MUMBAI: From heavenly visions to hellish horrors, Aghathiyaa has officially ascended to the OTT throne. After casting its spell in cinemas across 600 plus screens and three languages, the high-concept Tamil fantasy-horror Aghathiyaa is now taking Amazon Prime Video by storm, breaking into the platform’s Top 10 trending titles in India. The milestone marks a rare feat for a regional genre film, especially one as unapologetically ambitious as this.
Directed by lyricist-turned-filmmaker Pa. Vijay, Aghathiyaa conjures a battle between divine and demonic forces, anchored in mythology and marinated in mystery. With VFX grandeur reminiscent of global epics, the film follows an ordinary man entangled in a celestial tug-of-war with Action King Arjun Sarja, Jiiva, Raashii Khanna, and Yogi Babu delivering both gravitas and ghostly chills.
But beyond the visual razzle-dazzle, the film weaves in themes of colonial resistance and familial devotion, lending it emotional resonance rarely seen in the genre. The hauntingly beautiful score by Yuvan Shankar Raja doesn’t hurt either.
WAM India, founder & managing director Aneesh Arjun Dev shares, “Aghathiyaa was created as a passion project to blend storytelling with technology. Seeing it embraced by audiences on Prime is a proud moment for our entire team.”
With its digital footprint echoing its theatrical roar, Aghathiyaa might just become the flagbearer for a new wave of Indian fantasy-horror, where mythology meets mainstream magic.
Catch Aghathiyaa now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, and prepare for a showdown where the stakes are celestial.
MUMBAI: The Bombay high court has thrown a wrench into Maddock Films’ plan to skip the cinemas and take Bhool Chuk Maaf straight to Amazon Prime Video. In a dramatic turn, the court issued an interim stay on the film’s OTT release, siding with PVR Inox in a fierce Rs 60 crore legal battle.
The courtroom clash erupted after Maddock Films, citing “heightened security drills across the nation” amid an India-Pakistan conflict, decided to ditch the planned 9 May theatrical release and launch the Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi starrer directly online on 16 May. But PVR Inox, which had already geared up for the theatrical launch, wasn’t having it.
PVR Inox’s counsel, Dinyar Madon, told the court that Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock had breached a 6 May contract that locked the film into an eight-week theatrical run before any streaming release. “The producers pulled the plug on the deal just a day before the release,” he argued. The multiplex giant demanded Rs 60 crore in damages.
Maddock’s defence, led by Venkatesh Dhond, tried to wriggle out, claiming the eight-week clause only mattered if the film actually released in cinemas. But justice Arif Doctor wasn’t convinced. He pointed out that PVR Inox had already reserved screens, promoted the film, and sold tickets. Cancelling at the last minute, he said, would damage the multiplex chain’s reputation and goodwill.
The showdown is far from over. Maddock Films must now file a response before the next hearing on 16 June.
In the meantime, Bhool Chuk Maaf is stuck in limbo — a family entertainer without a family to watch it.
MUMBAI: The supreme court on Monday fired a warning shot across the bows of the government, streaming giants, and social media platforms, flagging the unchecked spread of obscene and sexually explicit content online.
A bench led by justice B R Gavai and justice Augustine George Masih issued notices to the Centre and a who’s who of Big Tech — Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Meta, X Corp, Google, Apple, Ullu, and ALTT — after a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by journalist Uday Mahurkar and others called for urgent curbs on indecent material floating unchecked across digital platforms.
“This petition raises an important concern,” said justice Gavai, cautioning that the issue was best left to the executive or legislature lest the court be accused of overreach. Nevertheless, he nudged solicitor general Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, to act: “Do something… something legislative.”
Mehta did not dispute the concerns, describing some content as so perverted “that even two respectable people cannot sit together and watch,” but stressed that censorship was not an option. He added that regulations under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, were in place — and more were under contemplation.
