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Tag: Juggernaut Productions

  • Mindset change: You are not making for a single screen

    Mindset change: You are not making for a single screen

    MUMBAI: The 9th edition of The Content Hub Summit 2025 may as well have been titled “Adapt or Fade,” as India’s media elite gathered to discuss the changing face and format of storytelling. The consensus? You’re no longer making content for a single screen. You’re building cross-platform universes.

    Chaired by Sukesh Motwani, director at Bodhitree Multimedia, the session pulsed with the urgency of a business hurtling through change. It became clear: the future is platform-agnostic, monetisation-hungry, and format-fluid.

    Motwani set the tone early: “Fiction’s no longer just about arcs and actors. It’s about vertical shots for Reels, character intros for Shorts, and scenes that snap into memes.” Even directors are now briefed to film key plot points in portrait mode. The narrative may stretch to 90 minutes, but it better look good in 9 seconds too.

    Samar Khan, CEO at Juggernaut Productions and chief content officer at DocuBay and EPIC ON, summed it up: “We told a true story as a doc. Platforms bought it as fiction. Now we’re cutting Shorts from it too.” His teams are also repurposing old documentaries into audio formats ideal for the podcasting boom.

    Meanwhile, Sunil Chainani, business head of movies at Applause Entertainment, still sees value in a “theatrical first” approach for big releases, but admits the exploitation game has changed. “The music, the score, even classic dialogues, they’re all mini verticals in themselves.”

    Veteran producer Kailash Adhikari pointed out that three-decade-old shows from the family vault are still monetising now as memes, clips, and podcast fodder. “YouTube, Facebook, Shorts… legacy content’s like gold dust if you know how to pan for it,” he said. Even policy podcasts, once considered too niche, are finding new life as snackable content with high-value backers.

    Hemal A Thakkar of Mariegold Studio spoke about the gaming crossovers for shows like OMG2, predicting a future where Shiva might be both screen hero and playable avatar. “It’s not just shows. We’re building IPs—franchises that stretch into games, VR, and who knows, maybe AI-generated spin-offs.”

    Some were sceptical about the vertical video craze. “I’m just doing what everyone’s doing,” Khan admitted. “I don’t know if it’ll last.” But others believe it’s here to stay, especially in genres like horror, where the claustrophobic frame intensifies the scare factor.

    A Russian filmmaker’s war epic shot entirely in vertical format was cited as a radical experiment that could become a norm in bite-sized streaming. And songs? Already stylised like Instagram Stories.

    The phrase of the day was “multi-screen”, but not just in the literal sense. It’s about thinking across devices, genres, formats and audiences. Whether it’s a 3-hour film, a 30-second short, or a 3-minute podcast, content must be conceived from the start to travel.

    As creators wrangle with digital fatigue and the death of appointment viewing, one thing is certain: survival lies in flexibility. From AI-generated music videos to audio-only comedies, every content piece must now be a Swiss army knife.

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  • Double feature as IN10 rewrites credits for key content and ops leads

    Double feature as IN10 rewrites credits for key content and ops leads

    MUMBAI: Two’s company, but IN10 Media Network is making it a power duo. In a move straight out of a well-scripted plot twist, the network has handed expanded mandates to two of its leading men Samar Khan and Sourjya Mohanty across its digital platforms Docubay and Epic On.

    Khan, best known for helming Juggernaut Productions, will now don the hat of chief content officer for both platforms. His new gig sees him leading the content charge, shaping the creative direction, and fine-tuning the storytelling voices of the documentary-led DocuBay and the fiction-forward Epic On. Call it a genre-spanning role with a tight narrative brief.

    On the operations front, Mohanty, already the COO at Epic On, will now extend his oversight to Docubay as well becoming the double-barrelled COO tasked with keeping the business engine running smoothly across both arms of the network.

    Speaking on the leadership elevation, IN10 Media Network managing director Aditya Pittie said, “Samar and Sourjya’s expanded roles reflect the confidence we have in their leadership and vision. In today’s rapidly evolving ecosystem, success lies at the intersection of strong content and sound strategy. At IN10 Media Network, we are committed to building a future-ready digital content business, one that is driven as the premium destination of documentaries and other is for the fictional storytelling excellence. This leadership realignment is a key step in advancing that mission and solidifying our position in the digital media landscape.”

