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Tag: Mirzapur

  • Amazon Prime Video unveils trailer for Mirzapur season two

    Amazon Prime Video unveils trailer for Mirzapur season two

    KOLKATA: Guddu Bhaiya, Munna Bhaiya and Kaleen Bhaiya, the much-loved characters of Amazon Prime Video's Mirzapur are back.   

    The streaming platform has unveiled the trailer for its much-awaited second season of Amazon Original Series Mirzapur. It will start streaming from 23 October 2020. The show produced and created by Excel Media and Entertainment has gained popularity not only in India, but outside the country as well.

    According to a SEMrush study published in July, Mirzapur was the second most-searched show in January-December 2019. Among other Indian content churned out by Amazon Prime Video, this show is undoubtedly the most discussed one also.

    The 10-part new season of the hinterland crime drama, where power and revenge are the means to maintain order, will reveal what happened  to the infamous residents of Mirzapur, following the aftermath of a shocking season one finale. The new storyline dives deeper into the murky and rustic world of guns, drugs and lawlessness and traverses through myriad layers of vengeance, conspiracies, romance, drama and the formidable women power in the terrains of Mirzapur.

    “At Amazon, we do everything keeping our customers in mind. Their incessant demand for Season 2 of Mirzapur is a testament to the fact that we have spearheaded our efforts in the right direction,” Amazon Prime Video India originals head Aparna Purohit said.

    “The fandom that has built for the world of Mirzapur over the last two years has been phenomenal; viewers have expressed their love and appreciation for the show and are highly engaged and immersed in the lives of the characters. It’s characters have become a part of the popular culture. We have had a wonderful collaboration with Excel Media and Entertainment over many years and we are thrilled to join forces again for yet another gripping season. We are delighted to bring the highly-anticipated new season of the captivating and gritty crime drama, Mirzapur,” Purohit added.

    The streaming service has constantly kept its fans engaged with various marketing initiatives around its tentpole show. Recently, it uploaded the entire first season of Mirzapur on its official YouTube channel to gear up the audience up ahead of the second season hitting the platform.

    “For the last two years, our phones have been constantly ringing with fans waiting eagerly to watch Mirzapur Season 2. We are happy to put an end to the wait and present an all-new season to them.” Excel Entertainment producer Ritesh Sadhwani said.

    “We created the first season with the intent to ‘get our hands dirty’ with a pure hinterland drama; what really surprised us was the worldwide love that’s grown for our local show,” creator Puneet Krishna commented.

     “The success of the first season has set a benchmark and encouraged us to take the new season several notches higher. Viewers will be in for an immersive experience through the plot twists, character developments and captivating storyline in Season 2,” he added further.

  • Mirzapur season 2 set to release this October

    Mirzapur season 2 set to release this October

    KOLKATA: During pandemic, there was one question that kept popping on social media was- ‘When will season two of Mirzapur come?’ Keeping up the excitement, Amazon Prime Video today announced that the second season of its much anticipated Amazon Original Series Mirzapur, will launch on 23 October, 2020.

    Set in Mirzapur, the hinterland of North India, season one of the crime drama had taken the audiences into a dark, complex world of guns, drugs and lawlessness. It’s the relentless pace, well etched-out characters and nuanced narrative had left the fans wanting more.  

    With Season 2, the canvas of Mirzapur gets bigger but the rules remain the same. The much awaited Amazon Original Series is created and produced by Excel Media and Entertainment and will launch exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in over 200 countries and territories worldwide.

    Speaking on this momentous announcement, Amazon Prime Video India Originals head Aparna Purohit commented, “Mirzapur has truly been a game-changer title for us. The show heralded a new idiom of storytelling for Indian audiences – its characters have become a part of popular culture. We are certain that the riveting narrative of season 2 will leave our audiences mesmerized once again. ”

    “Excel Entertainment has received immense love for constantly pushing the envelope when it comes to creating impactful and powerful content,” Excel Entertainment producer Ritesh Sidhwani said. “Mirzapur was a step in that endeavor. It was not just about breaking boundaries for the audiences, but also for ourselves as content creators. Bringing thrilling and untold stories from India’s hinterland without losing authenticity has been our biggest win. All the praise that season one of Mirzapur has received, not just in India, but across the globe, is heartening. It pushes Excel Entertainment and Amazon Prime Video to continue the momentum with the second season of the show,” he added.