The petitioners, represented by advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, called for the establishment of a National Content Control Authority to monitor and regulate streaming and social media output until a comprehensive law is enacted. The plea warned that without action, the flood of sexually explicit, paedophilic and perverse material could corrupt young minds, fuel deviant behaviour, and trigger a rise in crimes against women and children.
“What was once an individual vice has now become a public menace,” the petition thundered, accusing platforms like X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Netflix, and Ullu of promoting explicit content without adequate checks.
While the Supreme Court has not set a timeline for the next hearing, the Centre’s response will be pivotal in shaping how India reins in its booming but increasingly controversial digital content ecosystem. For India’s streaming giants, the party might just be about to face a reality check.
MUMBAI- Mumbai’s advertising elite gathered under one roof as The Advertising Club marked a spectacular 25 years of the EMVIE Awards, widely regarded as the Oscars of the media world. The milestone edition, held at the Jio World Convention Centre on 28 March 2025, celebrated the finest in media strategy, innovation, and brand storytelling, honouring industry leaders who have redefined the advertising landscape.
With an unprecedented 1,779 entries from 33 agencies, a record-breaking feat, the competition was fierce, culminating in 443 shortlisted campaigns. The night saw a grand total of 191 winners, including 1 Grand EMVIE, 46 gold, 71 silver, and 73 bronze trophies.
Wavemaker India dominated the night, clinching the title of Best Media Agency of the Year with 665 points, while Mondelez India Foods Pvt. Ltd. took home Best Media Client of the Year with 380 points.
The coveted Grand EMVIE was awarded to Initiative Media (India) Private Limited for their innovative use of AI-driven interactive storytelling for Amazon Prime Video’s Mirzapur, bagging the trophy in the Best Media Innovation: Best Use of AI for a Media Solution category.
Other big winners included Mindshare India, finishing second with 570 points, and Essencemediacom, securing third place with 275 points.
The EMVIE for Diversity, Equality & Inclusion (DE&I) was awarded to Interactive Avenues for their impactful campaign ‘Ek Macchhli Paani Mein Gayi’ for Chhanv Foundation, shedding light on the resilience of acid attack survivors.
The Young EMVIE of the Year went to Navneet Kabra from Wavemaker India, who crafted a winning hand for Cadbury 5 Star & Cadbury Celebrations with ‘The Joker Who Got Cadbury the Winning Hand’.
Havas India, group CEO for South East, and North Asia & and The Advertising Club, president Rana Barua, said, “As we celebrate 25 years of the EMVIES, it’s a moment to acknowledge how these awards have become a true reflection of our industry’s relentless pursuit of innovation, creativity, and excellence. The EMVIES have consistently evolved to capture the spirit of transformative storytelling and the power of effective media strategies. This milestone is a tribute to the passion and dedication of media professionals who continue to raise the bar with their groundbreaking work. Congratulations to all the winners of the 2025 EMVIE Awards — your achievements are an inspiration, driving our industry forward. Here’s to the next 25 years of pushing boundaries and setting new benchmarks.”
EMVIES Committee chairperson Punitha Arumugam said, “The EMVIES have played a crucial role in shaping India’s media landscape by setting new benchmarks in effectiveness and innovation. As we mark 25 years of this incredible journey, we recognize the immense talent, creativity, and strategic brilliance that elevate industry standards. This year’s winners exemplify the best of what media can achieve when insights, strategy, and technology come together.”
With support from The Times of India & UltraTech Cement Limited, the EMVIE Awards 2025 once again proved why they remain the gold standard of advertising recognition. As the industry looks ahead, the only thing certain is that the future of media will be bold, boundary-breaking, and built on brilliance.
MUMBAI: If Amazon makes a big bang, can Netflix be far behind? Of course not.
Today, Netflix pulled back the curtain on its power-packed 2025 content slate, unveiling an eclectic mix of films, series, and unscripted originals. Unlike Amazon Prime Video, which hosted a lavish industry party, Netflix chose to keep things all-business—because let’s face it, they’d rather spend on content than caviar. The lineup boasts over 25 titles spanning multiple genres, ensuring that no matter what your mood, there’s a binge-worthy fix waiting for you.