    The twin elevation is part of IN10’s broader vision to create a more seamless and strategic content ecosystem. By syncing operations and storytelling, the media group hopes to strengthen both platforms’ positioning as go-to destinations for bold, relevant, and globally resonant content.

  • Juggernaut Productions enters TV production business

    Juggernaut Productions enters TV production business

    Mumbai: With numerous successful OTT shows to its credit, IN10 Media Network’s production house, Juggernaut Productions, is thrilled to announce its expansion into television production. The move marks a significant milestone in the company’s growth journey, reflecting its commitment to delivering diverse and high-quality entertainment to a broader audience.

    Dipti Kalwani, a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the media industry, has been appointed to lead the new television production vertical. As senior vice president – TV & AVOD, she will oversee the development and production of innovative television content, leveraging her extensive expertise as a TV producer, content creator, and writer.

    “We are thrilled to have Dipti lead our television production business,” said Juggernaut Productions CEO Samar Khan. “Her vision, creativity, and deep understanding of the television landscape will be invaluable as we embark on this new venture. We are confident that under her leadership, our television content will set new standards for quality and innovation.”

    On the new role, Kalwani said, “I am excited to join Juggernaut Productions and lead this exciting new chapter in the company’s journey. Television production offers unique opportunities and challenges, and I look forward to creating content that resonates with audiences and continues the Juggernaut legacy of excellence. Our goal is to produce shows that not only entertain but also leave a lasting impact.”

    Juggernaut Productions has a strong track record of producing high-quality content like CodeM, Shoorveer, Illegal, Rakshak – India’s Bravehearts, The Married Woman, Avrodh: The Siege Within and many more across various genres and platforms. With the expansion into television production, the company aims to leverage its expertise and creativity to deliver innovative and engaging TV shows. The new TV division will develop original content, from drama and comedy to reality and factual entertainment, that appeals to different demographics.

    This move into television production is part of Juggernaut Productions’ broader strategy to diversify its content offerings and expand its footprint in the entertainment industry. The production house is also making significant investments in creating documentaries for various platforms and is committed to pushing the boundaries of storytelling and production, ensuring its content continues to captivate and entertain audiences.

  • Juggernaut Productions ties up with Umesh Shukla’s Merry Go Round Studios

    Juggernaut Productions ties up with Umesh Shukla’s Merry Go Round Studios

    Mumbai: IN10 Media’s Juggernaut Productions has collaborated with Umesh Shukla and Ashish Wagh’s Merry Go Round Studios to co-produce content for OTT platforms.

    Umesh Shukla, known for the critically and commercially successful films Oh My God with Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor-starrer 102 Not Out and his rich theatrical background, has mastered the art of illustrating simple human stories with compelling emotions.

    After producing successful series like Shoorveer, Code M S1 & 2, The Married Woman, Avrodh, and others, Juggernaut Productions aims to expand its development and content slate via such partnerships. The production house will co-develop content that is rich in human stories, employing Umesh’s expertise in storytelling.

    On the collaboration, Juggernaut Productions (OTT) CEO Samar Khan said, “Juggernaut Productions is happy to co-create content with Merry Go Round and work with a talented filmmaker like Umesh Shukla. He portrays human emotions with excellence and ease. This partnership will further expand our horizon of storytelling with varied themes that resonate with audiences across the country.”

    Merry Go Round Studios co-founder Umesh Shukla added, “Juggernaut Productions has created a niche for itself with some ground-breaking shows in the past couple of years. We are excited to partner with them, as our energies are in sync. We both want to capture the audience’s pulse and give them innovative and disruptive shows.”

    The two will co-develop a series revolving around an acclaimed Gujarati play, Ek Room Rasodu (One Room Kitchen), directed by Umesh Shukla. The play, based on a true story and written by Jayesh Mehta, is full of laughter and the irony of life and has been running successfully for over 100 shows across cities like Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, and others.

  • IN10 Media Network appoints Anup Chandrasekharan as COO of regional content

    IN10 Media Network appoints Anup Chandrasekharan as COO of regional content

    Mumbai: Anup Chandrasekharan has been appointed chief operating officer of regional content at IN10 Media Network to lead its expansion in the southern markets.

