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Tag: Amazon Prime Video India

  • Audience open to stories that push imagination: Amazon Prime Video’s Vijay Subramaniam

    Audience open to stories that push imagination: Amazon Prime Video’s Vijay Subramaniam

    MUMBAI: The steaming boom in India has unleashed the creativity of storytellers across the country. While several barriers to freedom of storytelling have disappeared with the entry of the over-the-top (OTT) platforms, a considerable expansion in content themes is noticeable too. Hence, streaming services have led to an evolution in consumers’ content preference and taste along with their viewing habit. Amazon Prime Video India content director and head Vijay Subramaniam says on a happy note that people are definitely open to stories that push their imagination.

    “Everybody is hungry for a compelling fresh take on stories. People are definitely open to stories that push their imagination, that are smart, that are authentic. These are things that people really care about. You look at the success of Four More Shots Please, truly authentic, feminine gaze about women, unashamedly front and center. So I think it's great validation and understanding that customers are open and keen on embracing this kind of story,” Subramaniam shares during a conversation.

    Subramaniam says that 2019 was mounting in terms of film content too as there were lots of big films, in the various languages, not just in Hindi. He also adds that it’s very encouraging to see creators and producers getting more ambitious with the kind of stories they want to tell cinematically, and that's good for customers, whether they are watching it in theatres or own devices. He thinks it is equally encouraging to see high concept stories winning the other end of the spectrum which allows producers to think on both ends of the spectrum.

    “2019 was interesting (for Amazon Prime Video). The ramping up content takes some time and I think in 2019, we were able to come close to a full suite when it came to our films. We will be committed to expanding the overall coverage by adding four more Indian languages Malayalam, Kannada, Gujarati and Punjabi. I think our selection in the film when it came to Hindi, Tamil, Telugu besides Hollywood, we were able to take it up a few notches whilst getting started on the other four languages,” he comments.

    He also mentions that it was the first year for Amazon Prime Video India to put returning seasons of the shows including Comicstaan Season Two and Inside Edge season Two. The returning seasons and putting up content more frequently helped in lot of learnings. According to him, 2019 has prepped them well for next few years and helped them to improve some of the processes including how they go about bringing content to customers, marketing along with other elements.

    Talking about the challenges, he says that creatively still the amount of time it takes to bring a good show together remains. While he also mentions there is no shortcut for that, he adds that as people get better with craft and the whole framework of long-form, they will be able to generate things faster. They are also ramping up the content in development on their side, so the pipeline becomes fatter and content cones quicker.

    “I think, from an expansion standpoint, some of the languages we'd like to do a lot more in, is constrained by the, the dynamics of the marketplace, there's just not enough high quality content to go and acquire. And that remains, I mean, but that's also descriptive of the nature of that local market. That's something that will evolve as we show more interest and I am pretty hopeful more creators will step forward,” he adds.

    “Customers today have their specific interests. And alongside those specific interests, they have this large overlapping interest as well. So they detach when it when they need to go to their specific interest. And they reconnect when it when the interest are common. So when it comes to stand up comedy, young adults love, they have their own  different flavors, but all of them congregate to watch Family Man or War because it's broadly appealing. So it's very interesting to see that and therefore, it's important to make sure that the Thali (content slate) has enough variety in it, but at the same time that it's not for the sake of it, but because people actually have different tastes while there is something right in the middle, which is the main-course,” he brings up one of the interesting leanings from the last year.

    Amazon Prime Video is expected to release 10-12 originals in 2020. Moreover, Subramaniam says that they will continue to grow the platform’s language selection. The platform will ramp up its language catalogue in Malayalam, Kannada, Gujarati and Punjabi while they want to take up Tamil, Telugu further a few notches. The platform looks at going deeper across its content verticals whether it's films, originals or stand up comedy.  The platform promises to stay committed to continuously improving the overall customer experience including product, content, UX, UI.

    “I think for us from a content lens, it's important to continue to look at India with all of its diversity , the Indianness, the local language elements whilst telling stories that continue to, you know, remain in different spaces, bringing people together,” he states. 

  • Amazon Prime Video to launch ‘The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye’ on 24 Jan

    Amazon Prime Video to launch ‘The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye’ on 24 Jan

    MUMBAI: Amazon Prime Video has launched the trailer launch of its first Indian Original releasing in 2020 – the highly anticipated Amazon Original Series The Forgotten Army- Azaadi Ke Liye. 

