National, 24th October, 2024: Hungama, India’s leading digital entertainment platform, launches its latest Hindi original series this Diwali, Checkmate, a gripping crime-suspense drama that promises to captivate audiences with its intense narrative and edge-of-your-seat thrills. Featuring a stellar cast including Nyra Banerjee, alongside Shaleen Malhotra, Rohit Khandelwal, Rahul Jagtap, and Afreen Alvi, the show delivers a perfect blend of psychological tension, emotional depth, and jaw-dropping plot twists.
Checkmate follows the story of a mild-mannered housewife, portrayed by Nyra Banerjee, who was once rescued from a human trafficking ring by a morally ambiguous police officer, whom she eventually marries. Trapped in a life of submission and silence, her world shatters when she discovers her husband’s deadly plot to have her murdered. In a frantic act of self-defence, she kills him, only to return home and find her life turned upside down. A man she doesn’t recognize claims to be her husband, and her journey to uncover the truth becomes a dangerous game of survival.
Neeraj Roy, Founder & Managing Director, Hungama Digital Media, commented on the launch, saying “Checkmate is one of our major releases. We’re excited to launch it during Diwali, a time when families and friends come together. We aim to offer engaging content and with its strong storyline and suspense, we believe Checkmate will keep audiences hooked.”
Saket Yadav, Director of Checkmate, expressed his excitement for the project, stating, “The psychological depth and suspense at the heart of Checkmate have made it an exceptional endeavor to direct. The series strikes a compelling balance between character-driven storytelling and an ever-evolving, suspenseful narrative. Each character is intricately developed, with layered emotions, concealed motives, and dark secrets, which keeps the storyline gripping and unpredictable. Unveiling these complexities with each episode has been a rewarding experience, and I am immensely proud of the powerful performances that bring this multifaceted story to life.”
Nyra Banerjee, speaking about her role, said, “I am electrified to be a part of Checkmate and take on a role that carries such depth and emotional intensity. After venturing into reality TV shows with Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 13 and Bigg Boss, I was eager for a character that would truly challenge me as an actor. I play a woman caught between her haunting past and a terrifying present, where survival hinges on every decision. This role has allowed me to push my boundaries and showcase a completely different side of myself that’s intense, raw, and emotionally powerful. I can’t wait for the audience to experience this engrossing story.”
Shaleen Malhotra, who plays a crucial role in the series, added, “‘Checkmate’ is the kind of project every actor dreams of being part of– its intriguing narrative, multi-dimensional characters, and suspense-filled scenes make it truly fascinating. Working alongside such a talented cast and crew has been an enriching experience. I am eager for audiences to get immersed in this riveting world of deception and betrayal.”
The series will be available for streaming on Hungama’s platform and across various partner platforms, ensuring broad reach to audiences during the festive season. Platforms include Hungama on Tata Play Binge, Watcho, BSNL, PlayboxTV, RailWire Broadband, Alliance Broadband, Meghbela Broadband, ACT Fibernet, Vi Movies & TV and Airtel Xstream Play