Leading the charge is Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, The Ba**ds of Bollywood, produced by Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment. The series blends sharp industry satire with high-stakes drama, offering an inside look at the chaos of Bollywood. Expect plenty of witty references and some surprise cameos from the who’s who of Indian cinema.
Adding to the action-packed lineup, Saif Ali Khan headlines Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins, a high-stakes thriller surrounding the hunt for the priceless African Red Sun diamond. Directed by Siddharth Anand and featuring Jaideep Ahlawat and Kunal Kapoor, this promises an exhilarating game of deception, strategy, and intrigue.
Netflix’s love affair with romance continues with Aap Jaisa Koi, starring R. Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Nadaaniyan, featuring Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor in a classic opposites-attract setup. Meanwhile, Dhoom Dhaam throws Yami Gautam Dhar and Pratik Gandhi into a wedding-night-gone-wrong adventure that’s equal parts thrilling and hilarious.
On the Tamil front, Test delivers a compelling narrative with R. Madhavan, Nayanthara, Siddharth, and Meera Jasmine against the backdrop of a historic Chennai cricket match. Helmed by S. Sashikanth, this direct-to-OTT release highlights Netflix India’s commitment to regional storytelling.
Comedy lovers can look forward to Toaster, a quirky family drama starring Rajkummar Rao and Sanya Malhotra, centered around a wedding gift fiasco that spirals into chaos. Meanwhile, Delhi Crime Season 3 brings back Shefali Shah, joined by Huma Qureshi and Sayani Gupta, in a gripping investigation into human trafficking.
Fan-favorite Kohrra returns for Season 2 with Barun Sobti and Mona Singh tackling a fresh murder mystery, while Rana Naidu Season 2 sees Rana Daggubati and Venkatesh Daggubati returning, this time with Arjun Rampal as their new nemesis. Additionally, Khakee: The Bengal Chapter introduces Jeet as an unyielding cop squaring off against Prosenjit Chatterjee’s political mastermind.
The thrills continue with YRF Entertainment’s Mandala Murders, starring Vaani Kapoor and Vaibhav Raj Gupta, which uncovers a series of ritualistic killings tied to a mysterious secret society. Akka, another YRF production, features Keerthy Suresh, Radhika Apte, and Tanvi Azmi in a revenge saga drenched in blood and suspense.
Pulkit Samrat, Divyenndu, and Suvinder Vicky bring raw intensity to Glory, a gripping story of vengeance and Olympic boxing aspirations. Meanwhile, espionage thriller Saare Jahan Se Accha sees Pratik Gandhi and Sunny Hinduja navigating the treacherous world of 1970s intelligence.
Netflix forays into Telugu content with Super Subbu, where Mithila Palkar and Sundeep Kishan lead a laugh-out-loud journey of an adult sex education teacher finding herself in the most unlikely of places—a conservative village.
Unscripted entertainment takes a glamorous turn with Dining with the Kapoors, offering an intimate look at Bollywood’s first family, while The Roshans traces three generations of cinematic legacy. Stand-up special Full Volume sees Vir Das returning with a fresh dose of sharp political humor and social commentary.
Oscar-nominated short film Anuja, backed by Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Guneet Monga Kapoor, and Mindy Kaling, makes its debut, adding yet another feather to Netflix’s cap. In a groundbreaking move, Netflix has also acquired exclusive WWE programming rights for India and other territories, promising wrestling fans a knockout viewing experience.
Netflix is also diving into crime thrillers with Black Warrant, a gripping drama set in Tihar Jail, where an idealistic jailer uncovers corruption, gang wars, and deep-rooted injustice. The series has already earned a spot in Netflix’s Global Top 10 in its second week, proving its appeal worldwide.
