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  • The Night Manager returns with new secrets, new spies and old scars

    The Night Manager returns with new secrets, new spies and old scars

    MUMBAI: The night is getting darker, and Jonathan Pine is back to face the ghosts he thought he’d buried. Prime Video has announced that the highly anticipated Season Two of The Night Manager will premiere on Sunday, 11 January 2026, with the first three episodes dropping together, followed by a weekly rollout until 1 February 2026. The six-part series will stream exclusively on Prime Video worldwide (excluding the UK) and on BBC and BBC iPlayer in the UK.

    Eight years after its explosive Season One finale, the Emmy, Golden Globe and BAFTA-winning spy drama returns more dangerous, more deceptive, and just as addictive. Tom Hiddleston reprises his Golden Globe-winning role as the enigmatic former spy Jonathan Pine, who now lives under the alias Alex Goodwin. But when the past comes knocking in the form of a rogue mercenary and a global conspiracy, Pine is pulled back into the shadowy world he once escaped.

    This time, he’s not alone. Olivia Colman returns as the steadfast intelligence officer Angela Burr, while Diego Calva (Babylon, Narcos: Mexico) and Camila Morrone (Daisy Jones & The Six) join the cast as new players in Pine’s perilous new mission. The cast also includes Indira Varma, Paul Chahidi, and Hayley Squires, alongside returning favourites Alistair Petrie, Douglas Hodge, Michael Nardone, and Noah Jupe.

    Filmed across the UK, Spain, Colombia, and France, the new season raises the stakes with a global plot that spans continents and conspiracies. Pine, now a low-level MI6 officer running a quiet surveillance unit, is thrust into action after a fateful encounter with Colombian businessman Teddy Dos Santos (Calva) unravels a deadly arms network. Partnering with businesswoman Roxana Bolaños (Morrone), Pine must navigate treacherous alliances and buried betrayals to expose a plot designed to destabilise an entire nation.

    Created and executive produced by David Farr, and directed by BAFTA-winner Georgi Banks-Davies (I Hate Suzie, Paper Girls), the second season is once again based on the characters from John le Carré’s novel. It’s produced by The Ink Factory, in association with Character 7, Demarest Films, 127 Wall, and Spanish co-producer Nostromo Pictures.

    Executive producers include Stephen Garrett, Simon and Stephen Cornwell, Michele Wolkoff, Adrián Guerra, Hugh Laurie, and Tom Hiddleston himself. With such a powerhouse creative team, The Night Manager promises another elegant blend of espionage, emotion, and edge-of-your-seat tension.

    Season One, which premiered in 2016, was lauded for its razor-sharp writing, lush cinematography, and powerhouse performances bagging 11 BAFTA nominations, three Golden Globes, and critical acclaim worldwide. Season Two now picks up the story eight years later, delving deeper into Pine’s fractured psyche and the blurred lines between loyalty, deception, and survival.

    With betrayal lurking in every shadow and old enemies reborn, The Night Manager returns not just as a spy thriller, but as a study in reinvention of both its hero and the genre itself. After all, in the world of espionage, the night never truly ends; it only gets darker.

  • Tisca Chopra’s Saali Mohabbat finds a home on ZEE5

    Tisca Chopra’s Saali Mohabbat finds a home on ZEE5

    MUMBAI: Tisca Chopra is ready to step behind the camera with her directorial debut feature, Saali Mohabbat, a ZEE5 Original set to premiere later this year. Featuring Radhika Apte, Divyenndu Sharma, and Anurag Kashyap in lead roles, the film is produced by Jio Studios and Manish Malhotra’s Stage5 Production, marking the celebrated designer’s first venture into digital cinema.

    After an acclaimed run at film festivals including IFFI and the Chicago South Asian Film Festival, Saali Mohabbat is all set for its digital debut on ZEE5. Billed as a genre-bending ‘how-dunnit’, the story follows Smita (Radhika Apte), a small-town housewife whose seemingly ordinary life spirals into a dark maze of deceit, desire, and moral conflict. What begins as a domestic drama slowly unfolds into a chilling tale of love, betrayal, and blurred truths.

    Tisca Chopra, known for her powerful on-screen performances, brings a sharp and empathetic gaze to her first feature as director. “With Saali Mohabbat, I wanted to tell a story that’s intimate yet unsettling, one that explores the invisible tensions in relationships and the ways love can morph into something darker,” she said. “Directing this film has been both terrifying and liberating, and I’m deeply grateful to my collaborators for trusting my vision.”

