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Tag: Planet Marathi OTT

  • Planet Marathi OTT secures $5M investment from A & MA Capital USA

    Planet Marathi OTT secures $5M investment from A & MA Capital USA

    Mumbai: After three years of operations, Planet Marathi OTT has announced a significant investment from a prominent USA-based private equity firm, A & MA Capital USA. The initial investment, totalling approximately $5 million, is expected to increase over the next two quarters. This transaction marks one of the largest investments in the regional Indian entertainment sector to date.

    Commenting on the investment, Planet Marathi OTT founder Akshay Bardapurkar stated “We are committed to growing the Indian regional entertainment space and with this significant investment we are prepared to bolster our offerings and content slate. As a company we stay dedicated to bringing the best quality entertainment on OTT and with our new partners we will take this dedication to newer heights”.

    In addition to the private equity investment, Dcafe, a globally renowned media-tech company, has also entered into a strategic agreement with Planet Marathi OTT, further strengthening its technological capabilities.

    “Partnership with Dcafe platform represents a significant milestone for us, solidifying our position in the tech-driven entertainment landscape,” Bardapurkar added.

    Planet Marathi OTT continues to pioneer in the Marathi entertainment industry, leveraging these strategic investments to bolster its content library and technological infrastructure.

    Established with a vision to expand the horizons of Marathi OTT and provide an exclusive platform for industry talent and stories on a global stage, Planet Marathi OTT has consistently delivered content that pushes boundaries and captures audience imaginations. Boasting a diverse array of genres including romance, comedy, family drama, politics, crime, thriller, and satire, the platform has redefined the landscape of Marathi content in the digital sphere. It is home to national award winning content like Goshta Eka Paithanichi and most watched web series Raanbaazaar.

  • Planet Marathi OTT brings standup special ‘Ubhya Ubhya’

    Planet Marathi OTT brings standup special ‘Ubhya Ubhya’

    Mumbai: Planet Marathi OTT, the pioneer in Marathi digital content, is all set to tickle your funny bone with its latest offering, “Ubhya Ubhya,” a celebrity-packed standup comedy show that promises to be a riot of laughter and entertainment. The series is all set to stream on Planet Marathi OTT, starting 1 March 2024.

    With the introduction of the series, Planet Marathi OTT is strengthening its non-fiction AVOD slate. Along with ‘Ubhya Ubhya’, the platform’s non-fiction AVOD slate has original not fiction programming like Maitribodh, Patla Tar Ghya With Jayanti, Ek Kavita Down, NCPA Pratibimb, Colorful Kokan and Sonalee Kunal (Sonalee Kulkarni’s wedding). This content can be watched for free. Also, Planet Marathi OTT emerges first among Marathi content players offering non-fiction content through AVOD.

    Featuring a stellar lineup of 12 diverse artists, including renowned actors, digital sensations, and standup maestros, this show is gearing up to be a laughter-packed ride that will leave audiences in splits. The star-studded cast of “Ubhya Ubhya” includes Mahesh Manjrekar, Viju Mane, Sidhant Sarfare, Kranti Redkar, Ankita Prabhu Walawalkar (Kokanhearted girl), Ashay Kulkarni, RJ Pranit, Anish Goregaonkar, Parth Bhalerao, Ninad Gore, and Shrutik Kolambekar. With such an eclectic mix of talent, viewers can expect a rollercoaster of emotions, from hearty laughs to heartwarming moments.

    “Ubhya Ubhya” is a unique blend of humour, wit, and charisma brought to life by some of the most talented personalities in the Marathi entertainment industry. Each episode promises to deliver a fresh dose of laughter, making it a delightful viewing experience for audiences of all ages. What sets “Ubhya Ubhya” apart is its live audience setup, creating an energetic, lively atmosphere. The laughter, applause, and reactions from the audience add an authentic touch, making viewers feel like they are part of the comedic celebration.