    He will report to Aditya Pittie and work closely with the network’s film division CEO Vivek Krishnani, and Juggernaut Productions (OTT) CEO Samar Khan.

    On this appointment, Chandrasekharan said, “I have always been fortunate to wear many hats in my career and manage unique multi-situational assignments. At IN10 Media Network, I look forward to expanding the network’s regional footprint.”

    He added, “Having made a significant positive impression along the journey, I am delighted to start a new challenge at IN10 Media Network and look forward to contributing to its growth story.”

    IN10 Media Network MD Aditya Pittie said, “Today, regional content is cutting across barriers and as content becomes platform agnostic, I believe it is the right time to enter the competitive market with great stories. With his experience in scaling businesses and creating disruption in the southern markets, I believe Anup will play a vital role in our growth plans by identifying new opportunities and strengthening our content studio portfolio.”

    Chandrasekharan has over three decades of experience in leadership positions across the media and entertainment industry verticals. At IN10 Media Network, he will oversee the development and supervision of projects for feature films and web series in Southern languages.

    Before joining the IN10 Media Network, Chandrasekharan was senior vice president & business head at Colors Tamil. In the past, he has worked in leadership positions in organisations like Star Suvarna, Zee Kannada, DNA Networks, and CNBC. He also launched Derana TV, a free-to-air Sinhalese entertainment channel, in Sri Lanka.

  • IN10 Media Network elevates Samar Khan as CEO of Juggernaut Productions

    IN10 Media Network elevates Samar Khan as CEO of Juggernaut Productions

    Mumbai: IN10 Media Network has elevated Samar Khan as the CEO of its production house, Juggernaut Productions. Khan will continue to report to the network’s managing director Aditya Pittie.  

    Khan has been associated with the production house’s OTT division since 2019 and has played a vital role in steering it. As CEO, he will continue to manage his responsibilities of designing and successfully implementing business strategies in addition to creating world-class content.

    “Samar is a valuable asset and I congratulate him on his well-deserved promotion. As we embark on an aggressive growth plan for our content studios business, we rely on his expertise to bolster them while staying true to our core vision,” said Pittie. “The entertainment industry is going through an exciting transition and we want to leverage the momentum.”

    Under Khan, Juggernaut Productions has created popular shows and movies like The Married Woman, Code M season 1, Illegal season 2, “Raat Baaki Hai”, and many more for some of the leading OTT platforms in the country. The upcoming shows are Code M season 2 and Avrodh season 2. He has also produced Regiment Diaries seasons 1, 2, and 3 for the network’s flagship channel EPIC.

    “I have been in the industry for more than 25 years and I’m blessed to be part of its evolution. I’m happy to drive the network’s OTT division’s growth story,” said Juggernaut Productions CEO Samar Khan.

    Khan has a rich experience in writing, directing and producing high-quality and value-creating content for films, television, and OTT. In the past, he has been associated with companies like NDTV, Red Chillies Entertainment, UTV, and Discovery India among others.

    In 2016, he wrote a book ‘SRK – 25 years of a Life’ capturing the 25-years-long journey of the actor Shah Rukh Khan.  

  • Juggernaut Productions’ Samar Khan shares his untold experience in making Avrodh: The Siege Within

    Juggernaut Productions’ Samar Khan shares his untold experience in making Avrodh: The Siege Within

    Director and producer Samar Khan, who is known for his critically acclaimed war drama film Shaurya, is now busy creating stories for streaming platforms. Almost one-and-a-half years after Vicky Kaushal's Uri: The Surgical Strike, SonyLiv has come up with a series named Avrodh: The Siege Within.

    Based on a book written by Shiv and Rahul, Avrodh showcases what exactly happened during the 2016 surgical strikes conducted by the Indian Army in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The former journalist is passionate about creating stories for armed forces as most of his work like Regiment Diaries on Epic channel, The Test Case, or the AltBalaji-ZEE5 series Code M revolves around the same subject.

    In a special discussion with IN10 Media Network's production arm Juggernaut Productions chief operating officer (OTT) Samar Khan  gives more insights on the show.

