ITV

Category: iWorld

  • Warner Music expands deal with Jetsynthesys’ Global Music Junction

    Warner Music expands deal with Jetsynthesys’ Global Music Junction

    Mumbai: Warner Music India has expanded its partnership with Global Music Junction (GMJ), the music and entertainment subsidiary of JetSynthesys. The companies struck a distribution deal in 2021, but this new agreement sees Warner Music make a strategic investment in GMJ, giving it a seat on the board. The move will establish Warner Music India to become the largest player in the central Indian music market.

    GMJ is the dominant force in the Bhojpuri, Haryanvi, Oriya, Kannada, and Gujarati language markets and has recently achieved exponential growth in the latter two. Bhojpuri is the fastest-growing language in India, and this move makes Warner Music the largest player in its music market. GMJ is committed to empower artists and labels through services including content creation, events management, innovative distribution, marketing solutions, technical analytics, and legal expertise.  

    The company has built an ecosystem that involves more than 100 partners, over 250 million subscribers, serving up more than 100 billion minutes of entertainment annually in more than 130,000 pieces of audio-visual music content.

    Its partners include renowned figures such as Bhojpuri superstars Khesari lal Yadav, Pawan Singh, Haryanvi superstars Renuka, Sapna Chaudhary and Sahil Sandhu, Odiya stars Malay Mishra and Ira Mohanty along with legends from the industry such as Sonu Nigam, Salim Merchant, Shaan, and Sulaiman Merchant.

    GMJ also collaborates with training and production partners such as the top online music learning platform Artium Academy, Rajasthan-based movie production company Hariprem Films and music directors Sahil Sandhu (Western Beats, Haryana) and Malay Mishra (Basanta Studios, Orissa).

    In the recent past, GMJ has achieved significant milestones with its content such as “Jale 2”, by Haryanvi superstar Sapna Choudhary, becoming one of the fastest music video to reach more than 300 million views on YouTube and more than 15 million Instagram Reels in India in 90 days. The video for “Sent Gamkauwa” by Shivani Singh accumulated more than 700 million YouTube views in just six months.

    Warner Music president, emerging markets Alfonso Perez Soto said, “This is a significant milestone in the expansion of our presence across India. Working with the amazing team at GMJ last year not only strengthened our partnership but enabled us to better support artists from the central regions of India, bringing them the best artistic support that any company can provide, and helping them connect with fans across the country and around the world. India is one of the most exciting music markets in the world and with GMJ as a partner we’re right at the heart of it.”

    JetSynthesys CEO and founder Rajan Navani added, “Our journey with Warner Music has been remarkable, highlighted by some successful collaborations. The indigenous languages in which we operate, such as the Bhojpuri, Haryanvi, Oriya, Kannada and Gujarati language markets in India, have seen incredible growth in the recent past. Warner Music’s investment in Global Music Junction and its continued collaboration with us will fast track the increasing expansion of India’s regional music industry. With our combined collective vision and understanding of audience preferences, we aim to strengthen the ecosystem by meeting the growing fan demand in the music and entertainment space. We are looking forward to more successful outcomes from our longstanding collaboration.”

    Warner Music India MD Jay Mehta added: “Our partnership continues to have a significant presence in the places in the Indian market which are growing most rapidly, and so enables us to be the fastest music company in our expansion.  GMJ is a leading player in five language markets in central India and works with some of the biggest names in Indian music and show business.  This is a critical moment in our expansion across the country as we seek to position Warner Music India as the number one choice for all discerning artists and labels.”

    Global Music Junction CEO Rajkumar Singh commented: “GMJ is committed to pioneering innovative marketing strategies, fostering creativity, and elevating the digital music landscape across India.  Our expanded partnership with Warner Music will help us fulfill our vision of becoming the foremost digital entertainment company in the country, while nurturing the next generation of talent. We will continue to enable our partners to focus on their artistic endeavours, while we manage their digital properties to engage users effectively.”

    Giri Digital, an early investor in GMJ, continues to stay invested.

  • BBC Podcasts now available on Amazon Music Worldwide

    BBC Podcasts now available on Amazon Music Worldwide

    Mumbai: BBC – creator, producer and distributor of distinct British content globally – today announced a new deal with Amazon Music that will make BBC podcasts available on the streaming service for the first time outside the UK.  
    Subscribers to Prime and Amazon Music Unlimited services can exclusively access a curated suite of over 50 of the BBC’s most popular podcasts ad-free, including notable BBC titles such as Americast, BBC Global News Podcast, Dua Lipa: At Your Service, The Global Story, Infinite Monkey Cage, Planet Premier League, and World of Secrets. 
    Additionally, the deal will also unlock ad-supported listening for the BBC’s complete catalogue from across BBC Studios, BBC Public Service, and the BBC World Service for Amazon Music users on the streaming services’ ad-supported free tier.

    BBC Studios, SVP Audio, digital news & streaming Louise la Grange said, “Whether it’s a rundown of today’s headlines for the morning commute or a dose of true crime for a long road trip, we have something for everyone. Audio storytelling has long been our strength as a global content producer, and with this partnership, we are thrilled to bring our BBC podcasts to even wider audiences. We invite Amazon Music listeners to explore the BBC’s premium audio storytelling and discover their new favorite podcast with us.”    

    “Amazon Music is thrilled to offer our global listeners the full catalogue of BBC podcasts outside of the UK,” said Shea Simpson, Head of Podcast Business, Amazon Music. “BBC’s premium British programmes are a fan-favorite, and we’re excited to make 50 of their top titles available ad-free for Prime members and Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers.”  
    BBC Studios Asia SVP and general manager Phil Hardman said, “We have over 100 years of history of producing world-class audio content and BBC Podcasts reflects the range of storytelling that is synonymous with the BBC and our mission to inform, educate and entertain audiences. This expansion of BBC Podcasts to Amazon Music deepens our well established relationship in Asia that already brings the BBC News channel to audiences in Japan, the best of on demand British content with BBC Player on Amazon Prime Video in India, global co-productions like Good Omens to Amazon Prime Video audiences across Asia and original titles such as the recent critically acclaimed ‘Wedding.con’ produced by BBC Studios India Popular podcasts now available to Amazon Music listeners include:
    Americast – The authoritative weekly US news and politics podcast, Americast investigates the social and cultural issues that define America today. Produced by BBC News.

    BBC Global News Podcast – The day’s top news stories from the BBC. Delivered twice a day on weekdays, daily editions on the weekend. Produced by BBC World Service.

    BBC Global Story – Hosted by Katya Adler, each episode focuses on one story and draws upon the BBC’s best global journalists with a fresh sound and a smart take on the biggest stories of our time. From Beijing to Boston, Baghdad to Bangalore, our unrivalled reach will take you beyond the headlines on a journey of understanding and exploration.

    Produced by BBC World Service.
    BBC World Service non-English language podcasts from selected language services such as BBC News Hindi, BBC News Urdu, BBC News Brasil and BBC News Arabic.

    Business Daily – The daily drama of money and work from the BBC. Produced by BBC World Service.
    Dua Lipa: At Your Service – Pop powerhouse Dua Lipa has candid, uplifting and insightful conversations with the people who inspire her most about topics like reinvention, sex and relationships, psychedelics, and more. Produced by Service95 and Persephonica for the BBC.

    F1 Chequered Flag– Formula 1 interviews, reaction and reports. BBC Radio 5 Live presents a round-up of the race weekend. Produced by IMG Production for the BBC. 
    The Gatekeepers – Jamie Bartlett (Believe In Magic, The Missing Cryptoqueen) traces the story of how and why social media companies have become the new information gatekeepers, and what the decisions they make mean for all of us. Produced by BBC Audio Scotland for BBC Radio 4. 
    Good, Bad, Billionaire – Simon Jack and Zing Tsjeng find out how the richest people on the planet made their billions, and then they judge them. Are they good, bad, or just another billionaire? Produced by BBC Audio for BBC Radio 5 Live.

    History’s Secret Heroes – Helena Bonham Carter shines light on extraordinary stories from World War Two. Produced by BBC Studios Factual for BBC Radio 4.

    In Our Time– Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ideas, people and events that have shaped our world. Produced by BBC Radio 4.

    Infinite Monkey Cage– Professor Brian Cox and Robert Ince host a witty, irreverent look at the world through scientists’ eyes. Produced by BBC Studios Productions for BBC Radio 4. 
    Just One Thing with Michael Mosley – If time is tight, what’s the one thing that you should be doing to improve your health and wellbeing? Michael Mosley reveals surprisingly simple top tips that are scientifically proven to change your life. Produced by BBC Studios Factual for BBC Radio 4 Live.

    Planet Premier League – Hosted by ex-Premier League and World Cup winner Cesc Fabregas, leading UK sports broadcaster Mark Chapman and former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha, this brand-new flagship weekly soccer podcast leverages unrivalled access to the biggest names, experts, and insights from the most watched football league around the globe. Planet Premier League is made by IMG Media for the BBC.

    Things Fell Apart with Jon Ronson – If you’ve ever yelled at someone on social media about, say, cancel culture or mask-wearing, then you are a soldier in the culture wars – those everyday battles for dominance between conflicting values. Acclaimed writer and broadcaster Jon Ronson reveals wholly unexpected but all too human stories about the culture wars that divide us so toxically today. Produced by BBC Audio for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

    Uncanny – From ghostly phantoms to UFOs, The Battersea Poltergeist’s Danny Robins investigates real-life stories of paranormal encounters. Produced by Bafflegab and Uncanny Media for BBC Radio 4.

    World of Secrets – Major BBC global investigations and gripping storytelling. Produced by BBC World Service.
    You’re Dead to Me– The comedy podcast that takes history seriously. Greg Jenner brings together the best names in comedy and history to learn and laugh about the past. Produced by Muddy Knees Media for BBC Radio 4.

  • Ajay Devgn’s NY VFXWAALA announces international expansion in collaboration with GBK

    Ajay Devgn’s NY VFXWAALA announces international expansion in collaboration with GBK

    Mumbai: Ajay Devgn’s award-winning entrepreneurial initiative, NY VFXWAALA, a renowned Indian Visual Effects Studio, joyfully announced a strategic partnership with the acclaimed Swedish studio, Goodbye Kansas Studio, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, through its offshore subsidiary. Goodbye Kansas Studios boasts a remarkable portfolio of services, seamlessly integrated across feature films, TV series, commercials, games, and trailers. Their expertise spans VFX, FX, CG productions, 3D face and body scanning, digital humans, creature and character design, performance capture, animation, and real-time capabilities.