    Producer Manish Malhotra described the project as a deeply personal one. “At Stage5, we back stories that are original in thought and strong in craft. Saali Mohabbat is layered and quietly powerful, exploring silence, choices, and consequence. Every frame reflects the team’s shared commitment to storytelling with purpose and soul,” he said.

    Jio Studios president Jyoti Deshpande added, “We are proud to support bold voices like Tisca’s and to collaborate with creative forces such as Manish Malhotra. Saali Mohabbat is a perfect blend of emotional depth and cinematic finesse, a story that will resonate deeply with audiences.”

    ZEE5 business head Hindi Kaveri Das said, “We’re thrilled to bring Saali Mohabbat to ZEE5 viewers. It’s not just a thriller, but a deeply human story that challenges conventions and keeps you hooked till the very end.”

    With its blend of psychological intrigue, striking performances, and Tisca Chopra’s assured direction, Saali Mohabbat promises to be one of this year’s most compelling digital premieres, a love story that cuts deep and lingers long after the credits roll.
     

  • The Family Man returns: Srikant now the hunted

    The Family Man returns: Srikant now the hunted

    MUMBAI: Looks like Srikant Tiwari just made India’s most-wanted list. Prime Video has unveiled the high-voltage trailer for The Family Man Season 3, the beloved spy-thriller created by Raj & DK, which premieres globally on November 21.

    This time, the tables have turned. The once calm and composed undercover agent, played by Manoj Bajpayee, is now on the run, not only from new foes Rukma (Jaideep Ahlawat) and Meera (Nimrat Kaur), but also from TASC, his very own intelligence unit. The trailer teases an intense cat-and-mouse chase as Srikant’s double life crumbles, blurring the lines between family and duty.

    The new season promises everything fans love about The Family Man, razor-sharp wit, breathtaking action, emotional turmoil, and a dose of desi espionage swagger. Alongside Bajpayee, the stellar returning cast includes Priyamani, Sharib Hashmi, Shreya Dhanwanthary, Ashlesha Thakur, Vedant Sinha, and Gul Panag.

    Creators Raj & DK shared, “Season 3 takes Srikant’s professional and personal chaos to a whole new level. With Jaideep and Nimrat joining the universe as formidable new adversaries, this season pushes him to his absolute limits.”

    Echoing the excitement, Manoj Bajpayee said, “For years, fans have asked me when Srikant Tiwari is coming back, and now the wait is over. This season is bigger, bolder, and far more dangerous. Srikant is cornered like never before.”

    New entrants Jaideep Ahlawat and Nimrat Kaur called the experience “thrilling and surreal,” with Nimrat describing The Family Man as “a dream come true” for any actor.

    Directed by Raj & DK, with Suman Kumar and Tusshar Seyth joining the director’s chair, the new season of The Family Man will stream in over 240 countries and territories on Prime Video. So, buckle up, India’s favourite spy is back, but this time, the hunter has become the hunted.

  • Prime Video adds south cinema blockbuster hub

    Prime Video adds south cinema blockbuster hub

    MUMBAI: The streaming giant has launched AP International South Cinema as its newest add-on subscription, giving fans a dedicated space to enjoy some of Tamil and Malayalam cinema’s most celebrated films, from blockbusters to cult favourites, for just Rs 399 a year.

    The new add-on brings together an impressive library of acclaimed titles, including Tamil gems like Sivakasi, 7/G Rainbow Colony, Pudhupettai, and Ghilli, alongside Malayalam hits such as King Liar, Puthiya Niyamam, and Annayum Rasoolum. The collection spans genres and generations, offering viewers a rich taste of South India’s storytelling brilliance.

    Announcing the launch, Prime Video Ads India head of marketplace (add-on subscriptions and movie rentals) Gaurav Bhasin said, “We’re delighted to bring AP International South Cinema to Prime Video’s growing local language line-up. This collaboration celebrates India’s diverse filmmaking heritage and strengthens our mission to make Prime Video a one-stop destination for entertainment.”

    AP International managing director Sanjay Wadhwa added, “True cinema transcends language and time. Through this partnership, we’re proud to share the soul of Tamil and Malayalam storytelling with audiences everywhere, celebrating the past while shaping the future.”

    With this addition, Prime Video continues to expand its video entertainment marketplace, offering seamless access to premium content across multiple OTT services. Subscribers can enjoy easy billing, unified search, personalised recommendations, and offline viewing, all within the familiar Prime Video experience.

    For fans of South Indian cinema, it’s a blockbuster upgrade, no language barriers, no extra apps, just great films at the click of a button.