    Edited Excerpts:

    Avrodh is based on Shiv and Rahul’s book. So, how did you conceptualised the show? 

    I have always been intrigued by stories of armed forces. Before Avrodh I have made Shaurya and Test Case. I picked up Rahul and Shiv Aroor’s book and was taken aback after reading the first chapter. I also spoke to the authors and realised that they were also very interested in making its OTT version. We all felt that the book deserved to be made in a series rather than a film. Post this, I immediately approached Applause Entertainment’s Sameer Nair with the idea, and he was equally convinced about it. So that is how we went ahead with this concept.

    It looks more like a quasi-documentary style of a contemporary action film. So, do you think it would have been better if it was a documentary than a series?

    No, not at all because the concept is more dramatic in its storytelling. It is now a show that can be made in a documentary style. We always believed that the dramatic storytelling format would be the best way. I don’t think anyone was confused about the route we wanted to take. I think a series would do justice to it. The documentary is a different part of storytelling. I am not saying that it would not have been effective for this show. It is just that we have picked another way of storytelling. There are already many.

    Were you scared that people would take it as a jingoistic show? How have you maintained the line between jingoism and patriotism?

    We were proud of our story, and we wanted to show the story in the way it has happened. We were clear about telling a story of bravery, and we wanted to show it as humanely as possible. I come from NDA background and have friends in forces with whom I interact on a regular basis, so I know the way they think and operate. Our entire team had just one single aim of creating a human story. In my opinion, the show doesn’t have any jingoism elements.

    Where did you shot the story?

    Initially, the plan was to make a 10 episode series, and we had the goal to expand the world of the book. The book talks about the surgical strike, so we picked up the story even before the Uri attacks happened then later in the show, we showcased Uri attacks and then the ten days that led to the surgical strike. So initially, we thought to name the series as ‘10 Days’. We researched about what political establishments were doing and how the planning was done. The actual scripting process took eight to nine months. It was important for us to stay true to the story, but we did take some cinematographic liberties. One of the most crucial things I and Applause Entertainment decided to do was to bring the director of Neerja movie Raj Acharya. That was one of the best decisions we took. So, later on, we brought the team on-board, then the casting process happened. Amit Sadh was our first choice because we share a similar thought when it comes to the army. We brought on board some of the esteemed names from the film industry like Neeraj Kabi, Darshan, Anant Mahadevan, and Vikram Gokhale.

    We also received great help from the Indian army as they provided us with the locations, places to shoot, and equipment. We submitted the entire script to them for approval. They were also part of storytelling. We found locations in Bhadarwa, located in Jammu, and then we shot in Mumbai and some parts of Delhi. We spent a lot of time in talent scouting for junior artists and other actors. We did army training with them, taught them how to hold a gun, and how to walk, talk, and salute like army men. We had an ex-army man as a trainer who helped us in designing the look for the boys. It was important for us to maintain the authenticity and real look of the show. We fabricated and made guns like the real ones. But the Bofors, trucks, Jeeps are from the army.

    The music perfectly magnifies the chaos of war in the series. Can you elaborate more on this?

    A lot of credit for music goes to Deepak Sehgal and Priya Jhavar from Applause Entertainment. I think between Raj Acharya, Sehgal, and Jhavar the background music got reworked several times. Nirmal Pandya also kept on innovating with different tools and instruments. We didn't want the background music to look more like jingoistic or patriotic.

    Also, in the commercial cinema, audiences are served with a bouquet of things which included crime, romance, drama, and thriller. Do you think streaming platforms have changed this scenario?

    We are now able to tell stories in a more defined and chiseled way. I think we don't need to unnecessarily fill up the story with everything. Apart from streaming giants, I would also like to give credit to audiences. I believe it is not important to have everything in one story. It is fantastic that audiences have also evolved; they can enjoy things without fitting everything into one.

  • “We are expanding our genres & focussing on chiselled storytelling”: Juggernaut Productions’ Samar Khan

    “We are expanding our genres & focussing on chiselled storytelling”: Juggernaut Productions’ Samar Khan

    MUMBAI: Director and producer Samar Khan, who is known for his critically acclaimed war drama film Shaurya, is now weaving stories for digital platforms. Khan has now donned the hat of a creative producer for Avrodh on SonyLiv.