    This significant investment establishes two pivotal relationships:

    •    Secured Major Stake: We have secured a major stake in Goodbye Kansas, through our offshore subsidiary, solidifying our collaboration.
    •    Immediate Joint Venture Studio in India: Simultaneously, we are launching a joint venture studio in India.

    Goodbye, Kansas is a powerhouse in creating cinematic trailers for top triple-A games worldwide and delivering visual effects for live-action productions. Their impressive portfolio includes work on games like Cyberpunk 2077, God of War: Ragnarök, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, the Battlefield franchise, and PUBG Battlegrounds. Beyond gaming, they’ve undertaken fascinating visual effects projects. Their ongoing collaborations with HBO, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney, Apple TV, Paramount Plus, and others are truly exceptional. Recent shows they’ve contributed to include True Detective Season 4 (HBO), One Piece (Netflix), and Carnival Row (Amazon Prime). Additionally, they’ve lent their expertise to numerous commercials and feature films, including Asteroid City and A Man called Otto (both featuring Tom Hanks). Their outstanding work has garnered prestigious awards, such as the VES (Visual Effects Society) award for “Outstanding Animated Character in a Commercial” for their work on the character “Dex” in the Cyberpunk 2077 E3 trailer, presented at the 18 Annual VES Awards gala in Los Angeles.

    Our shared vision revolves around mutual growth, leveraging our collective creativity and technical prowess. Together, we extend premium services to global clients, inviting talents from India and Asia to collaborate on exciting future projects.

    Our joint efforts will contribute creative and technological expertise, delivering technology-driven visual content to film, TV, and gaming companies across India, Asia, and beyond. By employing global resource planning, we aim to enhance production efficiency and elevate industry standards.

     .  Accelerating Revenue Growth: Our strategy involves scalable capacity expansion and intensified sales efforts within existing business segments (VFX, Animation, Game Trailers, and In-Game). We’ll target new geographical markets and capitalize on the growing trend of outsourcing VFX and gaming content. Additionally, we will adopt a global approach to resource planning and talent acquisition.

    . Global Service Strengthening: Our combined scope of services will strengthen our global service offerings. We’ll strategically exploit opportunities in the Indian Games market and other Asian markets.

     . Expanding Scanning and Motion Capture Studio: Goodbye Kansas’s state-of-the-art scanning and motion capture studio will extend its services to clients in Asia and beyond.

    . Research and Development Collaboration: We’ll establish a collaborative Research and Development (R&D) team between both partners. This team will focus on creating innovative tools and technological advancements.

    Goodbye

    “Our endeavours involve setting new benchmarks with each project. We embrace a continuous process of learning, evolution, and adaptation to the latest technologies. I am delighted to extend our NY family through the Goodbye Kansas partnership. Our unwavering passion for delivering excellence persists, fueled by our core values and dedication. We take pride in associating with a like-minded partner GBK, and look forward to this journey together.” said the founder and chairman of NY VFXWAALA, Ajay Devgn.

    Kansas

    “NY VFXWAALA is an ideal partner for Goodbye Kansas, sharing the same dedication to outstanding talent, cutting-edge technology and engaging narrative. This strategic partnership brings together our strengths in a way that will benefit both our organizations. Together, we’re positioned to create exceptional value for our customers, and open new development opportunities for our talented co-workers.” said Goodbye Kansas’ chairman of the board, Per Anders Warn.

    “I am happy to announce this combined financing solution and strategic partnership, welcoming NY WFXWAALA as a business partner and a strategic investor in Goodbye Kansas. Our partnership will significantly contribute to our mutual growth and provide major opportunities for expanding production resources and capabilities, supporting Goodbye Kansas’ journey towards profitable growth” said CEO Stefan Danieli.

    Goodbye Kansas

    “We are thrilled about partnering with the Goodbye Kansas team. Our joint vision is to raise the quality benchmark, drive global expansion, and deliver exceptional service to clients worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to our goals, we eagerly look forward to expanding our business and welcoming dedicated talent not only in India but globally, to collaborate on an exciting future,” said the creative head and co-founder of NY VFXWAALA, Naveen Paul.

    NY VFXWAALA, India an award-winning studio has worked on approx. 300 Films, has won prestigious awards like 64 National Awards India, 10 Asian Film Award and more, it remains committed to raising the bar through this strategic partnership, ensuring the delivery of premium services to our esteemed clients. We deeply appreciate our existing relationships with clients in India and around the globe. The prospect of offering cutting-edge solutions further fuels our excitement. Our journey, from a modest small studio to an expanding international presence, keeps us grounded yet relentlessly pushing boundaries. Our global growth aims to provide competitive, high-quality services, and we eagerly invite talents from all corners of the world to collaborate with us on this

  • Prime Video unveils its biggest slate to date with close to 70 series and movies across languages and genres

    Prime Video unveils its biggest slate to date with close to 70 series and movies across languages and genres

    Mumbai: Prime Video, an entertainment destination, on 19 March 2024 unveiled its most ambitious and diverse content slate till date in the country at its second Prime Video Presents India showcase, with close to 70 series and movies, with most of them premiering on the service over the next two years. With 40 Original series and movies, and 29 of some of India’s biggest and most anticipated movies, the new slate promises to bring the best of Indian entertainment to delight and engage customers.

    Prime Video’s upcoming originals offer something for everyone in the household, featuring a wide array of series and movies spanning several genres in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. From riveting thrillers and engrossing dramas to rib-tickling comedies and spine-chilling horror, to intriguing unscripted shows, fascinating stories for young adults, high-octane action and alluring musical dramas, the diverse slate brings the best local stories to screen. This is in addition to movies across languages from some of India’s most prestigious film studios that will come to the service after their theatrical premieres.

    “At Prime Video, it has been our focus to super-serve Indian customers with the best of entertainment across formats. From clutter-breaking Original series and movies, direct-to-service premieres to post-theatrical launches of some of the biggest hits across languages, our goal is to be the first choice of entertainment for every customer,” said Sushant Sreeram, country director, of Prime Video, India. “Our content broke new ground in 2023, helping India remain a front-runner, across international locales, in new customer adoption and Prime member engagement. We are humbled by the love we have received from our customers and want every story on our service to be someone’s favourite show or movie. In sync with this, we are thrilled to unveil our biggest, most diverse slate till date, and are certain that our upcoming series and movies will continue to enthral audiences, not just in India but around the world.”

    “At Prime Video, it has been our ongoing mission to be a global showcase for diverse, authentic and rooted Indian stories, that can transcend linguistic and geographical borders,” said Aparna Purohit, head of Originals, India and Southeast Asia, Prime Video. “In just 2023, our content was watched in over 210 countries and territories, in any given week, and trended in the top 10 on Prime Video worldwide for 43 of the last 52 weeks. It has been gratifying to witness the national and global impact of our shows and movies, and this fuels us to further champion Indian content on the global stage. As the home for storytellers and talent, we are also excited to partner with some of the most prolific names in Indian entertainment and empower dynamic, new voices, to create stories that are fresh, powerful, inspiring and entertaining. We are confident that our upcoming slate of series and movies will pave the way for even more compelling narratives from India to emerge.”  

    List of All Titles Announced at Prime Video Presents India (2024)

    Andhera (Hindi)

    In the shadow of Mumbai’s shimmering skyline, a sinister force hunts the living. In this visceral tale of urban horror, a fearless cop and a haunted medical student must take on this living darkness to avert impending doom.

    Production Company: Excel Media and Entertainment LLP

    Executive Producers: Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Kassim Jagmagia, Mohit Shah, and Karan Anshuman

    Creator: Gaurav Desai

    Director: Raaghav Dar

    Writers: Gaurav Desai, Raaghav Dar, Karan Anshuman, Chintan Sarda, Akshat Ghildial, and Karmanya Ahuja

    Key Cast: Priya Bapat, Karanvir Malhotra, Prajakta Koli, Surveen Chawla, Vatsal Sheth, Parvin Dabas, and Pranay Pachauri

    Arabia Kadali (Telugu)

    A fictional suspense drama series that revolves around a group of fishermen from rival villages who inadvertently trespass into international waters and find themselves imprisoned in a foreign jail.

    Production Company: First Frame Entertainments Pvt Ltd

    Producers: Y. Rajeev Reddy and J Saibabu

    Creative Producer: Krish Jagarlamudi

    Writers: Krish Jagarlamudi, Dr. Chintakindi Srinivas Rao, Surya Kumar, and Sunil D

    Key Cast: Satya Dev, Anandhi

    Bandwaale (Hindi)

    Mariam, a young poetess, finds herself trapped in a sleepy town where every young girl’s future lies in wedlock. She hopes to find freedom by uploading her poetry on the internet with the help of her band of misfits – a brass band singer and a new-age DJ

    Production Company: OML Entertainment

    Directors: Akshat Verma and Ankur Tewari

    Creators: Ankur Tewari and Swanand Kirkire

    Key Cast: Shalini Pandey, Zahaan Kapoor, Swanand Kirkire, Sanjana Dipu, Ashish Vidhyarthi, and Anupama Kumar

    Call Me Bae (Hindi)

    Downsized from heiress to hustler, Bae discovers that her most valuable assets aren’t her diamonds, but her street smarts and style. Broke but refusing to be broken, she navigates the newsrooms of Mumbai, finding beaus, behens, and her better self.

    Production Company: Dharmatic Entertainment Pvt Ltd

    Executive Producers: Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra

    Director: Collin D’Cunha

    Creator: Ishita Moitra

    Writers: Ishita Moitra, Samina Motlekar, and Rohit Nair

    Key Cast: Ananya Panday, Vir Das, Gurfateh Pirzada, Varun Sood, Vihaan Samat, Muskkkaan Jaferi, Niharika Lyra Dutt, Lisa Mishra, and Mini Mathur

    Citadel: Honey Bunny (Hindi)

    Citadel: Honey Bunny has a riveting narrative that fuses the pulse-pounding elements of a gritty spy action thriller with the heartwarming allure of a love story, all set against the vibrant tapestry of the ’90s. Honey Bunny is the Indian series within the Citadel universe.

