MUMBAI: Heartbreak, redemption, and a past that refuses to let go-this 7 February, &pictures is bringing a tale that hits where it hurts and heals where it must. Mark your calendars as Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha premieres on Friday, 7 February, at 11 am, promising a cinematic rollercoaster packed with passion, suspense, and second chances.
Featuring powerhouse performers Ajay Devgn and Tabu, alongside Shantanu Maheshwari, Saiee Manjrekar, and Jimmy Shergill, the film weaves a tale of love and loss under the masterful direction of Neeraj Pandey—the man behind Baby, Special 26, and M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story.
At the heart of the narrative is Krishna (Devgn), a man haunted by his past, and Vasudha (Tabu), the woman who holds the key to his redemption. Their intertwined destinies unfold against a backdrop of intense emotions, moral dilemmas, and a search for the truth.
Devgn reflects on his character’s journey, saying, “This film is about resilience, emotions, and the battles life throws at us. Krishna’s story is one that will connect deeply with anyone who has faced struggles and fought to rise above them.”
Tabu, who shares a long-standing on-screen camaraderie with Devgn, adds, “Vasudha is a woman of immense strength, but her vulnerability is what makes her unforgettable. Neeraj Pandey’s direction ensured we brought our most layered performances to life. This is a story that lingers long after the credits roll.”
With its mix of raw emotions and edge-of-the-seat drama, Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha is set to leave a lasting impact. Don’t miss its &pictures premiere—because some stories aren’t just watched, they’re felt.
Mumbai: In a landmark moment for Hindi cinema, the Bharat Pavilion at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival is poised to unveil an exclusive sneak peek of the year’s most anticipated romantic musical thriller, “Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha” starring Ajay Devgn and Tabu in lead roles. This Cannes-only exclusive showcase will happen on 17 May.
Directed by Neeraj Pandey “Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha” promises to take audiences on a rollercoaster, tracing the journey of love over 23 years. From 2000 to 2023, the film examines the complexities of mature love, exploring themes of enduring companionship and unwavering devotion.
Oscar-winning M. M. Keeravani has composed the music for the film.
Producer Shreyansh Hirawat of NH Studioz will be present for the exclusive sneak peek.
“While I would be at the Cannes film market with our next few interesting line up of films, I am thrilled to share a glimpse of Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, exclusively at Bharat Pavilion for Cannes delegates. It would be nice to see the reaction from the film aficionados and industry professionals.” Informed Hirawat.
Produced by Shital Bhatia, Narendra Hirawat, Kumar Mangat Pathak (Panorama Studios) and Sangeeta Ahir, Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha is scheduled to hit theatres on 5 July.
Mumbai: Upon its OTT debut in January, the documentary “Secrets of the Buddha Relics” captivated audiences with its compelling storytelling and exploration of ancient mysteries. Following its premiere on the Discovery Channel, the documentary garnered widespread acclaim, ranking among the top five shows in the factual genre and establishing itself as one of the top-rated Indian originals on the channel. Its success extended to discovery+, where it claimed the number-one spot on the OTT platform, further solidifying its status as a must-watch production.
Created by acclaimed writer/director Neeraj Pandey and produced by Shital Bhatia, with direction by Raghav Jairath and hosted by actor Manoj Bajpayee, the show delves into the final days of Gautam Buddha and explores the origins and current state of the relics which have intrigues generations. The documentary traces the origins, cultural and spiritual significance and the mystical stories behind how the relics came to be. Continuing the momentum of the previous two installments, ‘Secret of the Buddha Relics’ has been well received by audiences and critics alike.
Commenting on the success, Manoj Bajpayee said “Seeing the ‘Secrets’ series become extremely popular has been incredibly exciting. It’s amazing to see the love viewers have showered on the franchise, and it shows how interested they are when history is brought alive in a fascinating way on-screen.” Secrets of the Buddha Relics’ has followed on the back of the previous two extremely successful series ‘Secrets of Sinauli’ and ‘Secrets of the Kohinoor’
Warner Bros Discovery head of factual and lifestyle cluster, South Asia Sai Abishek said, “We have constantly been striving to up the ante with factual entertainment. Our partners, Friday Storytellers, share our vision of elevating factual entertainment from the region by bringing larger-than-life stories to the screen. We have seen great reception with the ‘Secrets’ franchise and look forward to continuing our partnership with Friday Storytellers.”
