discovery+ announces the premiere of Love Kills: Madhumita Shukla Hatyakand

discovery+ has announced its next investigative thriller, a genre that it is famed for, that will feature the story surrounding the death of a poetess who shook the dark underbelly of India's prominent political circles. The assassination of the young orator and poetess Madhumita Shukla was one of the most talked about cases in India during the early 2000’s. discovery+, the definitive non-fiction, real-life streaming platform, is looked upon by audiences for its stellar slate of unconventional docuseries spanning across genres. From showcasing detailed investigations to exposing undiscovered facts, the shows on the platform acquaint viewers with surrounding incidents of true crime. On May 9, 2003, a 24-year-old pregnant woman was murdered within the four walls of her home in Lucknow. The discovery+ original, ‘Love Kills – Madhumita Shukla Hatyakand’ from Times Chronicle, is slated to release on February 9. It is the tale of Madhumita Shukla, a young veer-ras poetess, her lover Amarmani Tripathi, an MLA and cabinet minister of the U.P government, and his wife Madhumani Tripathi, who believed the murder was the only way out to save her family.

No one could have imagined that the daylight killing would unpack a complex web of deception, lies, political intrigue, and cover-ups. With unprecedented access to those closest to the story, the series unravels the numerous layers of a sensational crime where events and the theatre of passion, politics, and human frailties play out. What started as a passionate love affair ended in bloodshed and a web of lies. One of the nation's most influential governments was brought to its knees by a little girl from humble beginnings. Entangled in the circle of deceit is Nidhi Shukla, who waged a fierce legal battle to avenge the death of her sister, a 12-year-old boy- the only witness to the crime scene, and a team of investigating officers who took it upon themselves to decode the case that left everyone perplexed.

“discovery+ has always been synonymous with compelling stories. With the galore of love that has been poured on us from a very dedicated fanbase and keeping authenticity at the core of our offerings, 'Love Kills: Madhumita Shukla Hatyakand’ is yet another step towards building and establishing the platform in this genre and bringing alive a story with multiple layers. We are certain of keeping our viewers on the edge of their seats with this series, built on the back of hard-hitting firsthand accounts from the family members, police officers and journalists.”  Sai Abishek, Head of Factual and Lifestyle Cluster- South Asia, Warner Bros. Discovery.

Mihir Bhatt Business Head, Times Influence & Managing Editor, Times Network said, “Sharply distinguishing itself with real and gripping stories, Times Chronicle has successfully carved a niche in the original infotainment content space. Expanding our offering to a wider spectrum of audiences, we are delighted to collaborate with discovery+ to launch ‘Love Kills: Madhumita Shukla Hatyakand’. The unflinching series offers viewers authentic and compelling insights into the case using hard-hitting first-person testimonies and creative production techniques. I am confident that the intriguing narrative will garner instant viewer interest.”

Director Deepak Chaturvedi said: “Such a thorough and multifaceted investigation into the Madhumita Shukla murder case would not have been possible without the trust and support of each person that has contributed to the series. We have tried our best to present all sides of the case while bringing the truth to the surface. It is always a challenge when you go searching for the truth beyond the depths of deeply entrenched and often well-rehearsed positions in a sensational case such as this. You are walking on a razor's edge and cut yourself often! ‘Love Kills: Madhumita Shukla Hatyakand’ has been a challenge and a thrilling ride, and I am very proud of what our team has created. Now it is over to the viewer.``

Love Kills: Madhumita Shukla Hatyakand from Times Chronicle will premiere on discovery+ India from February 9 and is available to stream in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, English, Bengali, Kannada, and Malayalam.