    Production Company: D2R Films Production

    Directors: Raj and DK

    Writers: Raj and DK, Sita R. Menon

    Key Cast: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kay Kay Menon, Simran, Soham Majumdar, Shivankit Singh Parihar, Kashvi Majmundar, Saquib Saleem, and Sikandar Kher

    Daldal (Hindi)

    Haunted by the guilt of her past and dealing with the demons of her present, Mumbai’s newly appointed DCP Rita Ferreira must embark on an investigation of a series of murders that puts her on a collision course with a cold-blooded serial killer, even as she has to save her life from falling apart.

    Production Company: Abundantia Entertainment

    Executive Producers: Vikram Malhotra and Suresh Triveni

    Director: Amrit Raj Gupta

    Based on: Bhendi Bazaar by Vish Dhamija

    Story: Sreekanth Agneeaswaran, Rohan D’Souza, and Priya Saggi

    Screenplay: Sreekanth Agneeaswaran and Rohan D’Souza

    Dialogues: Hussain Haidry

    Key Cast: Bhumi Pednekar

    Daring Partners (Hindi)

    Two best friends embark on a daring journey as partners in an alcohol start-up. The series unfolds their audacious journey, where they challenge norms, bend rules, and ‘craft’ their destiny within a male-dominated industry.

    Production Company: Dharmatic Entertainment Pvt Ltd

    Executive Producers: Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra

    Creators: Nishant Nayak, Mithun Gangopadhyay

    Director: Archit Kumar

    Writers: Nandini Gupta, Mithun Gangopadhyay, and Aarsh Vora

    Key Cast: Tamannaah Bhatia, Diana Penty, and Jaaved Jaaferi

    Dil Dosti Dilemma (Hindi)

    Asmara’s summer takes an unexpected turn when she is sent to her grandparents’ neighbourhood as a form of punishment. To maintain appearances with her friends, she pretends to be in Canada. Amidst the struggles of a traditional setting, she learns new life lessons.

    Production Company: 10 Years Younger Productions

    Director: Debbie Rao

    Creative Producers: Seema Mohapatra and Jahanara Bhargava

    Key Cast: Anushka Sen, Tanvi Azmi, Shishir Sharma, Suhasini Mulay, Khush Jotwani, Vishakha Pandey, Revathi Pillai, and Elisha Mayor

    Dupahiya (Hindi)

    In a village that is on the cusp of celebrating 25 years of being crime-free, chaos ensues when a coveted motorbike gets stolen! With the silver jubilee trophy, a wedding, and the pride of the villagers at stake, what follows is a crazy journey to retrieve the bike before it’s too late.

    Production Company: Bombay Film Cartel

    Producers: Salona Bains Joshi, Shubh Shivdasani

    Creators: Chirag Garg, Avinash Dwivedi, Salona Bains Joshi, and Shubh Shivdasani

    Director: Sonam Nair

    Writers: Avinash Dwivedi and Chirag Garg

    Key Cast: Gajraj Rao, Renuka Shahane, Bhuvan Arora, Sparsh Srivastava, Shivani Raghuvanshi, and Yashpal Sharma

    Follow Karlo Yaar (Hindi)

    Uorfi Javed is India’s biggest viral sensation – where she goes, drama follows! Her fame, like her clothes, is self-made but now she’s taking it all to the next level. Get to know the real Uorfi as she ups her game and her fame while also keeping her fully dysfunctional family together.

    Production Company: Sol Productions

    Producers: Fazila Allana and Kamna Menezes

    Director: Sandeep Kukreja

    Creative Director: Meghana Badola

    Creative Consultant: Naomi Datta

    Story Supervisor: Anisha Raisurana

    Key Cast: Uorfi Javed

    Project Consultant: Collective Artists Network

    Gangs Kuruthi Punal (Tamil)

    In this fictional period action drama, a tale of revenge fuels a bloody power struggle within the first organized gang of a port city. Replete with smugglers, dealers, pornographers, film stars, aristocrats, and politicians, this larger-than-life series weaves a gripping narrative of ambition, betrayal, and a relentless struggle for power.

    Production Company: May6 Entertainment LLP

    Creative Producer: Soundarya Rajinikanth

    Director: Noah

    Writers: Noah, Tamil Prabha, and Prabhu Kalidas

    Key Cast: Sathyaraj, Ashok Selvan, Nasser, Nimisha Sajayan, Ritika Singh, and Easwari Rao

    Gulkanda Tales (Hindi)

    A unique and visually delightful satire set in the fictional land of Gulkanda.

    Production Company: D2R Films Production

    Created by: Raj and DK

    Director: Rahi Anil Barve

    Writers: Mitesh Shah, Raj and DK, and Rahi Anil Barve

    Key Cast: Pankaj Tripathi, Kunal Kemmu, and Patralekhaa

    In Transit (Hindi)

    ‘In Transit’ is a documentary series that explores the lives of trans and non-binary individuals navigating love, identity, and the boundaries of gender in a uniquely Indian way.

    Production Company: Tiger Baby Digital LLP

    Creative Producer: Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti

    Director: Ayesha Sood

    Inspector Rishi (Tamil)

    In this supernatural horror series, skeptical crime branch Inspector Rishi Nandhan investigates a string of peculiar murders intertwined with supernatural occurrences. As he unravels the mysteries, he confronts both the chilling crimes and his own inner turmoil.      

    Production Company: Make Believe Productions

    Writer, Director, and Creative Producer: Nandhini JS

    Producer: Shukdev Lahiri

    Executive Producer: Jithin Thorai

    Key Cast: Naveen Chandra, Sunainaa, Kanna Ravi, Malini Jeevarathnam, Srikrishna Dayal, and Kumaravel

    Khauf (Hindi)

    A young woman moves into a hostel room in Delhi, unaware of its dark history of violence and hidden secrets. Grappling with the shadows of her troubled past, she finds herself entangled in a struggle against unexplained forces that manifest both within the confines of the room and outside.

    Production Company: Matchbox Shots

    Producers: Sanjay Routray and Sarita Patil

    Creator: Smita Singh

    Directors: Pankaj Kumar and Surya Balakrishnan

    Writer: Smita Singh

    Key Cast: Monika Panwar, Rajat Kapoor, Abhishek Chauhan, Geetanjali Kulkarni, and Shilpa Shukla      

    Matka King (Hindi)

    In this fictional tale set in 1960s Mumbai, an enterprising cotton trader who craves legitimacy and respect starts a new gambling game dubbed ‘Matka’, which takes the city by storm and democratizes a terrain previously reserved for the rich and elite.

    Production Company: Roy Kapur Films

    Produced By: Siddharth Roy Kapur, Nagaraj Manjule, Gargi Kulkarni, Ashish Aryan, and Ashwini Sidwani

    Director: Nagraj Manjule

    Writers: Abhay Koranne and Nagraj Manjule

    Key Cast: Vijay Varma

    Ma Kasum (Hindi)

    A 19-year-old math genius’ ultimate quest is to create an algorithm to find the ‘perfect match’ for his vivacious single mother. Despite his faith in the sanctity of numbers, he begins to realize that nothing in life is absolute – when it comes to human relationships, every equation is a ‘work-in-progress’.

    Production Company: Eunoia Films

    Creative Producer and Producer: Babita Ashiwal

    Executive Producers: Ruchir Joshi and Babita Ashiwal

    Created By: Samir Kohli, Prasad Kadam, and Vinay Joshi

    Director: Nicholas Kharkongor

    Writers: Vinay Choudary, Neha Sharma, Nicholas Kharkongor, Ravinder Randhawa, Sumrit Shahi, Akanksha Seda, and Prasad Kadam

    Additional Writer: Samir Kohli

    Key Cast: Mona Singh, Angira Dhar, Mihir Ahuja, and Ranveer Brar

    Rangeen (Hindi)

    Confronted with an uncomfortable truth about his marriage, a middle-aged husband takes an unusual path, forcing him to re-evaluate his ideas of manhood and morality.

    Production Company: Kabir Khan Entertainment LLP

    Producer: Rajan Kapoor

    Creative Producer: Kabir Khan

    Creators: Amardeep Galsin and Amir Rizvi

    Directors: Kopal Naithani and Pranjal Dua

    Writers: Amardeep Galsin and Amir Rizvi

    Key Cast: Vineet Kumar Singh, Rajashri Deshpande, and Taaruk Raina

    Sivarapalli (Panchayat Telugu)

    Sivarapalli follows the life of an average urban engineering graduate who takes up the job of a Village Panchayat Secretary as he fails to get any other job as all his friends are going to the USA.

    Production Company: The Viral Fever

    Producer: Arunabh Kumar, Shreyansh, Pandey, Vijay Koshy

    Writer: Shanmukha Prashanth

    Snakes and Ladders (Tamil)

    Four reckless kids, while trying to cover up an accident, find themselves caught in dangerous situations – chased by cops, dim-witted thugs, and their own bad choices.

    Production Company: A Stone Bench Production

    Creative Producer: Karthik Subbaraj          

    Director: Bharath Muralidharan, Ashok Veerappan, and Kamala Alchemis

    Creators:  Kamala Alchemis, Dhivakar Kamal

    Key Cast: Naveen Chandra, Muthu Kumar, Nandaa, Srinda, Manoj Bharathiraja, Ramachandran, Sreejith Ravi, Samrit Surya, Rageshwar Surya, Kumar Tharun, and Sasha Bharen

    Thalaivettiyaan Paalayam (Panchayat Tamil)

    Thalaivettiyaan Paalayam is a Comedy-Drama that follows the life of an urban engineering graduate who takes up the job of secretary in a village panchayat due to a lack of job options.

    Production Company: The Viral Fever

    Producer: Arunabh Kumar, Shreyansh, Pandey, Vijay Koshy

    Director: Naga

    Cast: Abishek Kumar, Chetan, Devadharshini Chetan, Anand Sami, and Paul Raj

    Writer: Bala Kumaran

    The Great Indian Code (Hindi)

    The story of a bunch of humble and visionary middle-class engineers led by a meek-looking gentleman in the eighties to create a company that led the biggest wealth-generating industry India had ever seen: the IT industry. Set against the backdrop of the 70s-90s when the nation was gripped by poor governance, poverty, and a dependence on foreign charity for wealth and infrastructure, this story follows the middle-class heroes who, holding onto their values, fought against the time, traditions, and technological backwardness to create a software revolution.