    “The love and the appreciation that the show has garnered since its launch has been simply overwhelming. Taking it a notch higher, we’re certain that the audiences are in for a visual treat in the sequel” creator Puneet Krishna said. “Seeing their excitement for season 2 for months now made each one of us deliver a performance that matches up to the scale at which the show has now placed itself. We are thrilled to take the fans to another dynamic world of Mirzapur that they have been waiting for a very long time,” he further added.

    The series is produced by Excel Media and Entertainment, created by Puneet Krishna and directed by Gurmeet Singh and Mihir Desai.

  • ‘Paatal Lok’ and ‘Mirzapur’ writers on creating content for OTT

    ‘Paatal Lok’ and ‘Mirzapur’ writers on creating content for OTT

    MUMBAI: A few digital shows have grabbed the attention of streamers in recent times, including Mirzapur and Paatal Lok. In a virtual conference with The Advertising Club Bangalore, writers Hardik Mehta and Gurmmeet Singh talk about their journey with Wavemaker VP Kishan Kumar.

    Mirzapur director Gurmmeet Singh said that he has been working on various kinds of films over the last 20 years and over the last five years that he’s been exploring the OTT ecosystem. Amazon Prime Video’s show Inside Edge creator and director Karan Anshuman wanted to work with Singh and the duo met for Mirzapur.

    Singh said that initially when the trailer was released people assumed it was similar to Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur. He said, “Later, people understood that it is a completely different series. A lot of credit goes to Mirzapur co-writer Puneet Krishna who has grown in the north belt. He had brought a lot of authenticity and humour to the show. The series had a different name before, but it was not going well with the story hence we changed it.”

    He further added that Mirzapur's story is underplayed and it was way more colourful on paper. In fact, a lot of casting choices were made considering the same aspect. The team decided to cast people who were endearing and more relatable. “Casting gave Mirzapur the leg to travel which sometimes other films and shows are not able to do. So, you have access to different countries, different people and these actors brought a lot of hope in an otherwise dark world,” he shared.

    Paatal Lok writer and national award winner Hardik Mehta has also been part of the entertainment industry for almost a decade. After quitting the foods and technology industries, Mehta joined an advertising firm as a copywriter. From there he developed an interest in filmmaking and documentary. Paatal Lok chief writer Sudip Sharma had seen his script for Kaamyab and roped him in. The shooting began in early 2017. 

    The show’s main reference point was from Tehelka ex-editor in chief Tarun Tejpal's book “The Story of my Assassins.” Mehta points out that the makers of the show wanted to create an investigative neo-noir kind story.

    He added, “Hathiram's world was completely created by us. We wanted a cop who is caught between personal and professional rut. He is a man who is caught between the cop world and bureaucratic nexus. We decided three main arcs of the show: firstly was Hathiram and his investigation, secondly the story was about the famous and left liberal journalist and as the country’s politics changed his personality changed and lastly, the story was around Hathiram’s personal story about his son and wife.”

    One of the unique things that Paatal Lok scriptwriters did was to submit their version of the episode every week. The best one was selected. 30 drafts were created for a ten-episode series.

  • India lacks bandwidth, financial ability to work in sequences like Hollywood

    India lacks bandwidth, financial ability to work in sequences like Hollywood

    MUMBAI: The last session of The Content Hub 2020 organised by Indiantelevision.com was moderated by Suraj Wanvari with screenwriter-director Karan Anshuman and director Gurmmeet Singh. The duo spoke on their learning while making shows for OTT platforms and the development process of Inside Edge and Mirzapur.

    In conversation with Wanvari, Anshuman and Singh spoke about their journeys as a writer and film director, challenges they faced, development of Inside Edge and Mizapur, OTT platforms, and the genres that will work well on OTT.

    Anshuman said, “Writing is my favourite part of filmmaking. While writing, we have to let the big idea win and we should allow them to come. Hollywood works on sequences and we want to work in the same manner but we don’t have that bandwidth or money to work in a similar format.”

    Singh said, “While in writing best idea wins, but as a director there is always a chance of improvisation as new ideas are always welcomed; it depends from case to case. We keep ourselves creatively open and engaging within the team.”

    Anshuman said, “There is a rigour about how streaming platforms access a project. On OTT there is a proper way of accessibility; there are good creative people who take their decisions.”

    Asked about which genres OTT platforms are looking at and what genres new writers should focus on, Singh said, “Gangster kind of stories has come to a saturation level; platforms are looking at comedy genre but it’s difficult to make them in long format.”