    Created and Directed by the national award winning filmmaker, Kabir Khan, the war epic is based on true events and narrates the journey of the extraordinary young brave men and women who formed a part of the Indian National Army (INA) and fought against the British for India’s Independence. The series marks the digital debut of Sunny Kaushal and the acting debut of Sharvari in lead roles, alongside Rohit Choudhary, Karanvir Malhotra, M.K Raina, TJ Bhanu and Shruti Seth.  

    The Forgotten Army- Azaadi Ke Liye is set to release across 200 countries and territories on January 24, 2020, exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.

    Amazon Prime Video India director and head, content Vijay Subramaniam, said “We have had a great run in 2019 and are delighted to open the new year with one of our biggest shows till date. The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye, is a story close to our hearts and one that Kabir has wanted to make for over 20 years. It is the ultimate example of the engaging content we want to continue to create in India for Prime Video – compelling stories with world class production values. We’re extremely proud to bring this show to our audiences and fittingly, on this Republic Day weekend.  We are sure they will enjoy watching it.”

    Creator and director, Kabir Khan said, “Being the first script I’ve ever written, The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye is a project I am very passionate about. It is a tale that is larger than life and bringing it to screen would not have been possible without the support and trust exhibited by Amazon Prime Video. The journey of these soldiers of the INA is a story that needs to be told and it has taken several years of extensive research to gather fragmented memories of these incredibly brave men and women who fought so selflessly for India’s independence. The reaction to the teaser alone has been overwhelming and I hope the audience gives the same kind of love to the show as well. This project has been a labour of love – from custom creating hundreds of bicycles from the 1940s, to recreating the Singapore of that era, to finding just the right cast to give life to these characters, our only effort has been to truly represent the journey of these fiercely brave men and women to whom we owe our freedom.”

  • Line between international & Indian content blurring: Amazon Prime Video’s Aparna Purohit at Vidnet 2019

    Line between international & Indian content blurring: Amazon Prime Video’s Aparna Purohit at Vidnet 2019

    MUMBAI: Sensing the wide array of opportunities in the Indian video streaming market, major international platforms have dived in to take a share out of it. Amazon Prime Video is one of the players which have built an impressive slate of local content with hits like Breathe, Made in Heaven, Mirzapur and The Family Man amidst the intense streaming battle. As the platform has a presence across the world with a large international content catalogue, Amazon Prime Video India Originals head Aparna Purohit said the line between Indian and international content is blurring.

    At the stage of Vidnet 2019 organised by indiantelevision.com, Purohit shared her interesting insights on the market in a short but freewheeling chat with The Linus Adventures founder and chief evangelist Sunil Lulla, a media veteran with extraordinary experience in the industry.

    “The lines between here and there, international and India (content) are blurring. The Marvelous Mrs.Maisel, Jack Ryan connects with us as much as Made in Heaven, Breathe, The Family man trends across the world. So, I think those lines are blurring. But I really want to tell stories of us. We are a nation of storytellers,” Purohit said.

    Lulla started the chat curious to know the stories she is chasing now. Purohit said she is always after good, compelling, exciting stories that are deeply rooted within Indian but has resilience across the world; stories that will transcend boundaries of ethnicity, caste, religion, gender, etc.

    “Different people get excited about different stories. Fortunately, we have a full range of stories. My father can get excited about the stories we have, my three-year-old niece can get excited about stories. We have romance, psychological thriller, and political satire so we hope we are getting everyone excited,” she added as the chat progressed.   

    She also added that the platform has a full array of stories including exciting unscripted shows that are coming up in the comedy genre. Moreover, the platform’s popular series Inside Edge is returning for a second season along with an exciting period drama, a musical romance.

    She also added that Amazon recognises that people like to consume content in the language they prefer. In addition to Hindi content, the platform is now creating a directory of content in regional languages. It already has content in ten languages. She also pointed out that shows like The Family Man have actors from the south, up north, Kashmir and Maharashtra.

    “For us everything is customer-backward. It’s our customers that make us relevant. We try to see what is the need gap that exists,” she answered when Lulla asked about Amazon’s meaning of relevance in India.