    Production Company: The Viral Fever

    Producer: Arunabh Kumar, Shreyansh Pandey, and Vijay Koshy

    Director: Deepak Kumar Mishra

    Writer: Shubham Sharma

    The Rana Connection (Telugu)

    An exciting and curiosity-piquing talk show hosted by celebrated actor Rana Daggubati, featuring his friends and contemporaries from Indian cinema.        

    Production Company: Spirit Media Pvt Ltd

    Producers: Rajeev Ranjan and Prashanth Potluri

    Key Cast: Rana Daggubati

    The Revolutionaries (Hindi)

    The story of brave young Indian freedom fighters who believed that armed resistance was crucial to ending the British Raj. This is the story of their lives, sacrifices, and undying love for their country.      

    Production Company: Emmay Entertainment        

    Producers: Monisha Advani and Madhu Bhojwani

    Created for Television by Nikkhil Advani

    An adaptation of the book The Revolutionaries, written by Sanjeev Sanyal

    The Tribe (Hindi)

    Young, unafraid, and chasing an epic dream, The Tribe are a group of Indian influencers who have been set up to crack global fame in… Los Angeles! Are they fearless or just foolish?

    Production Company: Dharmatic Entertainment Pvt Ltd

    Executive Producers: Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Aneesha Baig

    Creator: Aneesha Baig

    Director: Omkar Potdar

    Creative Producers: Manu Maharshi and Naomi Datta

    Key Cast: Alanna Panday, Alaviaa Jaaferi, Srushti Porey, Alfia Jafry, Aryaana Gandhi, and Hardik Zaveri

    Waack Girls (Hindi)

    Six Kolkata girls create Waack Girls, a dance group in a city unfamiliar with waacking. Led by Ishani, an expert waacker and managed by Lopa, this lighthearted story is filled with music, dance, comedy, and drama.

    Production Companies: Matter Entertainment, Chalkboard Entertainment, and Jigri Dost Productions

    Creator and Director: Sooni Taraporevala

    Writers: Sooni Taraporevala, Iyanah Bativala, and Ronny Sen

    Key Cast: Mekhola Bose, Rytasha Rathore, Barun Chanda, Anasua Chowdhury, Chrisann Pereira, Priyam Saha, Ruby Sah, and Achintya Bose

    Ziddi Girls (Hindi)

    Whether they like it or not, the lives of 5 self-absorbed, could n’t-care-less Gen Z freshers are about to change as they enter the illustrious corridors of Matilda House College. Deep friendships form over a year of mistakes, heartbreaks, and self-discovery, forcing them out of their comfort zones as they put themselves between their college and the forces that threaten it.

    Production Company: Pritish Nandy Communications Ltd.

    Creator: Rangita Pritish Nandy

    Co-Creator: Ishita Pritish Nandy

    Directors: Shonali Bose, Neha Veena Sharma, and Vasant Nath

    Writers: Vasant Nath and Neha Veena Sharma

    Key Cast: Simran, Revathy, Nandita Das, Nandish Sandhu, Anupriya Caroli, Atiya Tara Nayak, Ayushi Rawat, Zaina Ali, and Umang Bhadana

    RETURNING SERIES

    (Listed In Alphabetical Order)

    Bandish Bandits Season 2 (Hindi)

    As Radhe and Tamanna, former lovers and bandmates, find themselves pitted against each other in a nationwide band competition, their tumultuous relationship intersects like pieces on a chessboard. Who will declare checkmate first?

    Production Company: Leo Media Collective Private Limited

    Created By: Amritpal Singh Bindra, Anand Tiwari

    Co-Producer: Dimple Mathias

    Director: Anand Tiwari

    Writers: Atmika Didwania, Karan Singh Tyagi, and Anand Tiwari

    Key Cast: Ritwik Bhowmik, Shreya Chaudhry, Sheeba Chadha, Divya Dutta, Atul Kulkarni, Rajesh Tailang, Kunaal Roy Kapur, Rohan Gurbaxani, Yashaswini Dayama, Aaliyah Qureshi, and Saurabh Nayyar.

    Mirzapur Season 3 (Hindi)

    Guddu and Golu are pitted against a new contender as they stake their claim to the throne. Will they pass the baptism of fire, or will external forces seek to destroy the seat of power forever?          

    Production Company: Excel Media and Entertainment LLP

    Executive Producers: Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Kassim Jagmagia, and Gurmmeet Singh

    Directors: Gurmmeet Singh, Anand Iyer

    Season developed by: Apurva Dhar Badgaiyan

    Writers: Apurva Dhar Badgaiyan, Avinash Singh Tomar, Avinash Singh, and Vijay Narayan Verma

    Key Cast: Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Shweta Tripathi, Rasika Dugal, Vijay Varma, Harshita Gaur, Anjumm Sharma, Priyanshu Painyuli, Sheeba Chadha, Rajesh Tailang, and Manu Rishi Chadha

    Paatal Lok Season 2 (Hindi)

    Two seemingly disconnected cases get Hathiram and Ansari to work together again, sending them down the track of a nebulous conspiracy.

    Production Company: Clean Slate Filmz

    Produced by: Karnesh Sharma

    Executive Producer: Sudip Sharma

    Director: Avinash Arun Dhaware

    Writers: Sudip Sharma, Abhishek Banerjee, Tamal Sen, and Rahul Kanojia

    Key Cast: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Tillotama Shome, Jahnu Barua, Gul Panag, Nagesh Kukunoor, and Anurag Arora

    Panchayat Season 3 (Hindi)

    As the Panchayat elections approach, both Pradhan and Bhushan camps engage in a fierce battle to uplift their public image. Navigating the murky waters of Phulera politics, Abhishek does his best to maintain his objectivity.

    Production Company: The Viral Fever

    Production Company: The Viral Fever

    Producer: Arunabh Kumar, Shreyansh, Pandey, Vijay Koshy

    Director: Deepak Kumar Mishra

    Writer: Chandan Kumar

    Suzhal – The Vortex Season 2 (Tamil)

    Small Town Big Crime! When a senior activist lawyer, Chellappa, who defended Nandini, is found murdered, Sakkarai is called in to help the family. Set against the backdrop of the massive Ashtakaali Festival in the small town of Kaalipattanam, the case unravels deeds from the past that cast long shadows on the present.

    Production Company: Wallwatcher Films

    Creators: Pushkar & Gayatri

    Directors: Bramma & Sarjun

    Writers: Pushkar Gayatri

    Key Cast: Kathir, Aishwarya Rajesh, Lal, Saravanan, Manjima Mohan, Gouri Kishan, Monisha Blessy, and Samyuktha Vishwanathan

    ORIGINAL MOVIES

    Ae Watan Mere Watan (Hindi)

    A thriller drama inspired by true events; the film chronicles a college girl’s transformation into a fearless freedom fighter amidst the tumult of the Quit India Movement in 1942. Ae Watan Mere Watan is a story about the courage, patriotism, sacrifice, and resourcefulness of the youth of the nation.

    Production Company: Dharmatic Entertainment Pvt Ltd

    Producers: Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra

    Director: Kannan Iyer

    Writer: Darab Farooqui

    Key Cast: Sara Ali Khan, Emraan Hashmi, Abhay Varma, Sachin Khedekar, and Sparsh Srivastava

    Be Happy (Hindi)

    A poignant tale that unfolds the journey of a single father and his talented daughter who aspire to perform on the country’s biggest dance reality show. Be Happy highlights the extraordinary lengths a father will go to fulfil his daughter’s dreams and find true happiness.

    Production Company: Remo D’Souza Entertainment

    Producer: Lizelle Remo D’Souza

    Director: Remo D’Souza

    Writers: Remo D’Souza, Tushar Hiranandani, Kanishka Singh Deo, and Chirag Garg

    Key Cast: Abhishek A Bachchan, Nora Fatehi, Nasser, Inayat Verma, and Johny Lever

    Cheekati Lo (Telugu)

    A gripping investigative crime thriller that follows the relentless journey of a determined young woman as she unravels the disturbing truth behind a serial rapist.

    Production Company: Suresh Production Pvt Ltd

    Producer: Suresh Babu

    Writer: Chandra Pemmaraju

    Chhorii 2 (Hindi)

    Sakshi must rescue her seven-year-old daughter from being sacrificed by an evil cult to satisfy Pradhan Ji, their resident leader while fighting societal superstitions and the horror that continues to haunt her and the young women around her.

    Production Companies: T-Series, Crypt TV, and Abundantia Entertainment

    Producers: Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Vikram Malhotra, and Jack Davis

    Director: Vishal Furia

    Cast: Nushrratt Bharuccha and Soha Ali Khan

    Story and screenplay by: Vishal Furia and Ajit Jagtap

    Dialogues by: Divya Prakash Dubey

    Subedaar (Hindi)

    In an adrenaline-fueled action drama, Subedaar Arjun Singh grapples with civilian life, navigating a strained relationship with his daughter, and societal dysfunction. The man who once fought for the nation must now fight enemies within to protect his home and family.

    Production Company: Abundantia Entertainment, Opening Image, Anil Kapoor Film & Communication Network Pvt. Ltd.

    Producers: Vikram Malhotra, Suresh Triveni, and Anil Kapoor

    Director: Suresh Triveni

    Writers: Suresh Triveni and Prajwal Chandrashekar

    Key Cast: Anil Kapoor

    Supermen of Malegaon (Hindi)

    Supermen of Malegaon follows the journey of an aspiring filmmaker as he bands together his group of friends to make a film for his small town of Malegaon. A heartwarming tale that beautifully captures the essence of friendship and the transformative power of filmmaking.

    Production Company: Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby

    Producers: Ritesh Sidhwani, Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, and Farhan Akhtar

    Director: Reema Kagti

    Writers: Varun Grover and Reema Kagti

    Key Cast: Adarsh Gourav, Vineet Kumar Singh, and Shashank Arora

    The Mehta Boys (Hindi)

    A father and son, at odds with each other, find themselves compelled to spend 48 hours together. The Mehta Boys follow their tumultuous journey and offer a nuanced exploration of the complexities often inherent in a father-son relationship.

