Ever since coming into existence in 2018, leading OTT platform ZEE5 has been consistently trying to come up with shows which have strong narratives and relatable characters. There is no denying the fact that the majority of ZEE5 Originals have hit the home run just because viewers related to some of the characters as they reminded them of themselves or they aspired to be like one of the characters.
Today, we bring to our readers some of the most popular characters from the universe of ZEE5 Originals. Feel free to find out which character matches your personality most.
Audaciously Neelam: Bamfaad
Cherishing the experience of modern love in the old streets of Allahabad, Neelam isn’t the one to follow the ‘Girls should be seen, not heard’ philosophy. She is the one who would dare to speak as much she would be seen creating memories in a city that wouldn’t encourage her to. Here is Neelam wanting to paint it pink with her reckless little adventures of love. After all, what should she be afraid of? She isn’t the one to be lost in the whirlwinds of the dark confines of conformist beliefs. While the world wants to portray masks and unrealistic images to be accepted, she has lowered the walls of apprehension to give it all to her unswerving love. Come what may, if you are this intrepid and would go any lengths to protect your love, then Neelam is the character who would be amazingly relatable to you. Explore the crazy love of Neelam and Naate in Bamfaad while it takes you on the relatable journey.
Unapologetically Meira: Mentalhood
Meira Kapoor is the quintessential small-town mom who has set her feet on the flowered grounds of South Bombay, shouldering a household with three kids and her husband whilst facing her own struggles with aspirations from which she is often made to choose, mostly ending up prioritising the former. It is yet delightful to regard that she doesn’t drown her identity in the deep sea of responsibilities and challenges. A product of an archetypal culture, where women are often looked down for not being the perfect mother, daughter, sister or wife, Meira isn’t afraid to commit her share of mistakes only to learn from them. So, if you are someone who swears by the audacity of being unapologetically yourself, then you would love the character of Karisma Kapoor in Mentalhood.
Passionately Monica: Code M
Monica isn’t someone who would play by the rules. She isn’t the one to take the easy route even when it seems to be the most convenient without exploring all the possibilities. She may not look like a team player at first, only to unveil that she likes things her way. While she is constantly tried to be brought down by everyone around her, she isn’t the one who can be tamed or unnerved. While you would find her to be the tough one, if you look deeper, she is actually also someone who can be the life of the party, perfectly balancing her roles. Passion is one word to describe Monica Mehra and if you are the type to go beyond the confines of the 9 to 5 driven by vehemence, then you would definitely relate to her character! Get inspired and thrilled with the gripping plot of Code M while you explore the various interesting aspects of Major Monica Mehra’s personality.
Enthusiastically Biji: Who’s Your Daddy?
While Soggy is busy impressing Mahek and his father is on a journey of surprising explorations, here is Biji breaking the stereotypes of being a typical grandmom! With a glass of whiskey in one hand and great enthusiasm in her heart, she is the one living the life and no one can dare to stop her. While we have had this image of their generation as being the disciplinarians and profusely brimming with sanskaars, you might have to rethink this! If you have that chilled out Punjabi biji who enjoys her rock music more than a pravachan, you should totally watch Who’s Your Daddy!
Ed Sheeran’s latest single, Sapphire, is out now, and it marks a new chapter in his musical journey. With the Indian rhythms, rich storytelling, and unexpected star power, Sapphire is a big cross-cultural leap for the British singer-songwriter.
A musical journey through India with Arijit and SRK in the spotlight
Bringing together the soulful voice of Arijit Singh, choreography by Bollywood icon Farah Khan, and a surprise appearance by Shah Rukh Khan, the song celebrates global connection. Recorded during Sheeran’s visit to India earlier this year, Sapphire captures the spirit of collaboration and joy. From a sitar-laced melody to Arijit's vocals, the track has the feel of a summer anthem rooted in shared sounds and stories.
Shah Rukh Khan makes a special appearance in the Sapphire music video
The music video, directed by Liam Pethick, traces Sheeran’s journey across India, starting on a rooftop at sunrise and winding through beaches, bustling markets, and backlot film sets. There is even a stop at A.R. Rahman’s music school, where he jams with young musicians. One standout moment was a studio session with Arijit and a bike ride around his hometown.