    “Even for me understanding the consumer is extremely important. I would not say our consumer is just one kind of a person. An educated working liberated woman like me, a smart, entrepreneurial person like you, it could be a retired government official like my father sitting at home and watching our content, it’s like my uncle sitting in a remote town – our audience is varied. Now we have footprints in 400 cities of the country,” she commented on the importance of consumer understanding.

    There have been talks on how Amazon Prime Video and Netflix are spoiling the Indian market with their deep pockets and increasing the cost of content for others. Purohit said creative people can never be owned and they never have the intent of owning anybody.

    She said that what they are doing is trying to create a cinematic TV experience. Every show is like three and a half or four films. No matter who looks at the show, Indian or internationally, it should never look like it isn’t international.

    As saas-bahu saga is largely tagged as TV content, Lulla asked how this filtration has been done. Purohit said that they will also have shows involving families where there will be mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, and daughters-in-law.

    “We just got started. We just touched the tip of the iceberg. There are so many marvellous stories to be told. There will be an ecosystem where writers and creators will be respected. We will tell all kinds of stories that can never get a platform,” she added further on probable progress in the next five years.

    “The interesting thing about this medium is that it’s not formulated. It's not driven by any options like box-office. So, we can cast any actor. We can truly cast a character freely,” she said towards the end of the engaging session.

  • Prime Video releases first look of new Amazon Original Series, The Family Man, shot on OnePlus

    Prime Video releases first look of new Amazon Original Series, The Family Man, shot on OnePlus

    MUMBAI: Amazon Prime Video today released the first look of its much-awaited Amazon Original Series The Family Man, in the form of a character poster shot on a OnePlus smartphone. Marking a first of its kind reveal, this association is an extension of the long-standing partnership between OnePlus and Amazon.

    The first official character poster features Srikant Tiwari – the lead protagonist, played by Padma Shri Awardee and National Award winner Manoj Bajpayee, shot exclusively on a OnePlus smartphone. Created by the dynamic duo of Krishna D.K. and Raj Nidimoru, Amazon Original Series The Family Man is set to release this September, exclusively on Amazon Prime Video across 200 countries and territories. The trailer for the show releases September 5.

    In addition to the first look poster, OnePlus will also be setting up interactive billboards across India that audiences can engage with using the camera on their smartphones to access exclusive virtual content about the show.

    “India is a mobile first country and a large number of our customers love to watch Amazon Prime Video on their smartphones. We constantly look to engage and delight this fast-growing customer base with our compelling content and innovative marketing initiatives. We are excited about this unique collaboration with OnePlus for our latest Amazon Original The Family Man, which includes the first reveal of the character poster, that was shot exclusively on a OnePlus phone.  We look forward to delighting our ardent mobile-first customers with this sneak peek into the compelling and gritty world of The Family Man,” Amazon Prime Video India director and country GM Gaurav Gandhi said.

    “With our smartphones, we are constantly thinking of different ways in which we can engage our community in new ways. Our association with Amazon Prime Video is a result of the synergy between both brands and our common philosophy and it seemed like a very natural fit to unveil the new Amazon Original Series, The Family Man character poster through an image shot on a OnePlus device,” OnePlus India generale manager Vikas Agarwal said.

  • Amazon Prime Video renews ‘Mirzapur’ S2

    Amazon Prime Video renews ‘Mirzapur’ S2

    MUMBAI: Amazon Prime Video has announced the second season of Mirzapur within two months of premiering its first season. Season 2 of show is produced by Excel Media and Entertainment, created by Puneet Krishna and directed by Gurmmeet Singh.

    It has also announced the green lighting of more than 20 new and returning Prime Original Series to go into production in the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, India, Japan and Mexico. All episodes of its first season are available to binge-watch.

    Amazon Prime Video India, director and head of content, Vijay Subramaniam, said, “We are committed to creating compelling stories with powerful characters, gripping narratives and world class production values.  We are thrilled with the response to Mirzapur’s first season from our customers and we are happy to be working with the amazing team at Excel Media and Entertainment for another bold and powerful narrative for the next season of the show.”

    The show will go into production this year before being released on Prime Video in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.

    Excel Media and Entertainment' co-founder Farhan Akhtar said, “It is exciting to see that global audiences are responding well to the kind of content we are creating. It started with Inside Edge being nominated for an International Emmy and now Mirzapur being watched & loved across India and globally; we are glad that both shows have been renewed for the next season giving us another chance to showcase Indian stories on a global stage.”