    Production Companies: Irani Movietone LLP and Chalkboard Entertainment LLP

    Producers: Vikesh Bhutani, Shujaat Saudagar, Danesh Irani, and Boman Irani

    Director: Boman Irani

    Writers: Alex Dinelaris and Boman Irani

    Key Cast: Boman Irani, Avinash Tiwary, and Shreya Chaudhary

    Uppu Kappu Rambu (Telugu)

    In this satirical comedy, a fictional village faces an extraordinary crisis as the cemetery runs out of space. Uproarious chaos ensues as the community rallies together, finding inventive solutions to overcome this unusual predicament.

    Production Company: Ellanar films

    Producer: Radhika Lavu

    Director: Ani I.V Sasi

    Writer: Vasanth Muralikrishna Maringanti

    Key Cast: Suhas Pagolu and Keerthy Suresh

    LICENSED MOVIES

    (Listed In Alphabetical Order)

    Agni (Hindi)

    In a city engulfed by a mysterious surge in fires, Vithal, a courageous fireman, and his brother-in-law, Samit, a hotshot policeman, begrudgingly join forces to unravel the escalating crisis. As they battle their own differences and a race against time, they must reconcile personal conflicts to crack the case and protect Mumbai from impending disaster.

    Production Company: Excel Entertainment Pvt Ltd

    Producers: Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar

    Director: Rahul Dholakia

    Cast: Pratik Gandhi, Divyenndu, Saiyami Kher, Sai Tamhankar, Jitendra Joshi, Udit Arora, Kabir Shah

    Writer: Rahul Dholakia

    Ashwatthama – The Saga Continues (Hindi)

    Ashwatthama, the saga continues… The film delves into the Legend of The Immortal Warrior Ashwatthama from the Mahabharata, believed to walk among us even today. Set in the present era marked by rapid technological advancements and humanity’s remarkable capabilities, Ashwatthama confronts the challenges of modernity, facing off against formidable adversaries in a high-octane, action-packed narrative. As the mystery of a legendary figure thrust into the chaos of the present day unravels, the film explores the inner psyche of an immortal being, revealing how he perceives the world he has witnessed for thousands of years.

    Production Company: Pooja Entertainment Limited

    Producers: Vashu Bhagnani, Jackky Bhagnani, and Deepshikha Deshmukh

    Director: Sachin B Ravi

    Cast: Shahid Kapoor

    Baaghi 4 (Hindi)

    The ‘Baaghi’ franchise is known for its high-octane action sequences and intense storylines. The franchise has garnered a significant fan following for its adrenaline-pumping action and charismatic leads.  Each instalment features a new storyline while retaining the core elements of action, romance, and drama. The success of the franchise has cemented its status as one of Bollywood’s leading action film series, with audiences eagerly anticipating future instalments. The makers now bring to you Baaghi 4 with Tiger Shroff.

    Production Company: Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment

    Producer: Sajid Nadiadwala

    Cast: Tiger Shroff

    Story By: Sajid Nadiadwala

    Badnewz (Hindi)

    A rib-tickling comedy

    Production Company: Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective

    Producer: Hiroo Yash Johar, Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, Amritpal Singh Bindra, Anand Tiwari

    Director: Anand Tiwari

    Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Triptii Dimri, and Ammy Virk

    Writers: Tarun Dudeja and Ishita Moitra

    Chandu Champion (Hindi)

    This is an unbelievable tale of a man who faced one adversary after another with an undying spirit. His unwavering zeal and never-give-up attitude led to India’s first individual gold medal in any form of the Olympics. This is the story of Chandu Champion!

    Production Companies: Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment and Kabir Khan Films

    Producers: Sajid Nadiadwala and Kabir Khan

    Director: Kabir Khan

    Cast: Kartik Aaryan

    Writers: Kabir Khan, Sumit Arora

    Don 3 (Hindi)

    Production Company: Excel Entertainment Pvt Ltd

    Producers: Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar

    Director: Farhan Akhtar

    Cast: Ranveer Singh and Kiara Advani

    Writers: Farhan Akhtar and Pushkar-Gayatri

    Family Star (Telugu)

    Family Star is an aspiring and realistic story about the highs and lows of family relationships in a typical Indian middle-class family. The story travels through the life of Govardhan, who wants to achieve greatness in life but has to navigate through a myriad of relationship/trust/ego issues with various members of his family and his love interest. How he navigates through them, achieves success and still roots for his love interest forms the crux of the story

    Production Company: Sri Venkateshwara Creations

    Producers: Dil Raju and Shirish

    Director: Parashuram

    Cast: Vijay Deverakonda, Mrunal Thakur

    Writer: Parashuram

    Game Changer (Telugu)

    Game Changer is a high-voltage action movie based on an honest IAS officer’s fight against a corrupt political system through fair and transparent elections. The movie has strong social messaging on good governance that resonates with the common person in India

    Production Company: Sri Venkateshwara Creations and Zee Studios

    Producer: Dil Raju, Shirish and Zee Studios

    Director: Shankar

    Cast: Ramcharan, Kiara Advani, and S.J. Suryah

    Writers: Sai Madhav Burra, S. Shankar, and Karthik Subbaraj

    Ghaati (Telugu)

    Ghaati is the story of an empowered woman who gets entangled in the weed trade due to circumstances. How she fights against the drug lords to create a better life for her villagers forms the crux of the story

    Production Company: UV Creations/First Frame Entertainment

    Producers: Vamshi Krishna Reddy and Rajiv Reddy

    Director: Krish Jagarlamudi

    Cast: Anushka Shetty

    Writers: Chintakindi Srinivas Rao, Krish Jagarlamudi, and Burra sai Madhav

    Ground Zero (Hindi)

    After the attack on the Indian Parliament in 2001, BSF 2nd in Command Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey embarks on a 2-year long investigation leading to the encounter of Jaish-e-Mohammad’s chief and mastermind behind the attack- Ghazi Baba, enabling India’s most successful counter-terrorism operation in history.

    Production Company: Excel Entertainment Pvt Ltd

    Producers: Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar

    Director: Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar

    Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Zoya Hussain, Sai Tamhankar, Mukesh Tiwari, Rockey Raina, Deepak Paramesh, and Lalit Prabhakar

    Writers: Sanchit Gupta and Priyadarshee Srivastava

    Hari Hara Veera Mallu (Telugu)

    HHVM is the tale of revolutionary Veera Mallu, who was the first Indian to orchestrate a revolt against the Mughal empire. The large-scale historical drama walks through the early life of Veera Mallu and the mission he chooses to raise revolution against the ghastly actions of the army generals in the Mughal empire.

    Production Company: Mega Surya Productions

    Producer: A.M. Rathnam

    Director: Krish Jagarlamudi

    Cast: Pawan Kalyan, Nidhi Agarwal, and Bobby Deol

    Music: MM Keeravani

    DOP: Gnana Shekhar V S

    Housefull 5 (Hindi)

    The ‘Housefull’ series is one of the most loved Indian comedy film franchises created by filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala. Each installment features an ensemble cast of talented actors who bring their comic skills to the forefront. For the first time ever in India, a movie franchise is bringing the 5th installment.

    Introducing Housefull 5, with 5 times the laughter, 5 times the madness, and 5 times more confusion! Fans appreciate the franchise for its light-hearted entertainment and ability to deliver laughs. The franchise’s success has solidified its place in Indian cinema as a beloved comedy series.

    Production Company: Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment

    Producer: Sajid Nadiadwala

    Director: Tarun Mansukhani

    Cast: Akshay Kumar and Riteish Deshmukh

    Story By: Sajid Nadiadwala

    Writers: Tarun Mansukhani and Farhad Samji

    Ikkis (Hindi)

    A Biopic on Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal PVC, who is the most highly decorated hero of the 1971 War

    Production Company: Maddock Films Pvt. Ltd.

    Producers: Dinesh Vijan and Binny Padda

    Director: Sriram Raghavan

    Cast: Agastya Nanda, Dharmendra, and Jaideep Ahlawat

    Kanguva (Tamil)

    A story that travels 500 years from the 1700s to 2023 is about a hero who has to fulfil a mission left unfinished. A story of gratitude and fulfilment.

    Production Company: Studio Green

    Producer: K.E. Gnanavelraja

    Director: ‘Siruthai’ Siva

    Cast: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu and others

    Writers: ‘Siruthai’ Siva, Adi Narayana, and Madhan Karky

    Kantara – A Legend Chapter 1 (Kannada)

    There is no calamity greater than lavish desires. Such a calamity caused by a petty king ignites a rage in the heart of God’s chosen tribal leader.

    Production Company: Hombale Films LLP

    Producer: Vijay Kiragandur

    Director: Rishab Shetty

    Cast: Rishab Shetty

    Writer: Rishab Shetty

    Madgaon Express (Hindi)

    A caper comedy about three friends chasing their childhood dream trip to Goa, only to find it turning into an unexpected nightmare.

    Production Company: Excel Entertainment Pvt Ltd

    Producers: Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar

    Director: Kunal Kemmu

    Cast: Divyenndu, Pratik Gandhi, Avinash Tiwary, Nora Fatehi, Upendra Limaye, and Chhaya Kadam

    Writer: Kunal Kemmu

    Om Bheem Bush (Telugu)

    ‘Om Bheem Bush’ follows the thrilling journey of three young adventurers who find themselves embroiled in an unexpected treasure hunt. How they travel together and solve the treasure hunt forms the crux of the story

    Production Company: V Celluloid

    Producers: Sunil Balusu and Vamshi Krishna Reddy

    Director: Sree Harsha Konuganti

    Cast: Sree Vishnu, Priyadarshi, and Rahul Ramakrishna

    Writer: Sree Harsha Konuganti

    Rayaan (Tamil)

    Production Company: Sun Pictures

    Producer: SUN TV Network Limited

    Director: Dhanush

    Cast: Dhanush, SJ Suryah, Sundeep Kishan, Prakash Raj, Kalidas Jayaram, Dushara Vijayan, Aparna Balamurali, and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar

    Writer: Dhanush

    Music: AR Rahman

    Sanki (Hindi)

    After the success of Tadap, Sajid Nadiadwala presents Ahan Shetty & Pooja Hedge in Sanki.

    They are here to tell you a story of a young man whose life takes a dramatic turn after a pivotal event. As he delves into a quest for justice, he finds himself entangled in a suspenseful tale of action and mystery, filled with unexpected twists. Along the way, he encounters a mysterious girl whose presence adds emotional depth to his journey.