Producer Shital Bhatia, emphasizing the commitment to quality content in factual entertainment, stated “Friday Storytellers vertical focuses on Documentaries, bringing History to life. History, though intriguing, must be backed by extreme and thorough research, separating myth from facts. We aim not only to cater to our strong and loyal audience but also to add newer audiences to the fold through authentic and entertaining storytelling”.
Raghav Jairath, director of the franchise commented “With the ‘Secrets’ franchise, we set out to create an entertaining yet credible series which all kinds of audiences will appreciate. The aim was to elevate the factual entertainment genre, drawing audiences who will actively seek more instalments of our franchise and we are glad we could make that happen as a team with the recent success of ‘Secrets of the Buddha Relics’.”
Collaborating with a diverse range of experts from around the world, Friday Storytellers has further solidified the authenticity and integrity of their documentaries. Esteemed figures such as Late Dr B. B. Lal – former director general of ASI (Padma Vibhushan), Dr B.R.Mani – former ADG, ASI, Dr KK Muhammed (Padma Shri), Dr Shashi Tharoor- Parliamentarian, Adv J Sai Deepak- Arguing Counsel, Supreme Court of India, Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi- Filmmaker, Dr Adrienne Munich- Stony Brook University, Mr. Navtej Sarna- former diplomat, Dr Halle O’Neal – University of Edinburgh and Dr Danielle Kinsey- Carleton University have lent their expertise, adding a significant level of credibility to the franchise among both general audiences and the global academic community.
Mumbai: Gautama Buddha’s teachings have stood the test of time, shaping the spiritual heritage of countless individuals across the globe. The allure of his wisdom is further explored in the latest addition to the ‘Secrets’ franchise – ‘Secrets of the Buddha Relics.’ Set to premiere on 26 February 2024, at 9:00 pm on Discovery Channel, this documentary – created by showrunner Neeraj Pandey, hosted by acclaimed actor Manoj Bajpayee, and directed by Raghav Jairath – promises an intriguing journey into the historical and cultural significance of Buddha’s relics. Here are five compelling reasons why you should mark your calendars for this enlightening experience:
1. Journey towards enlightenment: Gautama Buddha’s final days
Have you ever wondered how Gautama Buddha spent his Final days and how he laid the foundation for his teachings to be spread worldwide through his relics? ‘Secrets of the Buddha Relics’ answers just that through a comprehensive telling of the history of relics and the mystical stories behind their origins.
2. The classification and significance of Buddha Relics
The documentary skillfully presents a clear picture of the classification and significance of Buddha relics. It showcases various sites where Buddha relics are enshrined and venerated, such as Stupas like Piprahwa and Vaishali. It also illustrates how, after Buddha’s passing, the distribution of his relics among kingdoms ignited a powder keg of tension.
3. A stellar lineup of experts
Embarking on a captivating journey ‘Secrets of the Buddha Relics’ brings together a diverse panel of experts, including scholars, practitioners of Buddhism, historians, and archaeologists. With insights from renowned spokespersons such as filmmaker Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi, Dr. B. R. Mani, and Dr. Tishyarakshita Bhargav, among others, on the final days of Buddha, the distribution of his relics, Buddha’s last journey, and the locations of the relics, the documentary unveils the intricate tapestry of historical and mythological narratives intertwined with these relics.
4. Gautama Buddha’s last meal
Buddha’s last meal has been the subject of countless speculations and is shrouded in mystery. Various theories paint a vivid picture of Buddha’s final meal. ‘Secrets of the Buddha Relics’ examines the significance of this event through various accounts and historical evidence. Amidst these enthralling narratives, one prevailing belief emerges, portraying Buddha savoring a delectable delicacy called Sukara-maddava, which could be related to pork, mushroom, or truffle.
5. Relevance of Buddha relics
The documentary also emphasizes the significance of Buddha relics in the modern world and how they serve as potent symbols of enlightenment and peace. It also underscores how they have safeguarded and unified Buddha’s followers and how they have endured despite foreign invasions in the past.