In his own words, Ed says, " Sapphire was the first track that really gave me direction for the album. I finished it in Goa with some amazing Indian musicians. Getting Arijit on board was the missing puzzle piece. We even recorded a Punjabi version that drops soon; it’s one of my favourites on the record."
Ed Sheeran and Arijit Singh in India
New album Play coming this September and live shows sell out instantly
Sapphire is part of Sheeran’s upcoming album Play, releasing on 12 September 2025. After closing the Mathematics era, this album sees him experimenting with sounds from India and Iran.
In other exciting news, Sheeran’s homecoming gigs in Ipswich, his first UK headline shows since 2023, sold out immediately. Taking place at Portman Road Stadium in July, the three-night run will feature guests like Tori Kelly, James Blunt, and Busted. A portion of ticket sales will go to The Live Trust, a new fund aimed at supporting grassroots music professionals.
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Badshah reacts to backlash over controversial Dua Lipa comment
Rapper Badshah found himself in hot water after a social media post about global pop sensation Dua Lipa. What started as a simple tweet, her name with a heart emoji, quickly spiralled into chaos when a fan asked if they were collaborating. Badshah's response? "I'd rather make babies with her bro."
Badshah's viral response to the comment under his tweet Twitter Screengrab
The backlash was instant. Critics called the remark objectifying and disrespectful, forcing Badshah to clarify. Trying to douse the fire, he later posted, "I think one of the most beautiful compliments you can give a woman you really admire is to wish for her to mother your children. Meri soch nahi, tumhari soch saamne aayi hai." But the clarification didn't sit well with many, who criticised him for doubling down rather than acknowledging the issue. "Since when did that qualify as a compliment?" one user wrote, while others called it tone-deaf and entitled.
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Honey Singh joins the fray with a sarcastic jab
As the debate raged on, Badshah's longtime rival, Honey Singh, couldn't resist chiming in. Reacting to the rapper's explanation on Instagram, Singh dropped a sarcastic "Genius 😂👏👏," clearly mocking the justification. Fans caught the dig immediately, with some laughing at the not-so-subtle jab between the two, who've had a rocky relationship for years.
Badshah had previously expressed a desire to end their feud, but Singh's latest comment suggests the tension isn't fading anytime soon. Meanwhile, the rapper continues to make headlines, whether for his dramatic weight loss, rumoured romance with Tara Sutaria, or this latest controversy. One thing's clear: Badshah knows how to stay in the spotlight, but not always for the right reasons.
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Anurag Kashyap reacts sharply to Ted Sarandos’ remarks on Sacred Games
Anurag Kashyap is known for being outspoken, and this weekend he made headlines again, this time taking aim at Netflix’s top boss Ted Sarandos. The filmmaker lashed out after Sarandos questioned the streaming platform’s early approach in India, particularly their decision to kick things off with Kashyap’s gritty crime drama Sacred Games in 2018.
During an interview on Nikhil Kamath’s podcast People by WTF, Sarandos said he may have chosen a more “populist” route if he could go back, admitting the series was perhaps too novel for the Indian market at the time. The comments didn’t sit well with Kashyap, who fired back on social media, calling Sarandos “the definition of dumb” and sarcastically suggesting the platform should’ve launched with traditional “saas-bahu” content instead.
Kashyap takes aim at Netflix’s shift to mass-market content
Kashyap’s reference wasn’t just casual; it came at a time when Netflix India has partnered with Balaji Telefilms, led by Ektaa Kapoor, best known for her highly successful daily soaps like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. The filmmaker’s post read: “He should have started with Saas Bahu… he would have done well. Which he is doing now. I always knew tech guys are dumb when it comes to storytelling, but @tedsarandos is the definition of dumb is what I didn’t know.”
The post sparked debate online, with even singer-actor Lisa Mishra chiming in to support Kashyap, saying that everything on OTT today is “derivative… specifically of Sacred Games.”
Kapoor, without naming Kashyap, responded via Instagram by accusing unnamed artists of being classist. She defended soap operas, claiming they gave a voice to Indian women and were even studied by international researchers. Her post ended with a call for inclusivity and “graciousness.”
Ekta Kapoor's story Instagram screengrab/ektakapoor
A clash of content ideologies in India’s OTT landscape
Sacred Games, co-directed by Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane and starring Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, was a landmark moment for Indian streaming content. Though it didn’t continue past two seasons, it opened doors for darker, more experimental storytelling in Indian OTT.