    Avrodh revolves around a surgical strike based on the 2016 Uri attack, depicting historical events as they occurred in real. The series was launched on 31 July. The former journalist has a keen interest in creating stories for armed forces. Most of his recent or past work like Regiment Diaries on Epic channel, The Test Case or the AltBalaji-ZEE5 series Code M is around the same subject.

    Juggernaut Productions chief operating officer OTT business Samar Khan says that for a show like Avrodh, it’s important to find likeminded people. According to him, the producer is not someone who just funds the project; he is also the creative producer who is involved in every step of story production. The job of the creative producer is to pick the right talent, cast, director, storytellers and look after the story development.

    Avrodh is based on a chapter in a book written by Shiv and Rahul. It is also inspired by the quotes of Major Mike Tango. The word is a pseudonym for the paramilitary officer who helmed the overall operation. The team at Juggernaut Productions also spoke to people who are aware of military procedures. As the show is on a very sensitive topic and to avoid any misrepresentations the makers, directly and indirectly, reached out to people who were involved in the event. It took eight months of research.

    Khan, who is ecstatic to work as a creative producer, gives a lot of credit to Applause Entertainment for bringing out this story. He also hints at creating similar stories soon. The idea behind collaborating with Applause Entertainment is to co-develop shows. Both the studios are currently developing and producing two shows. Khan is looking forward to creating original IPs and premium original content with Applause Entertainment.

    He says that audiences in today’s time are aware of what they are watching. He says, “Audiences don’t need to be served a buffet anymore. I think the popular commercial cinema always tried to serve a buffet where there was a little bit of humour, romance and drama.  But what OTT platforms have done is to focus on one. This chiselled storytelling is truer to what we really want to say and this is the true learning experience for me. For the past four to five shows and even going forward, we are trying to stay true to the promise of the show and not deviate.”

    He is also aware that the company has an image of creating only legal dramas but that’s going to change. “We want to be known as a company that does broad-based content development. We are looking at developing stories across genres,” he shares.  

    Due to the pandemic, there is a boost in the viewership on OTT platforms and with normalcy returning, Khan’s immediate focus is to start shooting. He says, “We utilised the past four months of lockdown to develop a slate of shows that we will be collaborating or pitching to platforms. We have a huge bank of stories that we have developed in this time period. The plan is to make and tell as many stories as possible.”

    Juggernaut Productions recently acquired the screen adaptation rights to Jay Alani and Neil D’Silva’s book “Haunted” but is stuck at the initial stage due to Covid2019. The company is open to any international collaboration too in difference genres, formats and stories that can be adapted to the needs of Indian audiences. For now, the focus is on Hindi content but Juggernaut is planning on acquiring regional content too.

  • Juggernaut Productions inks content licensing deal with The Story Ink

    Juggernaut Productions inks content licensing deal with The Story Ink

    MUMBAI: Juggernaut Productions, the platform-agnostic content creation studio providing an end-to-end solution by IN10 Media Network, today announced a significant content licensing deal with The Story Ink, India's largest story company and also the leader in book-to-screen-content solutions. The production house has acquired the official screen adaptation rights of Jay Alani and Neil D’Silva’s Haunted to create yet another edgy series.

    One of the most popular titles in non-fiction horror genre, Haunted chronicles the real-life adventures of paranormal investigator Jay Alani in ten of the spookiest locations in India. Co-authored by Neil D'Silva, these exploits provide a ringside view of these hair-raising paranormal journeys for everyone interested in exploring the dark side of the normal. Over 1000 copies have been sold since the book was released in November 2019.

    Commenting on the acquisition of screen rights of Haunted, Samar Khan – COO, (OTT), Juggernaut Productions, said:  “With the arrival of digital platforms the scope for differentiated stories has quadrupled. For a 360-degree content creation hub, this is a great opportunity allowing us to work on a variety of tales across genres, including supernatural stories from Haunted. We look forward to start working on the onscreen adaptation and hope that the retelling will be as gripping and exciting as the book.”

    On the association with Juggernaut Productions, Sidharth Jain, Founder, Producer and Chief Storyteller, The Story Ink, said: “Juggernaut Productions was my first choice as a producer for Haunted and I am confident that Samar and team will do a terrific job to scare the audience with these real experiences."