Unlock the secrets of enlightenment. Don’t miss the premiere of Secrets of the Buddha Relics on Discovery Channel on Monday 26 Feb 2024 at 9 pm, also available on discovery+.
Mumbai: Gautama Buddha’s eternal wisdom has resonated with countless generations, transcending the boundaries of time, and echoing through the ages. However, what remains are ancient legends surrounding the final days of Gautama Buddha and relics that surround the very centre of Buddhism. Unravelling the history around the relics, Warner Bros Discovery returns with the third edition of the Secrets franchise – ‘Secrets of the Buddha Relics,’ releasing on 22 January 2024 on discovery+ and on 26 February 2024 at 9:00 pm on Discovery Channel. Created by Neeraj Pandey – Friday Storytellers and hosted by the versatile National Award and Padma Shri-awardee Manoj Bajpayee, the documentary will acquaint viewers with the historical and cultural significance of Buddha’s relics.
Speaking about Secrets of The Buddha Relics, actor Manoj Bajpayee, said, “I am thrilled to continue my ongoing collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery for the Secrets franchise. Working alongside Neeraj Pandey is always a rewarding experience with insightful takeaways that contribute to shaping the documentary. The documentary promises to transport viewers to the time of the Buddha, delving into the historical period that witnessed his life and teachings. It aims to connect audiences with profound stories that have played a pivotal role in shaping our spiritual heritage.”
Created by showrunner Neeraj Pandey, the documentary unravels the mysteries surrounding the last days of Gautama Buddha and the relics that serve as the epicentre of Buddhism in modern times. It will trace the origins, cultural significance, and mystical stories behind these relics, exploring their spread worldwide and the role they play in making Buddhism the world’s fourth-largest faith. Delving into the types of relics and their classification, the documentary combines historical and mythological narratives to provide a comprehensive understanding of their role in Buddhism.
Warner Bros Discovery head of factual & lifestyle cluster- South Asia Sai Abishek said, “As we continue to pioneer the history genre at Warner Bros. Discovery, the ‘Secrets’ franchise remains a sought-after and successful series. In the third edition, ‘Secrets of the Buddha Relics,’ we delve into lesser-known facets of the relics, offering insights into their contemporary significance. Our ongoing collaboration with Neeraj Pandey and Manoj Bajpayee, both pioneer storytellers, reflects our commitment to delivering compelling narratives. The success of the ‘Secrets’ franchise has revealed tremendous potential, prompting us to expand our history genre on the platform and provide compelling and engaging stories to our viewers.
The documentary will showcase insights from a diverse panel of experts, including scholars, practitioners of Buddhism, historians, and archaeologists. Renowned spokespersons such as filmmaker Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi (Padma Shri-awardee), Dr B. R. Mani (Director of General National Museum, New Delhi), Dr Tishyarakshita Bhargav (Sr Research Asst. Anthropology Dept. SSP University Pune), Dr Gurbaksh Singh (Ex Researcher, International Buddhist Exchange Center), Mr. Tarit Kanti Roy (Governing Body Member Maha Bodhi Society of India Kolkata), Dr Halle O’Neal (co-director, Edinburgh Buddhist studies University of Edinburgh, Scotland), and Dr Anil Kumar (head, Ancient Indian History Culture and Archaeology Visva Bharati, Shantiniketan) will contribute their insights to unfold the narrative. With captivating storytelling and creative treatment, the documentary is poised to leave a lasting impact on viewers.
Director Raghav Jairath reflected, “Through extensive research, we uncovered intriguing facets of Gautama Buddha’s life, sparking questions about his last day, the purpose behind the relics, how his followers connected with the relics and the profound impact of his teachings. Supported by our research team, subject experts, and Neeraj sir’s vision, we delved deep into the historical and cultural significance of Buddha’s relics, finding answers to many queries.”
“The success of the first two ‘Secrets’ instalments inspired us to explore Buddhism’s spiritual and cultural dimensions further. Our ongoing collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery allows us to tell stories that are bigger, better, and bolder. Working with Manoj sir has been a pleasure, as he elevates the storytelling with his remarkable expertise.”- Raghav added.
The “Secrets of the Buddha Relics” hosted by Manoj Bajpayee, will premiere on 22 January 2024, on discovery+ and on 26 February 2024, at 9:00 pm on Discovery Channel.