     

  • Australia forces Netflix and Disney+ to bankroll local content

    Australia forces Netflix and Disney+ to bankroll local content

    MUMBAI: Australia has stopped asking nicely. The government will introduce legislation this week forcing streaming platforms to invest in Australian drama, children’s shows, documentaries and educational content—or face the consequences.

    Any service with more than a  million Australian subscribers—Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime and others—must commit at least 10 per cent of their local expenditure, or 7.5 per cent of revenue, to homegrown productions. It’s a quota system that puts streamers on par with free-to-air and pay television, which have long faced similar obligations.

    The rules were meant to arrive in July last year but got tangled in trade politics. Concerns about how they would mesh with Australia’s free trade agreement with America led to a pause. The government blamed difficulty negotiating with Washington during an election year. After Donald Trump’s victory, questions swirled about whether the quotas could trigger retaliatory tariffs.

    With both elections now behind them and the US-Australia relationship stable, Canberra has pushed ahead. Tony Burke, arts minister, and Anika Wells, communications minister, framed the move as a jobs safeguard for an industry increasingly threatened by artificial intelligence.

    “Since their introduction in Australia, streaming services have created some extraordinary shows,” Burke said. “This obligation will ensure that those stories—our stories—continue to be made.”

    Wells pointed to Bluey, the children’s programme that became a global phenomenon, as proof of concept. Australian content connects people with “who we are” and shares that with the world, she said.
    The government hasn’t explained how it will calculate the two quota options—10 per cent of expenditure or 7.5 per cent of revenue—leaving room for future friction with the platforms.

    The Australian model raises an obvious question: could India impose similar quotas? While Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Lionsgate Play are commissioning o9r acquiring local content, it’s unclear whether they’re hitting anything close to a 10 per cent threshold. Indian regulators have repeatedly failed to enforce local quotas on television channels, making it unlikely they’ll succeed with streamers.

    But the precedent matters. If Australia can strong-arm global platforms into funding local productions without sparking a trade war, other markets may feel emboldened to try. For now, India’s streaming landscape remains a free-for-all—heavy on local content by choice, light on obligation by design. Whether that changes depends less on regulatory ambition than political will. And in India, that’s always been in short supply.

  • Rise and Fall rises to the top on Amazon MX Player

    Rise and Fall rises to the top on Amazon MX Player

    MUMBAI: Talk about a reality check! Rise and Fall, Amazon MX Player’s latest digital blockbuster, has done everything but fall. The show has stormed into the record books as the most-watched series ever on the platform, amassing over half a billion views and holding its ground in India’s top OTT reality charts for six straight weeks.

    Produced by Banijay Asia, Rise and Fall threw 15 familiar faces including Pawan Singh, Dhanashree Verma, Kubbra Sait, and Kiku Sharda into a 42-day showdown of power, ambition, and strategy. Hosted by Ashneer Grover, the series saw audiences cast more than 11 million votes before crowning Arjun Bijlani as the ultimate winner.

    But the show’s real victory played out online, sparking over 10 billion social media views and a flood of memes, reactions, and fan edits. Hindi cinema and cricket stars from John Abraham to Ishan Kishan jumped on the bandwagon, amplifying the frenzy and turning the series into a cultural talking point.

    In a first-of-its-kind partnership, Rise and Fall aired daily on both Amazon MX Player and Sony Entertainment Television, bridging the gap between traditional TV and digital fandom. The result? Record-breaking engagement and a prime showcase for brands like Lux Cozi, Haier, and McDowell’s, which integrated into the narrative through clever placements and sponsorships.

    “The success and cultural impact of Rise and Fall have been phenomenal,” said Amazon MX Player director and head Karan Bedi. “It’s proof that entertainment and brand storytelling can converge powerfully to capture the nation’s imagination.”

    Banijay Asia founder and group CEO Deepak Dhar added, “This show redefined the scale and storytelling potential of Indian reality television. We wanted to blend ambition, strategy, and emotion in a format that feels fresh and globally resonant, and audiences have embraced it wholeheartedly.”

    Licensed through All3Media International and originally created by Studio Lambert in the UK, Rise and Fall has cemented itself as more than just another reality show, it’s a pop-culture phenomenon and a symbol of India’s evolving entertainment landscape.

  • Lionsgate roars louder as Hollywood meets Hyderabad in 2026

    Lionsgate roars louder as Hollywood meets Hyderabad in 2026

    MUMBAI: Hollywood’s roaring lion just found its desi accent. Lionsgate Play, the premium streaming platform that’s redefined Hollywood for Indian screens, is entering 2026 with a bang and a hundred more. The platform has announced a record-breaking slate of 100 plus premieres across languages, cementing its claim as India’s “Home for Action” while widening its cinematic jungle to embrace regional storytelling.