Crime meets comedy in Dabba Cartel, where five middle-class women find themselves running an accidental drug cartel while caught in a pharma investigation. Produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, this darkly comic drama showcases a web of secrets, power struggles, and the sheer unpredictability of life.
Fans of The Great Indian Kapil Show can rejoice as Season 3 brings more laughs, celebrity guests, and signature desi humour. Kapil Sharma and his gang are all set to dish out fresh skits, hilarious banter, and plenty of unexpected surprises.
For cricket lovers, The Greatest Rivalry – India vs Pakistan chronicles the on-field and off-field drama of the world’s most heated cricketing contest. Featuring legends like Virender Sehwag, Shoaib Akhtar, and Sunil Gavaskar, this docuseries goes beyond boundaries to explore the history, culture, and politics that fuel this fierce competition.
Netflix is also stepping into the world of royal drama with Bhumi Pednekar and Ishaan Khatter starring in The Royals, where a polo-playing prince and a high-powered CEO clash in a whirlwind of romance, ambition, and palace intrigue. Bhumi Pednekar and Ishaan Khatter lead the cast in this lavish rom-com.
Netflix India VP of content, Monika Shergill emphasised the platform’s commitment to bold storytelling, stating, “In 2025, we’re redefining storytelling by pushing creative boundaries like never before, delivering an unparalleled variety of world-class entertainment. From dreamy romcoms and high-stakes dramas to action-packed thrillers, beloved fan-favorite franchises, and laugh-out-loud comedies, there’s something for everyone.”
Netflix’s 2025 slate is poised to redefine streaming entertainment in India. Whether it’s high-octane action, gripping thrillers, laugh-out-loud comedies, or heartwarming romances, one thing’s guaranteed—your binge list just got a whole lot longer. And with the rise of local-language content, expect even more diverse storytelling that speaks to every corner of India. If the 2024 lineup was a game-changer, 2025 is about to blow the roof off the OTT space.
MUMBAI: Recently, she has been posting on Linkedin only when she gets a promotion. Two years ago, Vibha Chopra had put out an update on the professional site when she moved on from Amazon Prime Video to Netflix as head of Hindi film licensing in India.
On 13 November, once again she used the platform to announce that she had been promoted in the Ted Sarandos-headed organisation. “Stoked to share that I am starting my new position as director – Hindi film licensing at Netflix, India,” she stated on Linkedin.
Chopra has come a long way from the time she was heading global syndication and international film distribution at Zee Entertainment for two years. And prior to that the fitness enthusiast headed Zee Film Studios International in Mumbai for four years. Before that Chopra spent a good three years at Zee America as vice-president brand solutions and special projects.
Mumbai- Prime Video, India’s most loved entertainment destination, today launched HITS, Rewind Networks’ popular linear television channel and the home to some of the most iconic TV shows, as an add-on subscription, increasing access to English-language series that continue to dominate pop-culture year after year. HITS offers an unparalleled line-up of evergreen blockbuster and fan-favourite shows from Frasier, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Agatha Christie’s Marple, Gilligan’s Island, Mission: Impossible, Baywatch and I Dream of Jeannie, to Stephen King’s IT, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Cheers, Bewitched, The Incredible Hulk, North and South, V: The Original Series, The Six Million Dollar Man, Quantum Leap, Hawaii Five-O, The Jeffersons and many more.
With HITS, customers can watch their favourite TV shows according to a fixed linear broadcast schedule, while also getting the option to catch-up on content, post linear airing, as per their convenience. Prime members can purchase an add-on subscription to HITS at an annual price of Rs 299.
“We’re thrilled to launch HITS as an add-on subscription for our customers in India, offering a curated line-up of iconic and much-loved TV shows for scheduled linear viewing, as well as catch-up,” said Prime Video, India head of marketplace (add-on subscriptions and movie rentals) Gaurav Bhasin said, “Our aim with add-on subscriptions has been to provide Prime members with increased choice, improved accessibility and greater convenience of watching their favourite content all within a single app, and within a short span of time, we’ve built a robust library of additional programming through our partners. At the same time, add-on subscriptions have also offered increased reach to both local and global streamers helping them connect with our vast and diverse audience across the country. We are certain that the incredible line-up of TV shows offered by HITS will delight and entertain customers, taking them on a nostalgic trip when enjoying some of the world’s most popular and timeless series.”