  • Amazon Prime Video unveils upcoming Originals line-up for 2020

    Amazon Prime Video unveils upcoming Originals line-up for 2020

    MUMBAI: Amazon Prime Video unveils upcoming content slate with 14 Indian Original titles, including a mix of new series and returning seasons of popular Indian Amazon Originals.

    The preview video offers viewers a glimpse into 13 other upcoming titles, including new scripted series such as The Last Hour, Bandish Bandits, Dilli, Paatal Lok, Gormint, Mumbai Diaries – 26/11, fresh unscripted formats including Sons of Soil – Jaipur Pink Panthers and Comicstaan Tamil.

    The platform with already hit Originals to also come up with its consecutive seasons this year. It plans to roll-out the second seasons of Mirzapur, Four More Shots Please, Breathe and The Family Man, along with the third season of Inside Edge.

    The diverse line-up highlights the creative powerhouses behind these titles, including Kabir Khan, Ali Abbas Zafar, Nikkhil Advani, Raj & DK, Farhan Akhtar & Ritesh Sidhwani, Reema Kagti, Rangita and Ishita Nandy, Mayank Sharma, Amritpal Singh Bindra, Amit kumar and Himanshu Mehra to name a few.

    The launch of these titles were revealed during Amazon’s chief executive officer Jeff Bezos’ recent visit to Mumbai, commemorating Prime Video’s 3 years in India.

  • Amazon Prime Video’s investments are reflective of long-term goals: Vijay Subramaniam

    Amazon Prime Video’s investments are reflective of long-term goals: Vijay Subramaniam

    MUMBAI: Amazon Prime Video has considered India as one of its key markets since it commenced its journey in the country almost three years ago. Initially, with less original content and more movies, it was usually conceived among consumers as a go-to place for movie buffs. As it went forward in the journey, the platform scaled up its number of originals with buzz-creating shows like Mirzapur, Made in Heaven. But when the platform evolved, the competition in the over-the-top ecosystem of the industry also intensified. However, Amazon Prime Video India content director and head Vijay Subramaniam thinks the platforms should look at the opportunity in a holistic manner rather than perceiving it as a battle against one another.

    “We are welcoming all forms of competition because it only sharpens the creativity and that’s a great place for everyone to tell us better stories. I think it’s important to look at the opportunity in a holistic manner than believe it’s a trading of one versus another,” Subramaniam said while speaking to Indiantelevision.com alongside the launch of its highly anticipated series The Family Man.

    The edgy drama-thriller series is set to release on 20 September which tells the story of a middle-class man who works for a special cell of the National Intelligence Agency. While he tries to protect the nation from terrorists, he also has to protect his family from the impact of his secretive service. The show has been produced by Raj Nidimoru & Krishna DK.

    Subramaniam said The Family Man has a broad and wide appeal of the show like the name suggests. On a confident note, he shared that there is some attractive element for everyone in the show across ages and genders. He pointed out that there is a family man which is very relatable in the context of the middle class while there is also a touch of great humour which again is very appealing. Moreover, the thriller aspect of the show also makes it more appealing to a broad segment of the audience.

    This year Amazon Prime Video India has launched a number of shows in different genres. Subramaniam noted the platform’s goal is to try and provide a wide range and variety of content. He also added that they are aware of the need of shows that can cross segments, even though at times they make a very conscious decision to keep a show well-defined to a particular segment only. But he also noted that despite defining a show to a segment, if it is made authentically it can cross over all the segments. He gave an example of Four More Shots Please where they were very clear that the show is going to tell a story all about women’s perspective of friendship but men also loved the show.

    “Every marketing campaign of ours is determined by the show and the audience that we are seeking to familiarise with. So, Family Man is no different. It’s a very important show for us. So, we will do a lot of interesting things. We are in all conventional mediums but most importantly we will do a lot of work digitally because it’s a natural extension of our digital medium and social conversations are massive. We even put out a music video, we created a song which got traction pretty quickly,” he commented on the marketing of the show.

    Having hosted different genres of shows, Subramaniam emphasises on the variety of the content. While there are days consumers would prefer a light comedy after a heavy day at work and there are days when they would prefer binge-watching a character drama like Mirzapur.

    “I think, given the diversity of the country, we are  culturally different and so, variety will always be a prime factor. It’s very early in the long-form content journey for anyone to put a finger and say this is the one genre that everybody wants. I think we will experiment and evolve, that’s how entertainment has evolved overall,” he added.