    In just five years, Lionsgate Play has grown from a niche Hollywood service into a full-blown entertainment powerhouse now reaching over 40 million viewers through a vast distribution network that stretches from metros to mini-screens. Its latest evolution? A blend of blockbuster swagger and local soul.

    2025 was the turning point. With audiences increasingly vibing to Southern storytelling, Lionsgate Play turned its camera beyond Los Angeles, premiering Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam titles like Dakshina, Eleven, Soothravakyam, and Racharikam. The result was pure box-office streaming energy, a 40 per cent surge in consumption, even as the global industry reeled from the Hollywood strikes of 2024.

    And now, 2026 promises an even bolder leap. The platform’s upcoming lineup is stacked like never before, a global-meets-local buffet of spectacle and storytelling.

    The Hollywood big guns are back: From Gerard Butler’s Greenland: Migration to Angelina Jolie’s Kiss of the Spider Woman, and from Mutiny to The Rivals of Amziah King, the slate packs serious star wattage with the likes of Jason Statham, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Alba, and Matthew McConaughey.

    The South stays strong: Building on its regional momentum, Lionsgate Play is rolling out 25 plus Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada titles, ensuring that cinematic flavour flows from both sides of the equator.

    The Hindi turn: The streamer is also going desi in Delhi expanding into Hindi originals with a curated mix of crime thrillers, horror comedies, and game shows, each designed to tap India’s ever-evolving taste for drama with a twist.

    And the classics never fade: In between the new, Lionsgate Play is doubling down on its cult collection. Think Sherlock meets Spider-Man, Rambo joins Men in Black, and Charlie Chaplin shares screen space with Jumanji and Anaconda. A line-up tailor-made for every mood, every generation.

    “Our journey so far has been defined by bold storytelling and a deep understanding of what today’s audience seeks quality, variety, and authenticity,” said Lionsgate Play Asia president Rohit Jain. “2026 marks a turning point. We’re scaling our stories, deepening regional connections, and making premium global entertainment more inclusive and accessible than ever before.”

    With its expanding footprint and its eye firmly on cultural inclusivity, Lionsgate Play is no longer just Hollywood’s Indian outpost, it’s a full-fledged entertainment ecosystem where Los Angeles meets Lucknow, and where cinematic worlds collide, connect, and click ‘Play’.

  • Story TV tests love with Sach Ya Kalesh

    Story TV tests love with Sach Ya Kalesh

    MUMBAI: Now that’s what you call a match made in microdrama heaven! Story TV, India’s leading microdrama platform from the Eloelo Group, is set to shake up digital entertainment with Sach Ya Kalesh, the country’s first-ever microdrama reality show.

    Hosted by the nation’s favourite matchmaker, Sima Taparia, the show dives headfirst into the messy, magical world of modern relationships. Featuring nine real-life couples, each episode will see them face a lie detector test that puts their love, and their honesty, to the ultimate test. The tagline says it all, Har relationship ka asli test.

    Shot in a crisp vertical format designed for mobile-first viewers, the show blends the drama of reality TV with the bite-sized fun of micro content. Expect Sima ji’s trademark sass, awkward confessions, emotional meltdowns, and maybe even a few breakups, all in real time.

    “Sach Ya Kalesh marks a new chapter for India’s entertainment industry,” said  Story TV founder and CEO Saurabh Pandey. “It’s raw, relatable and designed for today’s spontaneous audiences. This is TV 2.0, right in the palm of your hand.”

    Sima Taparia, thrilled about her new hosting role, added, “Modern love is complicated. This show is honest, emotional and full of surprises. What you see on screen is real, the love, the fights, and the chaos.”

    Produced by Aarambh Entertainment, Sach Ya Kalesh will drop new episodes daily starting 2nd November exclusively on the Story TV app.

    With this launch, Story TV continues to lead the microdrama revolution, aiming to release over 800 titles and onboard 100 million users in the next year. And if Sach Ya Kalesh is any hint, drama and love, just found a brand-new format to thrive in.

  • Haryana’s Biggest Web Series “MahaPunarjanma” By Sri Adhikari Brothers to Premiere on STAGE App This Diwali

    Haryana’s Biggest Web Series “MahaPunarjanma” By Sri Adhikari Brothers to Premiere on STAGE App This Diwali

    MUMBAI: Two new episodes will be released every Friday. The web series spans 26 episodes. For the first time, a major Mumbai production house (Sri Adhikari Brothers) is creating a web series for Haryana.