    Planet Marathi OTT founder Akshay Bardapurkar expressed “Comedy is a challenging non-fiction genre, but when executed with finesse, it becomes a source of pure joy.  We have curated a lineup of personalities that is bound to captivate audiences and hold them spellbound in their seats. “Ubhya Ubhya” is bringing a special kind of comedy that will be enjoyed by both live and streaming audiences. To ensure it reaches more audiences we have added it to our non-fiction AVOD slate”

    The 12-episode series will be released every week exclusively on Planet Marathi OTT. This will ensure that viewers can savour the comedic brilliance of “Ubhya Ubhya” without missing out on the excitement that builds up with each episode. Presented by Akshay Bardapurkar and Planet Marathi, the series is produced by Zen Entertainment and directed by Shravan Ajay Bane.

  • Planet Marathi OTT appoints Abhijit Panse as director of content

    Planet Marathi OTT appoints Abhijit Panse as director of content

    Mumbai: Planet Marathi OTT, the world’s premier Marathi OTT platform, has announced the appointment of acclaimed filmmaker Abhijit Panse as director of content.

    In his new role, Panse will spearhead content identification, curation, and acquisition for the platform, while also overseeing a dedicated team tasked with pitching, producing, researching, and developing creative content. With a focus on establishing strategic direction and advancing long-term content objectives, Panse brings his extensive experience and creative vision to Planet Marathi OTT.

    A luminary in Indian entertainment, Abhijit Panse boasts a versatile portfolio encompassing directorial, writing, producing, and acting credits. Renowned for his contributions to blockbuster films such as “RaanBaazaar” (2022), “Rege” (2014), and “Thackeray” (2019), Panse’s multifaceted talents have earned him widespread acclaim within the industry.

    Talking about the appointment, Abhijit Panse commented, “ I have worked closely with Planet Marathi OTT for various projects and I am impressed by the sheer voracity of the team to change the game for Marathi content on the digital space. With me coming on board, I am excited to play a pivotal role in the content strategy and give more gems the right kind of push and a platform to showcase their brilliance”

    Planet Marathi OTT founder Akshay Bardapurkar shared “We have had a fabulous working relationship with Abhijit Panse. He has a keen creative eye and the right aptitude to lead Planet Marathi OTT’s content journey. We are thrilled to have in on board and welcome him officially as a part of our family”

    Established with a vision to expand the horizons of Marathi OTT and provide an exclusive platform for industry talent and stories on a global stage, Planet Marathi OTT has consistently delivered award-winning content that pushes boundaries and captures audiences’ imaginations. Boasting a diverse array of genres including romance, comedy, family drama, politics, crime, thriller, and satire, the platform has redefined the landscape of Marathi content in the digital sphere. Today, it stands as a beacon of excellence, housing the largest and most esteemed library of Marathi content on OTT platforms. The appointment of Abhijit Panse as director of content marks an exciting chapter in Planet Marathi OTT’s journey, symbolizing a continued commitment to innovation, quality, and the celebration of Marathi talent on a global stage. With Panse at the helm of content, the platform is poised to further elevate its content offerings and solidify its position as a trailblazer in the realm of digital entertainment.

  • Soumya Vilekar announces her exit from Planet Marathi OTT

    Soumya Vilekar announces her exit from Planet Marathi OTT

    Mumbai: Soumya Vilekar, the co-founder of the first-ever Marathi OTT app – Planet Marathi has parted ways and announced her exit from the organisation. Soumya has been associated with the brand since 2017 and played a key role in the forming and execution of the entire app right from its inception to the stage it has reached at present.

    Planet Marathi as a brand was established in 2017 with a vision of creating a niche of Marathi films, arts and culture across the world map. The company forayed from film production after producing Marathi films like AB Aani CD, National award-winning Goshta EKa Paithanichi, and Chandramukhi to the streaming app business during pandemic.

