the series, says the project was challenging as well as fun to work on.## Titled "A Viral Wedding", the series had its pre-production, shooting and post-production work done entirely during the lockdown, with none of the individuals who are involved in the series stepping out of their homes.## The series is directed by Shreya Dhanwanthary, Sunny's co-star in the 2019 OTT show, "The Family Man". It tells the story of a social media influencer who refuses to cancel her wedding owing to the lockdown.## "We had our shares of fun on video and phone calls during the making where people were located in different states and cities. It also brought along shares of struggles with it. But I must admit it was harder than we anticipated, we had nobody to help us, no equipment, no setup, we had to become the lightmen, cinematographers, art directors, and everything," said Sunny, who is playing a primary part in the series," said Sunny.## "Taking care of the sound was another task, as people would be cooking so there were cooker whistles at random times, sometimes there were birds, crows making noise. But with all this, we still managed to complete the shoot in just a week. From start to finish everything was done during the lockdown period. It's a light-hearted attempt to make people smile during this time," he added.## On working with Shreya Dhanwanthary, he said: "When Shreya asked me, I said a yes without thinking. The idea in itself was so unique that it was difficult to say no. We even discussed various ideas about the character and worked together to come up with something real and very different from my own personality. But after reading the script which was penned in 24 hours, I was bewildered at how good it was."## "Even if it wasn't for the lockdown, I would have agreed to do it. The cast and crew are based in different cities and they are working at different timelines, knowing the kind of hard work put into it, feels like a humbling experience to be a part of a first-of-its-kind web series," added Sunny.## Besides Sunny and Shreya, the show also features Amol Parashar, Aishwarya Chaudhary, Aritro, Sharib Hashmi and Mohit Raina, among others.## The shoot is over and the team is giving final touches to a few episodes. The series is likely to come out later next week.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 15 (IANS) Jacqueline Fernandez's next release, the digital film "Mrs. Serial Killer", will be released on May 1.## "See you at the premiere on the 1st of May for 'Mrs. Serial Killer'," Jacqueline said in a video with co-star Manoj Bajpayee. The video was shared on the Instagram account of Netflix India, the OTT platform where the film will drop.## "Mrs. Serial Killer" is directed by Shirish Kunder and produced by his filmmaker wife Farah Khan. The thriller is about a wife, whose husband has been framed and imprisoned for serial murders. She needs to perform a murder exactly like the serial killer, to prove that her husband is innocent.## Manoj Bajpayee and Shirish Kunder earlier collaborated on the 2016 short film, psychological thriller "Kriti".## Stay tuned...