    Excel Media and Entertainment co-founder Ritesh Sidhwani said, “Mirzapur has been our dream project and to quickly follow the first season with a season two announcement underlines our efforts to create best-n-class content for our online global audiences. The show gave us an opportunity to challenge ourselves and explore new subjects and territories. Now, we look forward to taking our story to another level of cinematic experience in the next season with Amazon Prime Video.”

  • Amazon Prime Video greenlights six new India originals, Mirzapur to get season two

    Amazon Prime Video greenlights six new India originals, Mirzapur to get season two

    MUMBAI: Amazon Prime Video today announced the greenlighting of more than 20 new and returning Prime Original Series to go into production in the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, India, Japan and Mexico. In addition to delighting local audiences, many of the Prime Original series will be available to stream for a global audience on Prime Video in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.

    “We’re delighted to announce the commissioning of more than twenty new and returning series, to be produced in seven countries across three continents around the world. We know that customers watching Prime Video everywhere want to see authentic stories, set in their own countries, and to invest in characters that can reflect their own experiences and diversity,” said Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios. “We’re excited and committed to amplifying the voices of storytellers from all over the world and to bring their visions to life for our viewers worldwide.”

    “We know our worldwide audience are thirsty for local shows from the best local voices, and we’ve already seen a great customer reaction from Prime Original international series such as the UK’s The Grand Tour and All or Nothing: Manchester City, Germany’s You Are Wanted, India’s Breathe and Mirzapur, Mexico’s Un extraño enemigo and LOL: Last One Laughing and Japan’s Hitoshi Matsumoto Presents Documental,” said James Farrell, Head of International Originals. “As well as delighting local audiences, we’re excited to showcase the work of these talented local writers, directors, producers and actors to be enjoyed by an international audience of more than 100 million Prime members worldwide.”

     New Prime Original series announced today include:

    The Power – UK

    The contemporary global ten-part thriller The Power is written and created by award-winning British author Naomi Alderman, and based on Alderman’s international best-selling and award winning novel. The Power will be produced by Sister Pictures and is Executive Produced by Jane Featherstone (Broadchurch, The Split, Utopia), Naomi de Pear (The Bisexual, Flowers), Naomi Alderman and Reed Morano (The Handmaid’s Tale), who will also direct. The series is produced by Tim Bricknell (Trust, Taboo) and will be shot on location around the world. The Power is the latest UK Prime Original drama series to go into production, and will premiere on Amazon Prime Video worldwide in over 200 countries and territories.

    La Templanza – Spain

    The new Spanish Prime Original drama La Templanza is a dramatic love story set in the 1860's spanning Mexico, Cuba, London and Spain. The series is based on the eponymous bestselling novel by María Dueñas produced by Atresmedia Studios. La Templanza will go into production in 2019, before being released on Prime Video in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.

    El Cid – Spain

    Created and produced by Zebra Producciones and written by Luis Arranz and Adolfo Martinez, the new Spanish Prime Original series, El Cid, retells from a contemporary perspective the story of the most famous Spaniard in history, a man trapped between two worlds and two cultures. A nobleman, a hero, a mercenary, a vassal, but also a man who could have been king. El Cid was centuries ahead of his time and became transcended by his own legend. Production will start in 2019 leading to a release in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.

    Untitled drama series – Italy

    Written by celebrated Italian writers Nicola Guaglianone and Menotti, the first ever Italian Prime Original drama series is a crime drama set in Milan in the late eighties which tells the story of a shy, insecure teenager who becomes the youngest member of the mafia, not for money, ambition or the desire of power, but to win the love of her father. Produced by Lorenzo Mieli and Mario Gianani's Wildside for Amazon Studios, the show will begin filming in 2019 before launching exclusively on Prime Video in over 200 countries and territories around the world.

    Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo – Germany

    A new German Prime Original series, Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo, is based on the controversial 1978 autobiographical book of the same name [We Children of Bahnhof Zoo]. Adapted for television under head writer Annette Hess (Weissensee, Ku'damm 56/59) and her writers room, this new series tells the story of Christiane F. and her dysfunctional friends, who as teenagers descend into the gritty drug scene of 1970’s West-Berlin. Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo is a modern re-telling of a shocking but compelling story. Produced by Oliver Berben (The Verdict, Shades of Guilt I + II, The Typist, Perfume, Shadowhunters) and Sophie von Uslar (NSU – German History X, Tannbach – Line of Separation) for Constantin Television, the series will go into production in 2019 before being released on Prime Video in Germany. Philipp Kadelbach (Perfume, Generation War, SS-GB) will be directing.