    At present, the company is currently valued at approximately Rs 200 crores while the app has a robust user base of more than one million internationally present in 100 countries. The venture was seed-funded by Vistas Media Capital Company, based out of Singapore. Soumya Vilekar who has contributed largely towards building the organisation and its growth is now stepping down from her established role as a co-founder.

    Soumya and her son, Anitya Vilekar who served as directors of the organisation have resigned from the board of directors. While the compliances and statutory processes are going on, the effective date would be from 31 January 2024.

    Soumya Vilekar shared, “It has been an exciting journey with Planet Marathi over the years. Building the brand and the organization right from scratch was an interesting learning experience .Working with the  team, associates and everyone else in different projects for the entire tenure has been quite enriching. Besides being a Co-Founder and CFO, I also had the privilege of taking on various responsibilities and playing multiple roles similar to CXO as well. As this journey comes to an end, all I would say is that bigger things are in the offing. There is always a greater journey when one decides to be constantly in the process of creating new worlds. About moving forward, I will announce my next venture soon.”

    Post her exit, Soumya has ambitious plans for a new venture that will focus on a media-based SaaS platform along with several other initiatives on the technology front. Soumya Vilekar is a published author,  poet, entrepreneur & film producer. Additionally, she is in the field of powder metallurgy and holds a joint patent in the same. As a co-founder of Planet Marathi OTT, the world’s 1st exclusive Marathi over-the-top service, she aimed to take Marathi Entertainment to the global level. She is also the author of ‘The Mystic Journey’, ‘Life -Inspiration to Spiritualism’, & ‘Winds of Phillia’ , while her last book was ‘Suroor of the Soul’ .Her books have been listed on sites of “The Poetic Society” by TS Eliot, Wheelers – New Zealand & University bookshop Australia. Her involvement in the combination of art, literature and entertainment industry gives an impetus for for newer projects. She also holds a joint patent in metal powder manufacturing and heads the company of the same business.

    She also works in the field of women empowerment by being a vocal contributor and a digital changemaker at WORLDPULSE which is a global non-profit organisation based at Portland Oregon, connecting more than 50,000 women across 190 nations.

  • Shailesh Amonkar and Darshan Gangakhedkar join Planet Marathi as strategic advisors

    Shailesh Amonkar and Darshan Gangakhedkar join Planet Marathi as strategic advisors

    Mumbai: Vistas Media Capital Company’s Planet Marathi OTT announced its leadership expansion with veteran experts in media, marketing, and business. The OTT platform has onboarded Shailesh Amonkar and Darshan Gangakhedkar in the roles of strategic advisors. They will assume the responsibilities of mentoring and guiding the team on monetisation and strategy for the fast-expanding company and its various departments.

    To develop exemplary capabilities, the focus is on appointing effective mentors who will steer and back pivotal decisions with their in-depth insight and command developed through years of market experience.

    With three decades of core experience in revenue generation and brand building, Shailesh Amonkar considers himself both a marketing and a sales person at heart. Having worked with media conglomerates like The Times of India Group and Sakal Media Group, Amonkar has also worked in new media and new product development. His specialities include the building and monetisation of audiences and communities. Amonkar is an entrepreneur who runs Kemistry Media Solutions, a media consulting firm.

    Commenting on his appointment, Amonkar said, “Planet Marathi OTT has surpassed expectations with its spectacular performance and ingenious ideas in concept and marketing. It will be an honour to guide as well as learn from these great minds, both fresh and experienced, all of whom are brimming with ideas for the firm.”

    Darshan Gangakhedkar, a media sales expert, is an entrepreneur and media professional. He comes with 20 years of extensive experience and has won many accolades in the media sales space throughout his time in the industry. He has worked with prominent regional media businesses, including Hindi language media houses, Nava Bharat and Raj Express, and the leading Marathi language daily Sakal from the prestigious Sakal Media Group. 

    Gangakhedkar’s comprehensive knowledge of the language industry and exceptional skills in active media sales make him a great mentor asset. Speaking on his appointment, he said, “It is always great to be surrounded by teams who are willing to push boundaries. I have been following Planet Marathi OTT’s outstanding trajectory closely and it will be exciting to work on developing this business further, taking it to newer heights.”