    Prepare for an exhilarating journey filled with electrifying action and heart-pounding romance, as a thrilling roller coaster ride awaits you!

    Production Company: Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment

    Producer: Sajid Nadiadwala

    Director: Adnan A Shaikh and Yasir Jah

    Cast: Ahan Shetty and Pooja Hegde

    Story By: Sajid Nadiadwala

    Writer: Rajat Aroraa

    Shoojit Sircar’s Next (Hindi)

    Sometimes life gives us a second chance,’ and for Arjun, who settled in the USA in pursuit of ‘The American Dream’, it’s an opportunity to rediscover and embrace the precious bond he shares with his daughter.

    Shoojit Sircar crafts an intrinsically emotional journey with an entertaining narrative through this story about a father and daughter as they navigate through life’s surprises. The film compels us to discover the true value of life’s fleeting moments, learning to cherish each one. This heartwarming tale is a ‘celebration of life’ in its everyday, ordinary chaos.

    Production Companies: Rising Sun Films Pvt. Ltd and Kino Works LLP

    Producers: Ronnie Lahiri and Sheel Kumar

    Director: Shoojit Sircar

    Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Johnny Lever, Ahilya Bamroo, and Jayant Kriplani

    Singham Again (Hindi)

    Production Companies: Rohit Shetty Picturez, Jio Studios, Devgn Films, Reliance Entertainment, and Cinergy

    Producer: Ajay Devgn, Rohit Shetty, and Jyoti Deshpande

    Director: Rohit Shetty

    Cast: Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Deepika Padukone, Tiger Shroff, and Arjun Kapoor

    Stree 2 (Hindi)

    In this sequel to the blockbuster film Stree, we revisit the small town of Chanderi years after the events of ‘Stree’, and we find that the town is being preyed on by a new threat. It falls to our ragtag group of friends, Vicky and company, to save the town once again.

    Production Companies: Maddock Films Pvt. Ltd. and Jio Studios

    Producers: Dinesh Vijan and Jyoti Deshpande

    Director: Amar Kaushik

    Cast: Shraddha Kapoor, Rajkumar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Abhishek Banerjee, and Aparshakti Khuranna

    Writer: Niren Bhatt

    Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya (Hindi)

    Aryan is not able to find a perfect life partner. He meets a perfect girl, Sifra, during an official assignment in the US and falls in love with her only to discover later that it’s an impossible love story.

    Production Companies: Maddock Films Pvt. Ltd. and Jio Studios

    Producers: Dinesh Vijan, Jyoti Deshpande, and Laxman Utekar  

    Directors: Amit Joshi and Aradhana Sah

    Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, Dharmendra, and Dimple Kapadia

    Writers: Amit Joshi and Aradhana Sah

    Thammudu (Telugu)

    Thammudu is the emotional story of a brother who goes to any extent to safeguard his sister from multiple challenges in her life. The story presents the beautiful bonding between siblings and how they overcome misunderstandings to continue their relationship.

    Production Company: Sri Venkateshwara Creations

    Producer: Dil Raju

    Director: Venu Sriram

    Cast: Nithiin, Sapthami, and Laya

    Writer: Venu Sriram

    Ustaad Bhagat Singh (Telugu)

    Ustaad Bhagat Singh is an entertaining action drama about an honest cop against corruption in the system. The story revolves around the innovative ways employed by a local cop to arrest corrupt officials and, at the same time, safeguard his family from them.

    Production Company: Mythri Movie Makers

    Producers: Y. Ravi Shankar and Naveen Yerneni

    Director: Harish Shankar

    Cast: Pawan Kalyan and Sreeleela

    Writers: Mithun Chaitanya, Dasaradh, and Harish Shankar

    Vaa Vaathiyaar (Tamil)

    A fanatic fan of legendary actor MGR raises his grandson like a reincarnation of MGR. But does he grow like MGR? What happens when he grows differently, which is in conflict with the ideals of his grandfather?

    Production Company: Studio Green

    Producer: K.E. Gnanavelraja

    Director: Nalan Kumarasamy

    Cast: Karthi, Sathyaraj, Raj Kiran, Krithi Shetty, Karunakaran and others

    Writer: Nalan Kumarasamy

    Music: Santhosh Narayanan

    Women of My Billion (Hindi)

    Women of My Billion tells the heart-wrenching and heart-warming story of the struggles, dreams, rights, and fight against all forms of violence that unite women in today’s India. The film follows Srishti’s journey of 3800 km over 240 days, from Kanyakumari in South India to Kashmir in the North. This is particularly relevant in the current climate, as the crisis it highlights has only been exacerbated since the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the lens of the UN SDG Changemaker Award winner and activist, we gain a unique perspective on the group that deserves to be respected, empowered, and protected.  

    Production Companies: Awedacious Originals in association with Purple Pebble Pictures

    Producers: Apoorva Bakshi and Priyanka Chopra Jonas

    Director: Ajitesh Sharma

    Cast: Srishti Bakshi, Neha Rai, Pragya Prasun, and Sangeeta Tiwari

    Yodha (Hindi)

    After failing at an important mission – years later, the system is shocked to find Arun on board in very mysterious circumstances on a hijacked flight. All evidence points towards Arun being on a mission for revenge against the system that snatched everything away from him. Is Arun a traitor, or is he the patriot that his father wished to be? It all unfolds in a high-octane action-packed thriller – 15,000 feet in the sky.

    Production Companies: Dharma Productions and Mentor Disciple Entertainment

    Producers: Hiroo Yash Johar, Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Shashank Khaitan

    Directors: Sagar Ambre and Pushkar Ojha

    Cast: Sidharth Malhotra, Raashi Khanna, and Disha Patani

    Writer: Sagar Ambre

    Yudhra (Hindi)

    Production Company: Excel Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

    Producers: Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar

    Director: Ravi Udyawar

    Cast: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Malavika Mohanan, Raghav Juyal, Ram Kapoor, Gajraj Rao, Raj Arjun, and Shilpa Shukla

    Writers: Farhan Akhtar and Shridhar Raghavan

     

  • Karan Johar & Mike Hopkins discuss Prime Video’s content priorities

    Karan Johar & Mike Hopkins discuss Prime Video’s content priorities

    Mumbai: At the Prime Video press conference held on 19 March 2024, Karan Johar and Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios head Mike Hopkins, unveiled insights into the global media business and the thriving Indian content landscape. Amidst discussions on content priorities and exciting future releases, they teased a peek into the world of Fallout, captivating the audience with anticipation.

    KJ: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the guiding light of this company and the man who’s making Prime Video a daily habit for millions across the world. Head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios Mike Hopkins.

    KJ: Mike Welcome back. How does it feel? I know that you’ve been here, and I speak for all of us here. You’ve been here before to our wonderful city before and to India several times, but how does it feel to be back, and what are you looking forward to most during your time here?

    MH: Well, thank you. Thank you. And boy, that was a great introduction. I think if that’s the kind of introduction I’m going get next time I come, I’m definitely going to have to come back soon. You had me blushing in the back there. But thank you for  doing this for us today. Appreciate it. I know you’re really busy. You’ve got a lot on your plate. In fact, I’ve been driving around Mumbai the last couple of days seeing the billboard to our new film coming out so I’m excited to learn more about that while I’m here too.

    But, I’m excited to be here. I’ve been to Mumbai half a dozen times in my career, and what I’m always impressed by is just the energy in India, and it’s just buzzing here in Mumbai when you’re around town.

    I started at Amazon about four years ago, right before the pandemic. And so, what I’m most excited about is being able to spend time with the team in person. You know, I got to introduce myself to everybody via Zoom. Like we were all doing for those years, and it’s just taken me a little bit of time to get to Mumbai. So, I’m excited to be here with our talented team and spend time with them. They’ve done a great job building an incredible service for our customers here in India. I’m also excited to be here because we have a really remarkable technology team here in India. We’re going down to Bangalore later this week to spend some time with them. I am so excited to do that. And of course, I’m looking forward to catching up with our storytellers and talent, who make so many fantastic shows and films for us here in India, and thank them for the partnership.

    And on top of all of that, I’m really here for the food. You know I am going to definitely return home with a few extra pounds. So, my wife will not be happy with that, but I can’t get enough. I can’t get enough of it.

    KJ: Well, thank you for all of that, Mike, and of course, the food does set us apart from every other cuisine in the world. But I’ll leave everyone with that ‘food for thought’ that this was an incredible lineup that we just saw. I mean, it was just breathtaking. The diversity of content in terms of movies and series and the abundant talent on display were just breathtaking. Congratulations to your spectacular team in India, who have done such an incredible job of pushing boundaries and really taking content to an altogether different level. Prime Video has a huge worldwide business, and it’s also more than just a subscription streaming service, as we all know. Can you talk to us and run us through your approach to building what is essentially a global media business?

    MH: Yeah, that’s right. You know, we definitely have a unique business model here at Amazon. But for our entertainment business, it really does start with Prime. And when you think of Prime, you think of shopping and shipping. Think of music and gaming. We have a reading service and a variety of benefits with that Prime membership, but of course we have Prime Video as well. You know customers can find their favorite movies and series all under one roof with Prime Video, whether you’re getting entertainment from Amazon, MGM Studios, our local partnerships, or things we’ve licensed around the world. We really start with Prime as our base.

    But I don’t know about you. I’ve noticed over the last few years that as content has been moving to streaming, it’s complicated. People aren’t always sure exactly where to go to get that movie, that TV series, or even that sport, depending on where they are in the world. And so one of the things we’ve spent a lot of time thinking about is how we can put all of that together in one place for customers. Now it’s not easy. You know, we haven’t succeeded everywhere in the world yet in putting all of their streaming content into one application but we are making a lot of progress. And what I mean by that is that we’ve approached streamers all over the world to join Prime Video; you can subscribe to them inside of our application. We’ve also built the world’s largest TVOD store, so more people rent and buy movies on Prime Video than any other store in the world. And then, if you’re not a subscriber or if you don’t want to subscribe to something, We also offer an array of AVOD content where you can watch TV and films without a subscription. We do that for the brand Free V around the world, and here in India, we have Mini TV, which is available on Prime Video and on our retail site. Speaking of Mini TV, our business is doing really well, where we’ve grown four times in overall watch time since 2023.