    “I think it is important for us to remain focused on making Amazon Prime Video a preferred choice for all entertainment. That’s the goal. Now, while we are building our originals, we have a lot more coming out in the next couple of months. It is also important to remember we love our films. Indian customers always enjoy the concept of cinema,” he added further.

    He also gave an example of various regional markets like Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada which have a thriving film industry because Indians are avid consumers of films. According to him, it’s important to make sure whatever the platform is offering is a fair representation of the taste and preferences of what consumers would like to watch.

    While the platform’s goal was to scale up the number of original shows from five to nine, it is looking at further scaling it up. The aim is to get to about between ten and twelve in 2020. Learning customer preference will also help fine-tune the content strategy in long run.

    International rival Netflix is also investing more in local content while Hotstar has forayed into original content space this year. Local OTT players are also going deep into regional markets to catch more consumers. Moreover, Apple is also making its entry with a monthly subscription of Rs 99.

    Subramaniam, however, does not look at it as a challenge. While the platform’s effort has always been to understand consumer preferences, deliver those expectations and over time, constantly deliver value, he added that the service, customer experience, content and other bouquet of services will help the platform to grow.

    “It is also important to recognise it's a big country and there is a lot of room to grow. We have 500 odd television channels. So, people are hungry for entertainment. There is an opportunity to be the centre of that and that’s what we are doing. We are welcoming all forms of competition because it only sharpens the creativity and that’s a great place for everyone to tell better stories,” he said.

    “We are happy at the way we are growing. Our focus is long-term. It’s a very important market for us, we are super-excited about the opportunities we have. Our investments are reflective of where we want to get in long-term. We are genuinely happy with where we are but there is a long way to go,” he signed off. 

  • 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.

  • VICE India Releases New Original Crime Series, ‘क Se Crime’ – The VICE Guide to Crime in India

    VICE India Releases New Original Crime Series, ‘क Se Crime’ – The VICE Guide to Crime in India

    Mumbai: Today, VICE India released the first episode, ’न Se Nakal Mafia’ of its non-fictional six-part crime series, 'क Se Crime – The VICE Guide to Crime in India’. The episode is currently airing on the VICE India Facebook Page. . The series is inspired by the now trending Amazon Prime Original crime thriller Series, ‘Mirzapur’.

    ‘Nakal Mafia’ takes a closer look at an act that seems to be quintessentially Indian, the cheating racket. Getting into a prestigious educational institution or government job is a matter of prestige for most in India; and a way to move up in life for many. This is the primary reason for criminal gangs that specialize in the ways to get ahead in papers to having examination centres infiltrated by examiners and teachers on exams thrive in UP and Bihar, that will do everything from leaking question their payroll, to even sending an impersonator to take an exam for someone else.

    The remaining episodes will release over the course of two weeks looking at different aspects of crime in Uttar Pradesh. These episodes include  ‘ग Se Gang’, a look at how organized criminal gangs function, and rise to positions of power and influence. The other episodes in the series include ‘श Se Shooter’, ‘औ Se Auzaar’, ‘फ Se Faraari’ and ‘स se Smuggling.’

    Subsequently, VICE India will be distributing this original episodic series beyond its owned-and-operated platforms in India; providing it global reach through its international presence.

    Speaking about the show, Samira Kanwar, Head of Content at VICE India said, “We are very excited to showcase this particular piece of original work to our audiences.  The VICE Guide To Crime In India, is a reflection of what we intend to do as VICE India – capture the pulse of India in a way that is culturally relevant and goes beyond languages or regions we come from.”

    #कseCrime

    Please watch the episode here: क se Crime: N se Nakal Mafia – Inspired by Amazon Prime Original's Mirzapur

  • VICE India unveils teaser of crime documentary ‘क Se Crime’

    VICE India unveils teaser of crime documentary ‘क Se Crime’

    MUMBAI: VICE India has launched the teaser of its crime documentary क Se Crime. Touted to be a non-fictional documentary episodic series, क Se Crime covers a whole length of crime-related stories of Uttar Pradesh.

    Present in India since April 2018, VICE India has launched 20+ original video content pieces and 100+ original editorial pieces aiming to be an all-inclusive voice of the youth showcasing the realities and diverse aspects of our country without conforming to the boundaries set by multiple languages or cultures.

    VICE India is a full-scale media company with content at its centre and a multi-platform distribution plan – producing scripted, film, news and culture content from India for television, SVOD, OTT, and digital platforms.