    Planet Marathi OTT founder and head Akshay Bardapurkar shared, “We are happy to announce that we will have the guidance of two exceptional names in the fields of media, branding and sales, both Shailesh Amonkar and Darshan Gangakhedkar. Planet Marathi OTT needs the expertise of these talents to draw out bigger goals and set out in the right direction to achieve them. Our teams will work to develop products, revenue streams, branding and audience engagement in the OTT space under the guidance of these professionals.”

    Founded and helmed by national award winner, Akshay Bardapurkar who is known as a game-changing icon in the industry, Planet Marathi OTT has made a mark for itself in a short span of one year. Since its inception in August 2021, the OTT platform has seen a phenomenal spike of 500 per cent in its subscriber base due to its path-breaking content slate and genius marketing efforts.

  • Mrinal Kulkarni joins Planet Marathi’s board of founders

    Mrinal Kulkarni joins Planet Marathi’s board of founders

    Mumbai: Film and television actor-director Mrinal Kulkarni has joined Planet Marathi OTT as part of its board of founders.

    “Kulkarni is aligned with Planet Marathi OTT’s vision as she comes with a mission to take Marathi web and OTT content to new heights,” said the statement.

    Kulkarni has decades of experience in both Hindi and Marathi entertainment and is known for numerous roles in hits like Avantika, “Yellow”, “Farzand”, “Ye Re Ye Re Paisa” to name a few. She has written films like “Rama Madhav”, “Prem Mhanje Prem Mhanje”, “Prem Asta”, and “Ti and Ti”. She is most fondly recalled as Indian TV’s famous character ‘Sonpari’.

    Kulkarni was recently seen on screen in “The Kashmir Files”. She has worked across genres and content formats and is one of the most talented professionals in the Indian entertainment industry.

    “It gives me great pleasure to assume this honourable position. I understand the great responsibility which comes with this role,” said Mrinal Kulkarni. “Web content is a great space to showcase the potential and power since it is a global platform with few barriers. I applaud the Planet Marathi OTT team for setting high benchmarks, not settling for less and creating new avenues for the Marathi web space. With my new role, I am glad I will be able to share my ideas and experience to take forward the platform’s efforts. It brings me great pleasure to say, we are poised for the next level in the OTT space.”

    “We are excited to have an industry veteran and expert like Mrinal Kulkarni onboard,” said Planet Marathi OTT producer and founder Akshay Bardapurkar. “With Mrinal joining us, we have upped the level of great expertise we have in our team. Mrinal embodies a sharp sense of business, innovation and craft, which is much needed in the OTT space. Her experience and vision will add to our mission of taking Marathi content to the world. She staunchly believes in the potential of Marathi content and it is an honour to have a powerhouse like her as a part of the Planet Marathi family.”

    Kulkarni begins her role starting from June along with other board of founders at Planet Marathi OTT.

    Singapore-based Vistas Media Capital is an investor in Planet Marathi OTT.

  • Women’s Day: Planet Marathi offers free annual subscription to all women

    Women’s Day: Planet Marathi offers free annual subscription to all women

    Mumbai: Streaming platform Planet Marathi has announced to offer women a free year-long subscription to its service on the occasion of International Women’s Day. 

    The plan can be availed by subscribing to the OTT service on 8 March, said the statement.

    “Today, women have established their excellence in all fields,” remarked Planet Marathi OTT founder Akshay Bardapurkar. “Their performance and sincerity towards their duty or work is certainly admirable.” Women at large have carved a niche for themselves in almost all walks of life and to celebrate this we are giving a kind of tribute to women by means of a free yearly subscription and what better day than a Women’s Day.”