    KJ: Wow, Mike, if this is what you’ve done in the last four years, I can’t wait to see what happens in the next four or five years. You’ve been able to literally break through the ceiling of content creation, as well as what’s happening at Prime Video. It’s just that this is fantastic. And congratulations. This is a huge Herculean achievement, and you can take a lot of credit for that.

    MH: It’s a huge team effort. We have a lot of great people working here.

    KJ: Of course. As you focus on growth, where does India fit into the world of Prime Video?

    MH: Well, you know, famously, Jeff Bezos started Amazon in his garage in Seattle, Washington. And, you know, but I think early on, the first leadership team really felt that we were going to be a global company. But when we look at how we’re expanding into a new market or with new products, we really try to understand: can we solve customers’s problems? Were we good at something? Can we help solve pain points for customers? And so we really feel that we’ve started to do that with entertainment. And, so, as we look at the next 250 million subscribers that we’re going to acquire, they are definitely going to come from outside of the United States. And we’re not going to be able to achieve that unless we do a really good job for customers in India as well. So obviously, India is a key geographic area for us. We also believe in the story of India and the growth that’s been happening here over the last several years. In fact, you know, when I think about streaming television and I think of India, what’s remarkable is that I’ve heard many people say this week that more people are streaming TV and film than they’re watching it on linear television on satellite cable. And what’s remarkable about that is that streaming has only really existed for seven or eight years. So this is all happening remarkably fast. You know, at Amazon. We’ve used this phrase; it’s always Day 1. I mean, it is really Day 1 in streaming in India and around the world. But India is also a content hub. Right? I mean, people have been making great television and film in India, long before a streaming service launched. And so I’m happy to see so many of our creators and talents here today, and we’re going to get a preview of a lot of the programming that we had on stage a minute ago.

    But we’re also an innovation hub. I mentioned before that I’m going down to Bangalore, and I can’t wait to get down there and see all the innovations,  they’re planning for our servers and our product because, obviously, the programming is super important. And no one’s going to open up an application just for the product and the tech that’s behind it. But it sure makes it a lot better when the service is easy to use and responsive. And so teams are working hard on that.

    You know, for the last several years. We’ve been making a lot of progress in India, and I just have a couple of stats to just explain how things are going here. The first one is that for the last several years outside of the US, more people have signed up for Prime in India than anywhere else in the world. So think about that. That’s pretty good growth.

    The other thing about India is that more people sign up for Prime Video here than for any other benefit. So, more people in the world are signing up for Prime in India outside of the US. And Prime Video is the number one reason they sign up in India. The third thing I’ll say is that in the last year, India had the highest percentage of Prime members who streamed Prime Video than any other country in the world. So that’s why people enjoy Prime Video and Indian teams doing a great job, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be here.

    KJ: Congratulations. You mentioned that television was around way before streaming began. And would you say that arguably some of our best content on television was actually way back in the 80s, when we really broke ground, and then, of course, there were different kinds of content that came post that, but I think Prime Video is really pushing the envelope when it comes to long format, storytelling, and new content in terms of the creation of films. And, you know, just basically bringing so much of an entire influx of tremendous talent into the business that even cinema can leverage it and actually become better films.

    We just got a sneak peek into all the great content that is going to come to Prime Video over the next couple of years. Prime India, of course, has done a great job with local originals becoming part of pop culture, literally, each moment of the day. We realize that you’ve touched on this already, but I’m really curious to know how Indian content is being received globally.

    MH: It’s being received incredibly well. Let me give you a couple of interesting facts. The first one is that in any given week in 2023, Indian content was watched in over 210 countries and territories worldwide on Prime Video. So that’s a lot of places watching Indian content. The second thing is that Indian programming trended in the top 10 on Prime Video worldwide for 43 out of the 52 weeks of 2023.

    KJ: Wow, that is fantastic.

    MH: So, you know, that’s important. That’s all really important, but we always say, and we know, we make local programming in many countries around the world, but the core tenet for us is that if it doesn’t work in the country you’re making it, you probably shouldn’t be making it. And so that’s where we start: how can we still tell authentic stories with creators in the country that resonate with customers in India? If we can do that, and it can work outside of the country. We’ve really knocked it out of the park.

    Shows that are working the best for us, both here and internationally, are Farzi, Indian Police Force, Poacher, The Family Man, Made in Heaven, and many more that resonate all over the world. And so we couldn’t be more thrilled with what’s going on here. And so do our customers around the globe.

    KJ:All the shows you mentioned are household names in our country, and you know, that is something that we’re always very proud of as content creators ourselves.

    That was enlightening, Mike. Thank you. But before I let you go, one last question for you: What are some of your key content priorities in the near future?

    MH: Yeah, we have a lot going on with teams doing a great job not only here in India but back in the States, where we produce a lot of our global programming. You know, today we have over 200 million Prime members around the world in 240 countries. From an Indian perspective, you just saw the incredible lineup that we put together—over 70 shows and films coming over the next couple of years—and you’ll get to see a lot of those highlighted today. From a global perspective, We couldn’t be more excited to deliver some global tentpole programming this year. We’ve got the second season of The Lord of the Rings, The Rings of Power, coming this year. We’ve got another season of The Boys coming. We’re super excited about Citadel Honey Bunny, which is a local franchise. Citadel is our global multicountry franchise, and we’re doing another one in Italy as well. We also have a fast-growing young adult audience, and we’re really focused on that audience because, you know, obviously you’re in India as a young country. That’s true in many countries around the world. So we’ve seen success with things like the Summer I Turned Pretty international originals, like My Fault, out of Spain. content like adult animation content, like Invincible and Has Been Hotel. So those are some television series we’re really excited about; on the film front, we have two movies that both actually just premiered at South by Southwest last couple of weeks. The first is The Idea of You with Anne Hathaway, and it’s actually set a record for the number of streams on a trailer for a streaming film ever. Just this past week, and then we have Roadhouse, the remake of the Patrick Swayze movie, coming in a couple of weeks. So we’re excited about those. And just today, when I woke up this morning, I opened up my phone, and I saw that we had just announced, because it was kind of leaked, so you know how that goes. And so it went out today… We just announced an ambitious news show from Mr. Beast with 1,000 contestants vying for a $5 million prize. Mr Beast is aiming to create the largest game show in the history of the world. And we couldn’t be more excited. Take that show out, show that format, and supersize it.

    And then, we have a really big show that we’re super excited about premiering this year called Fallout. This is super special for us, it’s based on one of the greatest video games of all time. And so Fallout is the story of the haves and have-nots of the world, in a world where there’s really nothing much left to have. The series comes to us from Kilter Films, and executive producers Jonah Nolan and Lisa Joy, the creators of Westworld.

    KJ: Wow, that’s all you left me gobsmacked with all of that. Mike, this is amazing. Thank you for your insights. Thank you for all the valuable information you’ve shared with us. But I do believe that we’re excited about the fact that you have a mega prize up your sleeve. Shall we give all our friends gathered here a peek into the world of Fallout?

    MH: Well, you didn’t think I’d come all this way alone, did you? So I thought it’d be fun to have you here directly from our characters and lead actress of Fallout.

    KJ: Well, we’ll have to fall out of here for us to see fall out. Thank you, Mike.

  • News9 Plus introduces attractive subscription offers to viewers

    News9 Plus introduces attractive subscription offers to viewers

    Mumbai: News9 Plus, the world’s first news OTT, launched by TV9 Network, has announced a range of subscription plans, designed to provide unparalleled value to subscribers seeking diverse and engaging content. With News9 Plus, subscribers gain access to a wide range of offerings, making the platform an exceptional investment for those eager to stay informed and entertained.

    Subscribers can choose from flexible subscription plans tailored to suit their preferences and needs. Options include 30-day, 90-day, and 365-day plans, priced at Rs 99, Rs 289, and Rs 999, respectively. Each plan grants subscribers access to an array of premium content across formats, including short documentaries, lifestyle content and cerebral talk shows.

    In addition to exclusive content, subscribers to the annual plan on News9 Plus receive complimentary gifts valued at Rs 3,000 and gain access to 17 exclusive brand benefits. This comprehensive offering ensures that subscribers not only receive exceptional content but also enjoy a range of additional perks and rewards.

    “News9 Plus is at the frontier of a much-needed paradigm shift in the news industry. Over-reliance on advertising revenue has brought this industry to a situation where the viability of the business is under pressure. Subscription as an added revenue source is a low-hanging fruit. We need to revive the habit where consumers subscribe for premium content. The news industry will thereby be able to tap into India’s biggest strength, the consuming middle class, through direct commerce”, said TV9 Network MD and CEO Barun Das.

    The platform’s commitment to delivering value extends beyond its subscription plans. From an editorial standpoint, News9 Plus has garnered praise for its innovative approach to storytelling and world-class production standards. Always ahead of the curve, the OTT platform goes beyond traditional news headlines, offering in-depth, exclusive stories across various genres, including geopolitics, business, sports, lifestyle, and infotainment.

    The platform also offers a user-friendly interface, ensuring seamless navigation and self-curation. Both the News9 Plus app and its website have received accolades for their intuitive layout and engaging features.

  • Yuvaa’s latest endeavour ‘Sisterhood’ celebrates womanhood

    Yuvaa’s latest endeavour ‘Sisterhood’ celebrates womanhood

    Mumbai: Yuvaa, India’s beloved Gen Z impact, research, and media organisation, launched its women’s day initiative – ‘Sisterhood’ with an exclusive, invite-only slumber party.

    The event brought women from all walks of life together under one roof to celebrate womanhood and honour each other’s journeys. The night kicked off with a panel discussion about what women desire in their personal and professional lives. The panel, curated in collaboration with Max Life Insurance, used the brand’s latest IPQ (India Protection Quotient) 6.0 study to underline the importance of financial awareness and planning. Featuring a stellar lineup of Neha Dhupia, Faye D’Souza, Anshula Kapoor, and Aastha Shah, the conversation highlighted the importance of the awareness surrounding financial security. “There are difficult decisions that are emotionally taxing, but they shouldn’t be financially taxing as well. Which means you need to have enough money to quit that job, to walk out of that relationship if you need to, to do whatever it is you need to do,” Faye D’Souza said while sharing her thoughts on how important it is for women to be financially independent and secure. “It’s important to have your financial independence. It doesn’t have to be a lot of money, and you don’t have to reach a certain amount of zeros in your bank account as long as you know your money is yours,” actor Neha Dhupia added on the same topic. The discussion utilized information from Yuvaa’s latest insights report ‘That’s What Sis Said’ – an understanding of women’s preferences, desires, and aspirations from brands that cater to them, from their workplace and from their friendships and relationships.