    Bandish Bandits – India

    A new Indian Prime Original, Bandish Bandits is a romantic musical created by Still and Still Media Collective. Directed by Anand Tiwari and written by Amritpal Singh Bindra, Bandish Bandits is a young, dynamic love story between Radhe, a skilled Indian classical singer shackled by centuries of tradition and Tamanna, a free-spirited pop star who makes up for her mediocre talent with her skills as a seasoned performer. Despite coming from very different worlds, the two set out together on a journey of self-discovery to see if opposites, though they might attract, can also adapt and go the long haul. Bandish Bandits will launch exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in 2019 for customers in India and across 200 countries and territories.

    The Last Hour – India

    Created and directed by Amit Kumar (Monsoon Shootout), with Oscar-winning director Asif Kapadia (Amy) as Executive Producer, the new Indian Prime Original, The Last Hour is a crime thriller with a supernatural twist set in a small picturesque hill station in the Himalayas. The Last Hour will go into production in January 2019 before being released on Prime Video in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.

    Untitled drama thriller series – India

    Created by Sudip Sharma (writer of NH 10 & Udta Punjab) and produced by Clean Slate Films, this new Indian Prime Original series is an investigative thriller that also acts as a scathing commentary of modern day Indian society and politics. The series will go into production in February 2019 before being released on Prime Video in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.

    Untitled drama series – India

    A new Indian Prime Original series, this youth-focused political drama from writer/producer/director Ali Abbas Zafar (Sultan & Tiger Zinda Hai) explores the dark corners of Indian politics. Where powerful politicians, and those who aspire to be, sow chaos and manipulate others to control the country, ruthless pragmatism contrasts with the frustrations and aspirations of contemporary India and the ideals of the country’s youth. The series will go into production in March 2019 and will be released on Prime Video in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.

    Untitled Reality Series – India

    Produced by OML, the reality series is a comedy talk-show hybrid where celebrities try their hand at stand-up comedy for the first time. The show is created and hosted by comedian Sapan Verma, member of East India Comedy (EIC).  Each episode will bring together a renowned stand-up comedian and a famous celebrity as they explore the celebrity’s life, discuss moments they found funny while the comedian guides the celebrity to write a comedy set for the first time. Each episode will have Sapan, the guest comedian and the celebrity performing in front of a live audience at a local comedy club.

    Comicstaan (Tamil) – India

     Created and produced by OML (Comicstaan), Comicstaan (Tamil) is a regional language spinoff from Amazon Prime Video’s highly successful Prime Original Series – Comicstaan. Comicstaan (Tamil) is the search for the next big Tamil stand-up comedian, where 6 contestants compete every week in different genres of comedy, judged by an audience and a panel of judges. The contestants are mentored in different genres of comedy by veteran Tamil comedians. In every episode, the contestants, with the help of the mentor, prepare a set and perform in front of a live audience. The finale sees the judges and mentors performing live for the audiences.

    El Presidente – Mexico

    Produced by Oscar‐winning director Pablo Larrain’s production company Fabula (Jackie, A Fantastic Woman) and Gaumont (Narcos), El Presidente, a new Mexican Prime Original series, is a true crime series inspired by the real-life characters and events behind the 2015 “FIFA Gate” corruption scandal.  The series explores the scandal from the  angle of a small‐time Chilean football club president who rises from obscurity to become a key player in a $150MM bribery conspiracy. El Presidente will go into production next year before launching exclusively on Prime Video in  more than 200 countries and territories.

    Untitled sci-fi/horror comedy – Mexico

    This exciting new series takes viewers through a rollercoaster horror story with high doses of suspense and dark humor throughout an apocalyptic battle of epic proportions. With production set for 2019 from Dynamo (Narcos, El Chapo) and Red Creek Productions (Sins of My Father), the new Mexican Prime Original will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 200 countries and territories.

    El Juego de las Llaves – Mexico

    The new Mexican Prime Original, El Juego de las Llaves, is a comedy about long-term monogamy, self-realization and desire, set in modern day Mexico City. The series follows four long-lasting couples who are friends that one day decide to swing. In the comedic aftermath, each character must face the impact of the decision they’ve made on their relationship and personal outlook on sexuality. El Juego de las Llaves will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in Mexico and more than 200 countries and territories, excluding the US.