“We are delighted to partner with Prime Video to give viewers across India an opportunity to experience HITS,” said Rewind Networks EVP Sandie Lee. “HITS has always been about celebrating the vast television history, and with this collaboration, we are excited to offer customers the opportunity to rediscover these iconic shows conveniently.”
Mumbai: Vivek Srivastava, who led growth and business operations for Amazon Prime Video in India, will be taking over as the executive vice-president and business head for JioCinema Hindi, as per sources.
Before Amazon, Srivastava held key roles in the media industry, such as president of digital and broadcast at Times Network and head of digital and commercial at Colors, Viacom18. In his new role, he will report to Viacom18 Media Pvt Ltd president of general entertainment Alok Jain.
His appointment comes at a time when JioCinema has surpassed 15 million paying subscribers, following the launch of new subscription plans in April.
Despite being a late entrant in local-language originals, JioCinema aims to grow its subscriber base with affordable pricing. Viacom18’s media operations are also set to merge with Star India Pvt Ltd, in a deal valued at ₹70,350 crore, with Reliance Industries investing ₹11,500 crore ($1.4 billion) to support its growth.
Mumbai: Amazon Prime Video and the NBA announced an 11-year media rights agreement, beginning with the 2025-26 NBA season. In a landmark deal, Prime Video will present exclusive global coverage of 66 regular-season NBA games, including an opening week doubleheader, a new Black Friday NBA game, and all games from the Knockout Rounds of the Emirates NBA Cup, including the in-season tournament’s Semifinals and Finals.
Prime Video also acquires rights to exclusive coverage of every game of the postseason SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament, first and second-round playoff games, and Conference Finals in six of the 11 years of the deal. Prime Video will distribute its package of games in the U.S. and internationally, with an expanded package of games in select territories, including Mexico, Brazil, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom and Ireland. This expanded package includes a minimum of 20 additional primetime regular season games each year, a Conference Finals series each year, and the NBA Finals in six of the 11 years.
As part of the agreement, Prime Video Channels will also be the strategic partner and third-party global channels store destination for NBA League Pass, the NBA’s subscription service for streaming live and on-demand games, in the U.S. and internationally.
A separate release contains further information about the new WNBA rights agreement with Prime Video.
“The digital opportunities with Amazon align perfectly with the global interest in the NBA,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “And Prime Video’s massive subscriber base will dramatically expand our ability to reach our fans in new and innovative ways.”
“NBA and WNBA basketball will serve as yet another cornerstone of the robust sports business our Prime Video team has built in just the last six years,” said Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios head Mike Hopkins. “When combined with our original films and shows; partner streaming services; licensed content; and rent or buy titles – our sports offering is a major driver of Prime Video’s evolution into a genuine one-stop shop for everything our customers want in video.”
“We are proud to be the first exclusive streaming partner for the NBA, bringing Prime members across the globe one of the most exciting and most popular sports in the world. With 66 regular season games, the NBA Cup, the Play-In Tournament, more than 20 playoff games every year, and NBA League Pass, we’re giving basketball fans around the world more ways than ever to watch the action,” said Jay Marine, Global Head of Sports, Prime Video. “Over the past few years, we have worked hard to bring the very best of sports to Prime Video and to continue to innovate on the viewing experience. We’re thrilled to now add the NBA to our growing sports lineup, including the NFL, UEFA Champions League, NASCAR, NHL, WNBA, NWSL, Wimbledon, and more. We are grateful to partner with the NBA, and can’t wait to tip off in 2025.”