Mumbai: Inspired by the true story of how Bihar’s most dangerous criminal was caught, Khakee: The Bihar Chapter marks the first foray onto Netflix for iconic creator Neeraj Pandey. The crime series follows the epic tussle between two men on both sides of the law—one a feared gang lord and the other a fiercely upright Indian Police Service officer Amit Lodha.
Neeraj Pandey, who helmed box office hits such as MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, Baby, Special 26, Naam Shabana, A Wednesday, and Aiyaary, is bringing his inimitable style to this story of anarchy and conflict that changed Bihar forever, said Netflix.
The project is produced by Friday Storytellers and directed by Bhav Dhulia, starring Karan Tacker, Avinash Tiwary, Ashutosh Rana, Ravi Kishan, Anup Soni, Jatin Sarna, Nikita Dutta, Abhimanyu Singh, Aishwarya Sushmita, and Shraddha Das.
Speaking about his collaboration with Netflix and his upcoming series, Pandey said: “As an admirer of the platform, which stands for such diversity in content and formats, I am elated to announce Friday storytellers’ partnership with Netflix for our upcoming series Khakee-The Bihar Chapter. This cop-and-crime thriller, set during the early 2000s in the heartland of Bihar, is a big story which we have been wanting to create and share for some time. And through the directorial lens of Bhav Dhulia and the production expertise of my partner Shital Bhatia, we have endeavoured to bring the flavour alive with the tonality and treatment. Shot in extremely trying circumstances in Jharkhand and Bihar across multiple covid waves, it boasts of a talented ensemble depicting strong characters, which we hope will resonate with the local and global Netflix audiences.”
Netflix India’s VP of content Monika Shergill said, “We are excited to bring one of India’s best storytellers, Neeraj Pandey, to Netflix with his powerful crime drama series Khakee: The BiharChapter. Neeraj, a thrilling true story about the rise of a feared criminal and a determined cop, will transport audiences in India and around the world on an intense and unprecedented journey through Bihar.”
Mumbai: discovery+ on Friday announced Secrets of the Kohinoor, a new docuseries in the Secrets franchise that retraces the story of the world’s most precious diamond, ‘Kohinoor,’ and will premiere on 4 August 2022. discovery+, along with acclaimed director Neeraj Pandey and Bollywood actor Manoj Bajpayee, also intends to uncover the stories of multiple rulers and their insatiable desire for the ‘Kohinoor.’ The docuseries will be directed by Raghav Jairath.
Post success of Secrets of Sinauli: Discovery of the Century, discovery+ is expanding the Secrets franchise. The docuseries uncovers how the weight of the diamond has been slashed down to less than six times its original weight or it might not be the same diamond Emperor Babur mentioned in his memoir.
Docuseries will feature parliamentarian and author Dr. Shashi Tharoor, historian and AMU professor Irfan Habib, professor Dr. Adrienne Munich, Jamia Millia Islamia
professor Farhat Nasreen, archaeologist and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) ex-regional director K. K. Muhammed, AMU professor Dr. Manvendra Kumar Pundhir, Indian author-columnist, diplomat and former high commissioner for India in the United Kingdom, author J Sai Deepak, professor Dr. Danielle Kinsey, historian and professor Dr. Miles Taylor and master diamond polisher Pauline Willemse.
Speaking about the docuseries, Bajpayee said, “The opportunity to present this series in the franchise has been a uniquely satisfying and learning experience for me, and I am grateful to discovery+ and Neeraj Pandey for that. This project marks my second collaboration with them. Despite being talked about for years, there are many facts about the ‘Kohinoor’ that were unknown to me, and I am certain they would be unknown to a majority of the world as well. The revelations made in the documentary took me by surprise, and I cannot wait for viewers to explore this untold story and be just as surprised.”
Pandey added, “The unseen, disguised, and unknown historical facts have always intrigued and fascinated me, causing me to delve deep into the subject. After the amazing response to Secrets of Sinauli, the idea of exploring the mystery of the ‘Kohinoor’ excited us as it has been one of the most talked about diamonds in the history of time. “
“Our partnership with discovery+ has been great at bringing alive stories that are bigger, better, and bolder. Moreover, it is always a pleasure to work in collaboration with Manoj, who is a master of his craft and has taken the show to a whole new level with his striking storytelling expertise. The robust research, peppered with inputs from renowned scholars and experts, digs deep into the story of ‘Kohinoor’ to surface lesser-known facets of its journey whilst narrating the importance of bringing it back to its homeland,” he added.