    Untitled Political Thriller Series – Mexico

    In this upcoming Mexican Prime Original series co-produced with Televisa , Mexico City plays the backdrop to an intense and intertwining story comprised of politicians, assassins, government spies and drug cartels all clashing in a struggle to seize control of leadership of both Mexico’s government and its underworld. The series is currently in production and will launch exclusively in 2019 on Prime Video in more than 200 countries and territories.

    Como Sobrevivir Soltero – Mexico

    A new Mexican Prime Original series produced by Campanario, Addiction House and Sony Pictures, Como Sobevivir Soltero (How to Survive Being Single) is a one-hour dramedy series is a fictionalized take on the life of Mexican actor Sebastian Zurita and a group of his millennial friends who are all unlucky in love. Rich with dramatic comedy, this Spanish language series set in Mexico City explores the highs and lows of what it's like to be single and searching for love in a macho Mexican culture that is rapidly evolving. The series enters the world of Sebastian, an actor whose life seems perfect until one day he discovers his fiancé is cheating on him. Hitting bottom, Sebastian is reunited with his single friends, and their comedic journey ensues as they try to navigate today’s dating market – dictated by apps and algorithms-. Como Sobrevivir Soltero begins production in 2019 and will premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.

    Untitled Social Issue Series – Japan

    An unscripted Prime Original produced by VICE MEDIA JAPAN, this new social issue series will be the very first original content collaboration between the global youth media company and Amazon Prime Video. Tackling various topics through VICE's authentic and alternative lens, in-depth documentaries will explore socially relevant issues, with each feature followed by spirited panel discussions headlined by popular entertainers and diverse panels of guest commentators.

    New original series announced today:

    The Bachelorette – Japan

    The Bachelorette is a local version of the American reality dating competition format that has aired continuously for 14 seasons in the US since 2003, when it was created as a spinoff of The Bachelor. In The Bachelorette, gender roles are reversed and women are put in the driver’s seat when a single Bachelorette embarks on a journey to find her future husband from a pool of eligible male contestants.

    Returning Prime Original series announced today include:

    Mirzapur Season Two – India

    Mirzapur, which premiered worldwide on November 16, 2018, has been greenlit for a second season. This riveting drama series tells the journey of two brothers lured by the idea of power only to be consumed by it. Mirzapur is an amped-up portrayal of India’s heartland and youth — a world replete with drugs, guns, and lawlessness, where caste, power, egos and tempers intersect and violence is the only way of life. Season two, produced by the makers of the International Emmy-nominated series Inside Edge, created by Puneet Krishna and directed by Gurmmeet Singh will depict the story of this violent world which, when coupled with greed for power, changes people and asks for sacrifices. The show will go into production in 2019 before being released on Prime Video in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.

    HITOSHI MATSUMOTO Presents Documental Season Seven – Japan

    The wildly popular Japanese Prime Original series will return for a seventh season in 2019.  Created and hosted by iconic comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto, Documental is a variety show where 10 idiosyncratic entertainers bet money and their comic pride in an anything-goes, “battle of laughter behind closed doors” for a chance to win a prize of 10 million Japanese Yen. The title “Documental” is a neologism created by Hitoshi Matsumoto from “documentary” and “mental.” The rules are simple: 10 participants bet one million Japanese Yen to enter a room together for six hours. Any person who laughs is immediately evicted, so the challenge is to make others laugh without laughing themselves.

    LOL: Last One Laughing Season Two – Mexico

    Based on Japan’s immensely popular format from HITOSHI MATSUMOTO Presents Documental, and originally developed by Hitoshi Matsumoto, LOL: Last One Laughing season one premiered December 14 exclusively on Prime Video in more than 200 countries and territories. Hosted by actor, writer, director and mega-star comedian, Eugenio Derbez (Overboard, How to be a Latin Lover), LOL features ten renowned comedians in a no-holds-barred “battle of laughter behind closed doors” where the aim is to make each other laugh. The last person who manages to keep a straight face wins a cash prize of one million pesos. LOL is produced by Derbez’ 3Pas Studios and Endemol Shine. Production on season two of the series will begin in 2019.