Prime Video’s regular season NBA coverage will tip off at the start of the 2025-26 season with an opening week doubleheader and will include Friday night games, select Saturday afternoon games, and Thursday night doubleheaders, which will begin in January 2026 after the conclusion of Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football schedule. Prime Video will present live NBA pregame, postgame and halftime shows as part of its coverage, with additional details around talent and production to be announced at a later date. Prime Video will also stream half of all NBA Summer League games, as well as a package of WNBA and NBA G League regular-season and postseason games.
The international live game package rights extend worldwide, with the exception of Greater China, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands, with rights in Canada beginning in the 2026-27 NBA season.
Over the past three years, Prime Video has rapidly become a leader in presenting live sports worldwide, with a lineup of marquee properties available on the service in 2024 and 2025 including the NFL, the WNBA, NASCAR, and the NWSL in the U.S., the NHL in Canada, UEFA Champions League soccer in the U.K., Germany and Italy, Premier League soccer in the U.K. and Sweden, Roland Garros tennis in France, and Wimbledon in Germany and Austria.
Mumbai: Monsoon and romance have an undeniable connection, don’t they? What better way to celebrate this bond than by watching a fresh rom-com at a cinema near you? Ishq Vishk Rebound has hit theatres, offering its peppy love story. Before you immerse yourself in this cinematic treat, why not explore a treasure chest of the romance-centric OTT series and audio series available across various platforms?
Here’s a list specially curated for die-hard romantics:
Shaadi Ke Baad (Pocket FM)
Arohi, who had experienced an incident worse than death for any girl, hadn’t even recovered from the trauma when she received another piece of news that shook her to the core. Her father and stepmother had decided on her marriage to a wealthy but physically challenged man without even consulting her. Although Arohi refused to marry him, her father and stepmother imposed a condition that forced her to reconsider her decision. What was that condition? What incident had occurred with Arohi? Tune into Shaadi Ke Baad, only on Pocket FM.
Ishq Vishk Rebound (In theaters)
Raghav, Sanya, and Sahir have been friends since childhood. As they age, Sanya falls for Sahir and Raghav concentrates on his love for writing. But as luck would have it, Sanya and Sahir break up and Raghav is left mending two broken hearts. At its heart ‘Ishq Vishk Rebound’ is a coming-of-age tale – that asks difficult taboo questions- Are rebound relationships a curse? Is there such a thing as a bro code? And is it not okay to kiss your best friend? ‘Coz what if they are your soul mate? Is it true love even if it just sticks to the rules and never breaks them?
Pyaar, Yaar aur Dhoka (Pocket FM)
Gungun’s life gets disrupted after she learns about the affair between her husband Pratham Saheb Zada and her sister Munmun. Gungun Mathur divorces her husband, and after five years of hard work, she returns as a big lawyer. Unknowingly, Saheb is his client. Will both of them come closer, or will Gungun ruin Saheb’s empire? To find out, listen to Pyaar Yaar Aur Dhoka on Pocket FM.
Baarish (Jio Cinema)
Sharman Joshi and Asha Negi star in this heartwarming tale of love set around monsoons. The web series follows Anuj, a wealthy business magnate, and Gauravi, a simple Maharashtrian girl. When the two opposite personalities cross paths, they never expect to become husband and wife. But, life has other plans, as circumstances lead them to get married. After spending time with each other, the two lost souls kindle a liking, and cupid strikes as they slowly fall in love. If you are in the mood for an old-school love story, Baarish is your go-to pick!
Modern Love Mumbai (Amazon Prime Video)
This collection presents six unique narratives set in Mumbai, each exploring the experiences of individuals navigating the challenges of life, love, and loss in the city. Directed by six renowned creators—Vishal Bhardwaj, Hansal Mehta, Nupur Ashthana, Dhruv Sehgal, Alankrita Shrivastava, and Shonali Bose—Modern Love offers a realistic portrayal of urban life, making it a recommended watch for audiences of all ages.