Warner Bros. Discovery head of factual & lifestyle cluster- South Asia Sai Abishek shared, “We’re pioneering the history genre with our distinctive offerings that appeal to audiences across age groups. We have added another Indian Originals IP to our already expansive history genre on the platform with the growing Secrets franchise. Following the massive success of Secrets of Sinauli: Discovery of the Century, we realized the tremendous potential in the subject and thereby built on the successful collaboration with Neeraj Pandey and Manoj Bajpayee. The captivating history of ‘Kohinoor’ and its unexplored aspects are even more prevalent now and need to be known by audiences across the globe.”
Mumbai: Voot Select on Wednesday launched the trailer of its upcoming web series, titled Bandon Mein Tha Dum. The series will show the nail-biting journey of the 2020/21 India tour of Australia. Directed by Neeraj Pandey the web series will soon premiere exclusively on Voot Select.
The trailer was unveiled at a grand launch in the presence of ace cricketers Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Siraj, Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari and director Neeraj Pandey.
Coupled with a powerful script, behind-the-scenes footage, candid narratives from the winning squad like Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin, Cheteshwar Pujara, Mohammad Siraj, Rishabh Pant and Hanuma Vihari, their coaches, as well as journalists who covered the series, Bandon Mein Tha Dum sheds light on the trials and tribulations that the Indian cricket team had to navigate ahead of their unforgettable victory against team Australia at their home ground of Gabba, where they hadn’t lost a Test match for 32 years. The web-series focuses on how the team played extraordinarily high-quality cricket and simultaneously redefined the concept of hard work, perseverance, determination, and commitment, setting the highest standards of sportsmanship while breathing new life into the fading format of Test cricket!
Talking about how Bandon Mein Tha Dum came about, Neeraj Pandey said, “Bandon Mein Tha Dum is an epic tale that outlines ‘Miracles do happen’ and it happened in the India-Australia Test series 2020/2021 which culminated in India’s stunning defeat of the world no.1 test side at their hallowed home turf of Gabba where they hadn’t lost a test match for 32 years. The series was won by India in such a manner that it not only captured the imagination of the entire nation but also provided tremendous joy to the cricketing and wider sporting community all over the world at a time when people were still trying to come to terms with the devastation Covid-19 had brought in their lives. The human stories in this cricketing fairy tale elevated the series beyond a cricketing audience and created huge euphoria across all segments of Indian society. The nation was gripped and it was therefore befitting for us to bring the story to the people of India of one of the greatest comebacks in the history of sports and cricket.
Nothing excited me more than retelling this story which went beyond high-quality cricket, hard work, perseverance, determination, commitment, sportsmanship and decoding the x-factor through the mind of the players which repeated the David Vs Goliath story!”
Talking about the series, Viacom18 Digital Ventures chief operating officer Gourav Rakshit said, “At Viacom18 Digital Ventures we have successfully built an ecosystem that caters to the evolving needs of our viewers. With a strategy to create an everyday consumption proposition, we have consistently brought forward entertainment that is high in quality and binge-worthy. Our robustly curated content mix and our success with digital-first is a testament to our commitment to providing viewers with game-changing experiences. ‘Bandon Mein Tha Dum’ is the first of the many such narratives and we will continue to explore new genres and avenues that are in sync with our audience’s core values.”
Further Viacom18 head- SVoD and international business Ferzad Palia added, “Bandon Mein Tha Dum is a story that every Indian deserves to know, and re-live. The series is based upon the unheard stories and the real struggles behind the victory of the Indian cricket team during one of it’s toughest times. Neeraj is a storyteller par excellence and we are honoured to have him create this special event series for our members. This is the first among many of an entertainment slate like never before. We’re certain that the series will set a new benchmark in special event storytelling.”