    The web series is being shot in Bhiwani, featuring prominent artists from not only Haryana but also Mumbai. Haryana has never seen a major 26-episode web series before. Viewers are eagerly awaiting the web series. 

    The web series will depict the secrets of past lives, unfulfilled love, and the story of reincarnation.

    Whenever reincarnation is discussed, it’s always said, “Every birth leaves a secret.” The release date of Haryana’s biggest web series, which explores similar secrets and stories behind past lives, has been announced. For quite some time, viewers have been waiting for the release date of this web series, based on the concept of reincarnation. Stage App has announced the release dates for this web series on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. 

    The 26-episode web series “Mahapunarjanma…Janamon Ki Mahagaatha” is releasing on October 31st. This is the first time in Haryana that a web series will be released in a weekly episodic format. The first two episodes of the web series will be released on October 31st, followed by two new episodes every Friday. This web series will keep viewers engaged for 13 weeks. The series has been produced for Stage App by the Sri Adhikari Brothers, and its creators are Kailash Adhikari and Ravi Adhikari. They have delivered dozens of successful shows on Indian television and the OTT world and are now taking Haryanvi content to new heights. November 1st is Haryana Day and also the foundation day of Stage App. Therefore, starting October 31st, just a day before, Stage App has announced a big gift for its Haryana viewers in the form of this web series.

    Story: When birth, karma, and love collide:

    ‘Maha-Punarjanma’ is a story that explores the mysteries of unfulfilled love, karma, and reincarnation from a new perspective. It also explores an unfulfilled love that a lover has reincarnated to fulfill. It remains to be seen whether his previous lover will recognize him. Will society accept this young woman’s love for this ten-year-old boy after a new birth? The story begins with Ajayveer, a man whose life is bound by the karma of his past life. Surrounding him are Mohini, a woman bound by love beyond the boundaries of time, and Guruji, the guardian of the mysteries of karma and birth. Each episode opens the door to a new mystery—sometimes the unfulfilled love of a lifetime, sometimes the unfulfilled account of a deed, and sometimes the search for a soul seeking salvation but unable to break free. This web series is a completely new experience for the people of Haryana.

    A Haryanvi Story on a Cinematic Scale:

    ‘Maha-Punarjanma’ is a game-changing piece of content for a Haryanvi web series. Its visuals, music, and production values ​​are at par with Bollywood and national OTT standards. Shooting is underway in Bhiwani district, Haryana, where the scenes showcase a balanced blend of authentic village soil, folk culture, and modern reality. Crowds of people are flocking to watch the filming in Bhiwani daily, and people are thoroughly enjoying the experience. This is also the first time in Haryana that a web series will be shot simultaneously. The story’s blend of mystery and emotion makes it not just a web series, but an epic saga that transcends generations, yet remains deeply connected to the heart.

    This web series will change the direction of content in Haryana: 

    Producers Web series producers Kailash Adhikari and Ravi Adhikari say, “Maha-Punarjanma isn’t just a story of reincarnation; it’s a depiction of the incomplete journey of a human soul, its karma, and its love. Haryanvi stories have such depth that they deserve to be told on a larger scale, and STAGE App has provided that platform. Our aim is to provide Haryanavi audiences with the same experience as found on national OTT platforms: stunning visuals, a deep story, and heartfelt music. Maha-Punarjanma will prove to be a turning point in Haryana’s OTT journey.”

    STAGE App is the largest home for Haryana’s stories:

    STAGE App, India’s first dialect-based OTT platform, has always brought the stories, art, and culture rooted in Haryana to the digital world. ‘Maha-Punarjanma‘ is the next major step in STAGE’s vision to offer global-quality content in the local language. According to the STAGE App team, “We believe that the stories of Haryana are not just about Haryanvis, they are stories of the soul of India. ‘Maha-Punarjanma‘ is a journey that weaves together emotion, action, and destiny.” 
     

  • JioHotstar’s AI Mahabharat breaks records

    JioHotstar’s AI Mahabharat breaks records

    MUMBAI: JioHotstar has stormed into a new era of digital entertainment with the record-breaking debut of Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh, India’s first AI-powered entertainment series.

    The show racked up over 6.5 million video views on launch day, achieving a 2.1 times higher reach than the platform average, the biggest opening for a long-running series on JioHotstar to date.

    With AI woven into its creative process, the series reimagines storytelling at scale, proving that technology can enhance human imagination rather than replace it.

    The platform said the milestone marks a blueprint for the future of AI-driven entertainment, where machine intelligence meets artistic vision to create richer, more immersive narratives.

    JioHotstar’s success with Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh underscores its ambition to lead India’s entertainment evolution, blending innovation, tradition, and technology in equal measure.