    Paranormal Investigator Jay Alani, who recounts his real-life experiences in Haunted, said: "Haunted is not just a book; it's a journey, a journey that depicts the reality of the paranormal as seen by me, which made me realize that the scariest entity on this planet are humans, not ghosts. As a paranormal investigator, it has been a tough journey for me. I have been bitten by snakes, attacked by wolves, survived on leaves and the most impure water. This was all to discover the reality of this dark world which has been expressed beautifully by Neil D'Silva in Haunted. I am sure Mr Khan and his team at Juggernaut will do great justice to its screen adaptation."

    A bestselling author, Neil D’Silva, known for his horror novels Maya's New Husband, Yakshini and Haunted said: "The stories of Jay's paranormal investigations in the most haunted locations of India as written by me are both shocking and educational at the same time. While they cater to the sensibilities of horror fans, they also show us a grim reality of the other side that is not often showcased. I am glad that Haunted will have a screen version with Juggernaut Productions, for now this gritty truth of Indian horror will reach out to many”.

  • ALTBalaji & ZEE5 announce second season of Code M

    ALTBalaji & ZEE5 announce second season of Code M

    MUMBAI: ZEE5 India and ALTBalaji have announced the second season of Jennifer Winget and Tanuj Virwani-starrer Code M, and Riddhi Dogra and Monica Dogra-starrer new web series ‘A Married Woman’, based on Manju Kapur’s novel. These key announcements were made in the presence of actors including Jennifer Winget, Tanuj Virwani, Riddhi Dogra, along with Aditya Pittie, Managing Director – IN10 Media, Samar Khan, Chief Operating Officer – Juggernaut Productions, and other celebrities.

    The night also brought together many starry names from the tinsel town including ace director Akshay Choubey along with the actors like Chandan Roy Sanyal, Aalekh Kapoor, Kashyap Shangari, Madhurima Roy and Gautam Ahuja.

    ALTBalaji MD Ekta Kapoor said, "Samar, Akshay and the team put in the best efforts, walked the thin line between being commercial and yet credible, and did a fantastic job. Code M has done well for us and congratulations Jennifer, Tanuj and the entire team. ALTBalaji is delighted to extend this partnership with Juggernaut Productions with A Married Woman and Code M second season.”

    “Code M has all the elements of a runaway success and the numbers and the love received from fans across India is a testament to that. The strong protagonist and the story telling are its key success factors. We will continue to satiate India’s appetite for entertainment with interesting subjects like the one explored in Code M,” said ZEE5 India programming head Aparna Acharekar. 

    Juggernaut Productions COO Samar Khan said, “With the influx of digital platforms, content has evolved drastically, especially the stories and formats, leading to a highly competitive and cluttered environment. It’s extremely overwhelming that our first production has hit the right note with the audience.” Further added, “This is our first collaboration with ALT Balaji and ZEE5 but there’s more in the pipeline. Apart from Code M, we are delighted to extend our association with ‘A Married Woman’. The teaser has evoked a lot of curiosity and anticipation, we are all excited and geared up to create yet another exceptional series.”

    Jennifer Winget who made her digital debut with the role of Major Monica Mehra in Code M said, “I am both thrilled and humbled at the same time to see the audience’s appreciation for Code M and all our performances. We gave it our best to reel in a gripping show that would get you hooked. Of course, to receive so much love in my very first web series is very encouraging. Needless to say we’re hooked too and I am excitedly diving into my character the second time around. We will be giving it our all. The intensity will only peak, I can promise you that.”

    Tanuj Virwani, who plays the role of Angad Sandhu in the show, shared, “I think my character in Code M is a prime example of what one can achieve solely based on mutual trust and faith in each other’s creative vision. The team really let me mix things up and add my own nuances to Angad. It’s fun to be break away from our preconceived notions of what we expect an individual to be based on their choice of career. Also the subject matter of the show was very serious in nature for the most Part. I think Angad’s Vibe gave the show some levity. It also helped in humanising an otherwise cut and dry Monica to some extent. The response from critics and the audience alike has been overwhelmingly positive and I am excited to take the series and my character's journey ahead.”