MUMBAI: Hotstar Specials, along with Friday Storytellers, is set to launch the biggest spy action thriller of 2020, Special Ops. This fast-paced 8-episode series is based on the role of Indian intelligence in a series of real terror attacks that India faced over the last 19 years. Starting with the 2001 attack on Indian Parliament, the show goes back and forth in time covering several other events including 26/11, Kashmir terror attacks amongst others; and the chase for the single mastermind behind these attacks – making it the longest manhunt in Indian Intelligence for India’s deadliest enemy.
The show has been written by Neeraj Pandey, Deepak Kingrani and Benazir Ali Fida; all of them have spent years carefully researching the ways of Indian intelligence. Every aspect of the show has been conceptualized and created to deliver a high-quality thrilling experience. Keeping with the scale, it has been shot across numerous international locales including Turkey, Azerbaijan, Jordan and India.
Special Ops features an ensemble cast including acclaimed actor Kay Kay Menon along with the powerhouse talents such as Karan Tacker, Saiyami Kher, Divya Dutta, Vinay Pathak, Muzammil Ibrahim, Meher Vij, Vipul Gupta, Sajjad Delafrooz, Parmeet Sethi, Gautami Kapoor, Sana Khaan, Sharad Kelkar, KP Mukherjee, and many others.
Specials Ops is slated to release on 17 March 2020 in seven languages on Hotstar VIP.
STAR India Hindi Entertainment head Gaurav Banerjee said: “Neeraj Pandey is one of the most distinguished filmmakers of our time and we are delighted to partner with him for his digital debut. Our goal with Special Ops is to create an action-packed spy series that’s at par with global standards when it comes to quality and scale; it takes forward the Hotstar Specials agenda of bold and varied story telling on a big scale.”
Neeraj Pandey, who has created the show, added: “Special Ops is a story I thought of many years ago – it’s a big idea that required a lot of patience and research to pursue and develop. With newer and exciting formats of storytelling gaining prominence, we were able to build a fabulous team to create this larger-than-life story that strings together many real events from the past two decades. For the first time in the history of Indian entertainment, the 2001 Indian Parliament Attack has been recreated on celluloid. That’s just one of the many big moments from the show.”
“A big idea requires the right scale and platform to bring it altogether. This is an exciting partnership for us and has many firsts – first digital series from Friday storytellers, Neeraj’s first on the digital platform and our association with the largest OTT Hotstar. The show has the right mix of scale, talent and pace to enthral and entertain the audiences,” said Shital Bhatia who has produced the show.
MUMBAI: Star India, the nation’s storyteller and its most innovative content company across TV, Films & Sports, is ready with its next big leap in content on the back of its OTT, Hotstar. The company today announced the launch of Hotstar Specials, a bold and ambitious content foray featuring shows from India’s most acclaimed storytellers.
“Star has always challenged conventions and been at the forefront of content reinvention in India" said Sanjay Gupta, MD, Star India. “With the mobile phone leading an explosion in the number of screens in the country, we feel that our content also needs to reinvent and boldly move forward. With Hotstar Specials we hope to create the biggest Indian stories delivered to a billion screens. To bring this vision alive, we are proud to partner with a stellar line up of talent who are headlining our first set of Hotstar Specials"
For its first set ofHotstar Specials, Star India has partnered with the best storytellers of India including Shekhar Kapur, Neeraj Pandey, Kabir Khan, NikkhilAdvani, Ram Madhvani, Venkat Prabhu, Sudhir Mishra, Tigmanshu Dhulia, NageshKukunoor, Mahesh Manjrekar, Vishal Furia, Rohan Sippy, Debbie Rao, Sharad Devarajan and Salman Khan!
Hotstar Specials will feature an extensive variety of Indian stories, mounted on a big scale, unconstrained by format. The company's ambition is not to make this a narrow or niche play but to explode into the consciousness of the country in an unprecedented way.
Hotstar Specials will enable makers to tell their most passionate stories and provide them unmatched reach. The stories will provide a burst of variety across genres and formats and will be available in seven languages for viewers to consume them in a language of their choice. They will leverage the unprecedented reach of Hotstar to reach the length and breadth of the country and also reach global audiences. With 350 million downloads and over 150mn monthly active users, Hotstar is the country’s biggest OTT, significantly bigger than its closest competitors. The launch of Hotstar Specials is yet another moment of disruption for Hotstar, which has been at the forefront of change in the space of digital content in India.