Sarandos’ comments appear to suggest that while Sacred Games earned critical acclaim, it may not have been the right commercial launchpad for Netflix in India. Kashyap, however, sees the platform’s current pivot toward formula-driven programming as a step backward.
Ted Sarandos talks about Sacred Games for Netflix IndiaGetty Images
This very public disagreement brings to light a bigger conversation in the entertainment industry, between art that challenges and content that simply sells.
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Fans react as Billie and Nat’s long-rumoured romance takes centre stage
Billie Eilish appears to have confirmed her latest romance in the most cinematic way possible, with a champagne-fuelled kiss on a sunny balcony in Venice. The singer was spotted with actor and musician Nat Wolff, and the intimate moment has fans convinced that the long-rumoured pair are now officially a couple.
In photos circulating online, the Chihiro singer and Wolff are seen locking lips while casually dressed in matching grey T-shirts, enjoying champagne and sunshine in one of the world’s most romantic cities.
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A long-rumoured connection comes into focus
While this is the first clear public display from the duo, Eilish and Wolff’s bond goes back a while. They worked together on her music video Chihiro, which she directed. Around the same time, Nat and his brother Alex opened for her during the North American leg of her Hit Me Hard and Soft tour in 2024.
Fans first started speculating about their closeness earlier this year when the two were seen leaving the iHeart Music Awards together and later on a night out in New York City. Although both had previously described their friendship as platonic, there seemed to be more under the surface.
Fans react as Billie and Nat’s long-rumoured romance takes centre stageGetty Images
In past interviews, Wolff described their connection as one of shared understanding, particularly around living with Tourette syndrome, a condition both have spoken about. “It’s rare to find people you don’t have to explain yourself to,” Wolff once shared, adding that he and Eilish could just “be” around each other.
Keeping it private until now
Eilish has openly said she regrets how much she’s shared about her personal life in the past. In an interview, she stated she wanted to keep her dating life and sexuality out of the spotlight going forward.
A kiss in Italy sparks fresh buzz around Billie Eilish’s love lifeGetty Images
“I wish no one knew anything about my dating life,” she said. “And I’m never talking about who I’m dating ever again.”
Still, their recent public outing in Venice may signal a quiet shift in that. Whether or not they’ll speak out, the photos seem to say plenty.
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The cast of Maybe Happy Ending celebrates their big night at the Tony Awards
South Korea just scored a historic milestone at the Tony Awards, with the musical Maybe Happy Ending bagging six trophies, including Best Musical and Best Lead Actor. The show, centred on two ageing helper robots living on the edge of Seoul, left the awards night buzzing. Korean entertainment, long a force in film, television, and music, is now making serious inroads into Western theatre too.
From Seoul to Broadway: A story born in two languages
Maybe Happy Ending wasn’t always destined for the bright lights of Broadway. It first opened in a small Seoul theatre in 2016, a result of a local arts foundation’s programme. Co-created by South Korean lyricist Hue Park and American composer Will Aronson, the story explores loneliness, connection, and memory through the eyes of obsolete robots. Written in both Korean and English, the piece has been reimagined several times since its debut.
Darren Criss, known to many as a Glee star, played Oliver and took home his first Tony for the role. His co-star Helen J Shen portrayed Claire, the other robot. Together, they brought the emotional weight to a futuristic love story that’s more human than it sounds.
While the robots explore feelings in a near-future Seoul, the show managed to preserve distinct Korean elements like Jeju Island and the traditional plant pot hwabun on the Broadway stage, something fans celebrated online.
A cultural shift, decades in the making
With this win, South Korea joins the rare club of nations with major victories across all four major American entertainment awards, including the Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, and now Tonys. From Parasite to Squid Game, and now Maybe Happy Ending, Korean creators are no longer breaking into the global scene, they’re leading it.
The success also validates years of quiet work in South Korea’s theatre scene. Original musicals like Marie Curie and The Great Gatsby have made appearances in the West End and on Broadway, but Maybe Happy Ending marks the first time a Korean musical has truly swept the Tonys.
As one critic noted, more than awards, it’s about shifting global perspectives. Korean musicals are no longer export hopefuls. They’re now centre stage.