    Diablo Guardian Season Two – Mexico

    Adapted from Xavier Velasco’s award-winning novel of the same name, Diablo Guardian will return for season two with Paulina Gaitan (Narcos), Andrés Almeida (Y Tu Mamá También) and award-winning actor Adrián Ladrón (La 4ª Compañía). In its first season, Diablo Guardian follows the troubling story of Violetta (Gaitan), an adolescent from Mexico who is frustrated with her life and in a moment of desperation steals USD $100,000 from her parents and crosses the border to reach New York City, where she has fantasized about starting a new life. But instead of a living a dream, Violetta is awoken to a harsh reality when she runs out of money, sending her into the arms of the villainous Nefastófeles (Almeida).  Produced by Televisa Alternative Originals for Amazon Studios, season two will premiere exclusively on Prime Video next year and will be available in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.

    The Grand Tour Season Four – UK

    Today’s news follows the recent announcement that the UK produced Prime Original global hit, The Grand Tour, has also been renewed for a fourth season. Season three of The Grand Tour launches worldwide on 18th January, 2019. Amazon announced in December that The Grand Tour series four will see Clarkson, Hammond & May ditch the tent and take on big adventure road trips that fans around the world love.

  • Amazon Prime Video aims to keep evolving with customer taste

    Amazon Prime Video aims to keep evolving with customer taste

    MUMBAI: Amazon Prime Video is boosting its content play in the market. The OTT platform is all set to stream its fifth Indian original Mirzapur from 16 November. In a media roundtable, Amazon Prime Video India content director and head Vijay Subramaniam also added that it will scale up originals further in 2020. Nine new Hindi originals are planned for 2019.

    “I think it’s extremely important to understand that content has scale cinematically and our marketing matches that. It’s important for customers to feel that they are watching premium content and all of that in Rs 129 in a month,” Subramaniam commented.

    It has been two years since Amazon Prime Video launched in India in the burgeoning OTT market.  Since then, it has been very focused on customer taste and preferences. However, as India is a diverse market, the company wants to ensure that everything it does embraces diversity. 

    “It is a large market with multiple demographics and multiple segments. So it’s important to understand how we can cater to all of them consistently. Our customers are constantly evolving in their taste and preferences and we need to be updated on the kind of stories they watch and would love to watch. We need to go on that evolution with them," Subramaniam added.

    The company, unlike its rival Netflix, has prioritised localisation since beginning. While the service already has content in six regional languages including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali and Kannada, it is also looking at adding more regional languages in next 12-18 months.

    Interestingly, Subramaniam said that when new a language offering is launched, customers first seek movies. Hence, it tries to ensure adding the best and latest movies in the language to the library. After understanding their taste and preference, it adds content in other forms including originals. Right now the regional languages under evaluation for series-based content are Tamil and Telugu.

    “In Tamil and Telugu, after having operated for a year, we looked at the opportunity to produce some series. Gangster was our first, another one in Tamil is coming out at the end of this month. These are both pilots in that sense. By putting these out we are trying to learn and understand our customers and get their feedback on what they like to watch. And once we have that we will definitely double down and scale up our originals in regional languages,” he added.

    For the new nine-episode web series Mirzapur, Amazon Prime Video India has again collaborated with Excel Media & Entertainment after the Emmy winning Inside Edge. Set in the heartland of India, the show revolves around drugs, guns and the politics of power in a land where might is right.  For the new show, while there have been enough large-scale outdoor marketing, there will be a lot of initiatives on the digital front too.

    Amazon is confident that Mirzapur will make a mark not only in India but also globally. Breathe also did exceptionally well with 40 per cent viewers from outside India.

  • Amazon Prime Video India and Excel Media & Entertainment Release the Trailer of the Highly Anticipated Prime Original Series, Mirzapur

    Amazon Prime Video India and Excel Media & Entertainment Release the Trailer of the Highly Anticipated Prime Original Series, Mirzapur

    MUMBAI: Amazon Prime Video and Excel Media & Entertainment today released the trailer of the highly anticipated Prime Original Series – Mirzapur. Set in the heartland of India, Mirzapur revolves around drugs, guns and the politics of power in a land where might is right. Created by Karan Anshuman & Puneet Krishna and directed by Gurmmeet Singh, Mirzapur is a nine-episode series that will be available to stream exclusively on Prime Video from November 16, 2018 across more than 200 countries and territories.  An edge-of-your-seat binge-watching experience, Mirzapur is a gripping narrative brought to life by a power-packed cast including highly acclaimed and award-winning actors such as Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Vikrant Massey, Divyendu Sharma, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Shweta Tripathi, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Rasika Dugal and many more.