    Speaking of the association with Yuvaa, Max Life Insurance chief marketing officer Rahul Talwar said, “Max Life remains steadfast in its commitment to trust and recognizes the vital role of financial planning in securing India’s future. The sixth edition of our marquee study, India Protection Quotient (IPQ), emphasizes the critical need for financial empowerment across diverse sections, particularly among women. As part of our focus on developing integrated marketing plans that resonate with Gen Z and Millennials, partnering with Yuvaa for International Women’s Day was a strategic decision. Yuvaa’s ability to connect with younger audiences perfectly aligns with our brand ethos and goals. As advocates for financial empowerment, we were particularly drawn to Yuvaa’s ability to connect with young women. The Sisterhood Slumber Party’s focus on Gen Z women influencers presented a unique opportunity to raise financial awareness amongst this growing demographic. Through partnerships like this, we aim to enable diverse communities with the knowledge and tools they need to take control of their financial futures, making informed decisions that pave the way for long-term security and success.”

    Yuvaa head of creative strategy Anusha Shetty also expressed her thoughts on the event, saying, “Sisterhood is the cornerstone of every woman’s journey, both personally and professionally. Through Sisterhood, we aim to create a space where women uplift and support each other, fostering a sense of belongingness. Personally, Sisterhood has been instrumental in my own growth and development, reminding me of the strength that lies in solidarity and sisterhood. At Yuvaa, we’ve championed women-centric initiatives, from our mindful hiring practices to projects like ‘You Grow Girl’ with Navya Nanda and now the ‘UnstreeOtype’ podcast. These endeavours are a testament to our commitment to amplifying young women’s voices and reshaping societal narratives. Sisterhood is not just a concept but a lived experience that drives positive change and celebrates the diversity and resilience of women everywhere.”

    Another highlight of the night was when the legendary thespian Ratna Pathak Shah took the stage for a deeply insightful Ask Me Anything (AMA) session with the audience. Known for her work in Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai, Kapoor & Sons, Dhak Dhak, and more, Ratna Pathak Shah charmed the audience with her wisdom and warm energy. She said – “Stree dhan should be stree dhan – it doesn’t matter if it’s given by your parents or you earn it for yourself. Financial independence is a must.”

    Yuvaa also gave the audience a sneak peek into their upcoming podcast – ‘UnstreeOtype.’ A special collaboration between Yuvaa and Amazon Music, the podcast aims to shatter age-old stereotypes that society imposes on women. Featuring an impressive lineup of guests like Uorfi Javed, Richa Chadha, Rasika Dugal, Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju, Barkha Singh, and Suchitra Pillai among others, the podcast will stream exclusively on Amazon Music starting 12 March. Later, Uorfi Javed herself took the stage for a spirited fireside chat moderated by popular Instagram creator Saumya Sahni. The conversation dove into her life, choices, and media image while also talking about her newly launched podcast ‘Uncancellable.’ She spoke about finding inspiration in the women she encounters every day. “I find inspiration every day, in everyone I meet. Today I have come here and met these beautiful women – I feel inspired by them,” she said.

    The event also had an interactive quiz that tested the audience’s ‘financial wisdom’ hosted by popular Instagram creator Vanika Sangtani, titled ‘Wo-money-a.’ Furthermore, domestic worker turned comedian, and internet sensation, Deepika Mhatre performed a vibrant stand-up comedy set that had the audience in splits. Krittika Kannojia, a Dalit, queer creator, and an alumnus of Yuvaa Pride Class – a celebration of young, queer voices – announced the 2024 edition of Yuvaa Pride Class. Finally, the night was capped off by an energetic performance by the Konkan Kanya Band.

    In the past, Yuvaa has been in the news for its work around gender sensitivity and empowerment. In 2023, the company traveled across the country with Navya Nanda on its roadshow titled ‘You Grow Girl’ in partnership with L’Oréal – aimed at spreading awareness about street harassment. The launch of Sisterhood is yet another resounding victory for Yuvaa – one that is bound to change the way we celebrate everything about women.

  • Hungama Digital brings top female voices as jury members for Women Game Changers – 2024

    Hungama Digital brings top female voices as jury members for Women Game Changers – 2024

    Mumbai: Hungama Digital, India’s leading digital entertainment company, announces the jury panel for the brand’s renowned Women Game Changers 2024 initiative. The annual event returns this year, continuing its efforts to empower women by honouring 50 extraordinary women who are making remarkable achievements across diverse industries.

    This year’s board includes leaders and experts from various industries with each member offering a unique perspective and experience. The achievers for 2024 will undergo careful inspection and rounds of selection conducted by this board. The panel includes stalwarts from the entertainment industry, including Megha Tata – Media consultant, ex-CEO Cosmos, ex-MD Discovery Communications, Kanan Rai – ex business head, Google Play, Merlin D’souza – music director, Nirmika Singh – founder MOX Asia and ex executive-editor Rolling Stones, Raunaq Roy – vice president, Hungama Digital Media, Preeta Sukhtankar – founder, The Label Life, Soumini Sridhara Paul – SVP artist aloud & content Youtube, Hungama Digital Media,  Poornima Seetharaman – director of Design, Zynga and Sonia Parasnis, VP, creative & content programming.

    Speaking on the announcement, Hungama Digital Media Pvt Ltd SVP Raunaq Roy said, “We are proud to have brought together our passionate jury panel representing excellence from the core areas of the entertainment industry across film, music, and gaming. Through this annual program, we plan to spotlight the third cohort of women who are not just breaking glass ceilings but building bridges for others to follow. We proudly elevate their stories, successes, and trailblazing spirit, amplifying their impact on the entertainment Industry.”

    Adding on, Phantom Movies CEO Shrishti Behl said, “These Gamechangers embody the spirit of progress and innovation, and their collective expertise will ensure a fair and empowering platform for all women across entertainment. I am excited about an industry driven by inclusivity and equality.”

    The professionals bestowed with the recognition as ‘Game Changes’ will be announced on Hungama’s website on 1 April 2024, i.e. The Hungama Day. Following the announcement, the winners will be invited to a podcast where they will share intriguing insights from their journeys.

    In the last year of WGC 2023, the Gamechangers were given an opportunity to be a panellist at the Conceit Nexus 2023, an invite to the iOS Developer Conference: Women in App Development, sponsored access to Mumbai’s Tech Week 2024 and early access to the panel plus networking event at IGX (India’s largest gaming expo) 2024.

  • Shark Tank India: iDreamCareer bags Rs 1.10 crore deal from Ritesh Agarwal & Aman Gupta

    Shark Tank India: iDreamCareer bags Rs 1.10 crore deal from Ritesh Agarwal & Aman Gupta

    Mumbai: Shark Tank India Season 3, which debuted on 22 January 2024, remains a riveting watch, showcasing a dynamic array of entrepreneurs and their compelling pitches.

    The latest episode of Shark Tank Season 3 witnessed iDreamCareer founder Ayush Bansal & co-founder Squadron Leader N Praveen Kumar bagged a deal of Rs 1.10 crore from Ritesh Agarwal & Aman Gupta. The founders introduced the sharks about the need for career guidance among students. With the vision to help more young students achieve their career goals, it is the first-ever career counselling platform that took the stage of Shark Tank India 3.

    iDreamCareer is India’s leading career counseling brand that offers comprehensive career & college guidance to students in schools & colleges. It has empowered one million plus students and has partnered with top corporates, private schools, and government institutions to make career guidance accessible for students, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds.

    During their pitch, the sharks were impressed by the social impact created by the company. However, Peyush Bansal (founder of Lenskart) was not convinced by the business model of the company and that the company should look at expanding one of the business models.

    Sharks Aman & Ritesh resonated strongly with the problem that iDreamCareer is solving; to give career & college guidance to young students.

    Later the company got a deal of Rs 1.10 Crore at 60 crore valuation from Aman Gupta (founder of boAt) & Ritesh Agarwal (founder of OYO). The deal comprised Rs 60 lakh equity and the rest of Rs 50 lakh as eight per cent interest debt for two years.

    iDreamCareer’s last funding round was in 2022 where it raised Rs 12.50 Crore from Menterra Social Impact Fund, Gray Matters Capital & Artha Impact.

  • Amazon miniTV presents spectacular roster of International hits for March

    Amazon miniTV presents spectacular roster of International hits for March

    Mumbai: Amazon miniTV – Amazon’s free video streaming service is all set to stream a delightful feast of entertainment.  March is all set to bring an exciting lineup of international shows dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu under “miniTV imported” for all the drama lovers. Kick-starting the binge fest, the streaming service dropped the eye-catching poster, offering a glimpse into the world of the globally acclaimed shows with captivating narratives, charismatic chemistry, and an international aesthetic setting. From romance and drama to action and fantasy, Amazon miniTV is all set to serve a diverse entertainment lineup with shows ranging across Korean, Mandarin, and Turkish languages including Dreams and Realities, Love Puzzle, Marriage Contract, and Breaking Dawn, all dubbed in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil and Original.

    From slice-of-life dramas to romantic comedies, heart-wrenching love stories, and adrenaline-pumping crime action cop dramas, there’s something for everyone to watch. From the inspiring story of four young women chasing their ambitions in Dreams and Realities; to the story of a young woman’s marriage plans being upended when she’s deceived by her fiancé, leading to an encounter with a misunderstood genius in Love Puzzle. The intriguing narrative of Marriage Contract will take viewers through the love story of two people tied together as they deal with the inevitability of death, bold honor, and sacrificial love. Breaking Dawn is an action-packed drama that follows a team of cops as they crack serial cases, fight the crusade against drugs, and bring down an international crime syndicate.

    Amazon miniTV head of content Amogh Dusad shared, “Our diverse international content library dubbed in Indian languages is aimed at providing entertainment to viewers across the country. From the energy of K-dramas to the heartfelt narratives of Turkish and Mandarin dramas, the international content slate is capturing the hearts and minds of through its universal appeal and we couldn’t be happier in playing a role for the viewers in India for free.”

    The international shows will stream in Original, Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil, exclusively on ‘Amazon miniTV Imported’ for free within Amazon’s shopping app and Fire TV and Play Store.