    Vijay Subramaniam, Director & Head, Content, Amazon Prime Video India, said, “With Mirzapur, we reiterate our commitment to bring new, ground breaking shows to Indian and global audiences with high caliber production values and exceptional content creators and talent. More importantly, we remain committed to taking stories from India that are local in narrative yet epic in scale to a global stage. If the global launches of Inside Edge, Breathe, etc. have taught us anything, it is that high quality Indian content has found resonance with audiences around the world and there is a growing appetite for the same”.

    Mirzapur is the fifth Prime Original Series offering from India and brings together the winning trio Ritesh Sidhwani, Karan Anshuman and Farhan Akhtar, the creators of Prime Original Series, Inside Edge that recently earned an International Emmy nomination for Best Drama Series (the first-of-its’s-kind for a video-on-demand series originating from India).

    Ritesh Sidhwani, Excel Media & Entertainment, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Amazon Prime Video to present a genre-defining, bold and powerful story like Mirzapur. A show of this caliber with high production value and scale takes it to the next level of cinematic experience. We are taking a story set in the heartland of India to a global audience & are excited to see how viewers respond to it.”

    Karan Anshuman, Creator, said, “Mirzapur is the perfect storm. The creative freedom Amazon Prime Video allows, Excel’s adroit production experience, an ensemble cast that takes an already fantastic script and owns it….this is a fine time for filmmakers and I'm looking forward to new collaborations.”

    Farhan Akhtar, Excel Media & Entertainment, said, “We are excited to collaborate again with Amazon Prime Video for the next Prime Original Series, Mirzapur. The success of Inside Edge reaffirms our faith in digital streaming in India, proving that these are indeed exciting times for storytellers, artists, writers and filmmakers. Mirzapur is a story not meant for the faint hearted and it will make people think about the show for days after watching it.”

  • Lionsgate properties in film and TV on Amazon Prime Video India

    MUMBAI: A large number of Lionsgate’s top acclaimed films, television episodes and upcoming new releases will become the subscription streaming home on Prime Video India following a long-time exclusive deal between Amazon and Lionsgate.

    Blockbuster movies like La La Land, which has grossed over $370 million at the worldwide box office and won six Academy Awards, event films including Deepwater Horizon and The Divergent Series: Allegiant and upcoming 2017 releases Power Rangers, The Shack and others will also be exclusively available only to Prime members, and will not be available on Satellite or Pay Television.

    Rohit Tiwari at Morris Street Advisors which represents Lionsgate in India negotiated and closed the ground-breaking deal.

    “It is awesome that Lionsgate has partnered with Amazon Prime Video to bring its original, daring and highly acclaimed content to Indian customers.” said Amazon Prime Video India director and company head Nitesh Kripalani. “We know our Prime members are going to absolutely love the selection of award-winning films, indelible characters and unforgettable stories from edge-of-the-seat thrillers to spectacular action to heartfelt drama – in true Lionsgate style. Their prestigious and prolific library of motion picture and television titles is sure to produce sizable viewership for us.”

    “Our collaboration with Amazon Prime Video India is the latest example of our commitment to bring world-class, award-winning movies and television series to the Indian market and its viewers,” said Lionsgate Worldwide Television & Digital Distribution president Jim Packer.

    “We’re very pleased to partner with Amazon as they continue to transform the face of entertainment in India and bring our premium film and television content to their viewers,” he added.

    Hit movie franchises like The Twilight Saga, which grossed over $3 billion worldwide, the Saw series, the highest-grossing long-running horror franchise in history, Red and Step Up 5 from the global blockbuster Step up franchise along with worldwide hit TV series such as Nashville, The Royals and Graves amongst others will have their exclusive subscription streaming home on Amazon Prime Video. In addition, popular series such as the iconic Mad Men andAnger Management are included in the deal.

    Amazon Prime Video has the largest selection of latest and exclusive movies and TV shows, ad-free across Indian and Hollywood movies, US TV shows, top/popular Indian and international kids’ shows, award winning Amazon Original shows along with content from top Bollywood, regional, Indian and international studios.