    Planet Marathi OTT is backed by Vistas Media Capital and launched a year ago offering digital entertainment to Marathi audiences with a variety of exclusive Marathi content. Their content ranges from web series, films, classic library of films, music, concerts, folklores and upcoming genres like karaoke tracks, podcasts and celebrity shows etc. The platform is accessible via app downloadable on Play Store, App Store and through its website. 

  • Planet Marathi launches anthem song featuring Marathi film & TV celebs

    Planet Marathi launches anthem song featuring Marathi film & TV celebs

    Mumbai: Planet Marathi, the first-ever Marathi OTT platform for exclusive regional content, has released an anthem saluting the pride of the Marathi language.

    The song features prominent names from the Marathi film and television fraternity, namely, Sharad Kelkar, Amruta Khanvilkar, Sonalee Kulkarni, Tejaswini Pandit among many others.

    Directed by Pushkar Shrotri, the song is penned by lyricist Sameer Samant and composed by Kaushal Inamdar. Mithilesh Patankar and Amit Padhye have arranged the musical treat. Swapnil Bandodkar, Adarsh Shinde, Yogita Godbole, and Vaishali Made have crooned it, with backing from Suzanne D’mello and Leon D’souza.

    Actor Sharad Kelkar shared his thoughts on being a part of this anthem and said, “Today Marathi industry is looked upon as a regional entertainment industry, whereas we are more than the language. We are part of a legacy that is centuries old. The planet Marathi anthem truly honors that legacy and so does this platform.”

    Amruta Khanvilkar commented, “Being a part of Planet Marathi Anthem was like being a part of Marathi history, culture, pride, and its heritage. It was an amazing experience to be sharing the screen with almost every Marathi superstar. Planet Marathi has taken a bold and revolutionary step towards strengthening the industry and binding us together. This song signifies the spirit of togetherness. Also talking about Akshay who comes with a strong vision and I trust with what he steps into.”

    Tejaswani Pandit said, “It is so exciting to be a part of this movement that Planet Marathi OTT has started. The movement of digital transformation in Marathi entertainment is marked by this anthem that speaks about the unified force that the Marathi entertainment industry is. I am so overwhelmed to be a part of this one big family that is steering the industry towards a better future.”

    Planet Marathi head & CMD Akshay Bardapurkar said, “Planet Marathi has always been on an endeavour to raise the bar for Marathi language, entertainment, art and talent. With the launch of our Planet Marathi OTT platform, we have redefined Marathi entertainment for the world. The new wave in Marathi has already begun, it is only right to coronate this landmark moment with an anthem that invokes the same pride in every Maharashtrian heart. I am grateful that every prominent face of the Marathi entertainment industry has proactively joined this movement. This industry has time and again demonstrated that we are one big family that steers the industry towards a glorious future. This anthem will surely inspire the audiences with the same comradery.”

    Planet Marathi OTT, powered by Vistas Media Capital, was launched with the release of first-ever Marathi TVOD film “June” on 30 June.

  • Sidelined by Bollywood, Marathi content will be redefined by Planet Marathi, says Akshay Bardapurkar

    Sidelined by Bollywood, Marathi content will be redefined by Planet Marathi, says Akshay Bardapurkar

    Thiruvananthapuram: The Marathi entertainment industry has often failed to get due recognition, despite producing quality content for years now, thanks to the overshadowing glitz and glamour of Bollywood, according to Planet Marathi’s founder Akshay Bardapurkar. 

    Planet Marathi was therefore launched in 2017 by Bardapurkar, as a nodal digital platform to not only connect Marathi speaking audiences across the world, but also redefine the reach and popularity of quality Marathi content. 

    Celebrating its fourth anniversary, and through the course of these years, Bardapurkar and his team have successfully emerged as one of the most noted production houses in the Marathi industry. In 2020, Amitabh Bachchan made his debut in Marathi filmdom with the movie, ‘AB Aani CD’ under the banner of Planet Marathi. The company has also launched an initiative named ‘Planet Talent’, with the aim of according due recognition to and highlighting supremely talented artistes from Maharashtra. 

    Talking about Bollywood under shadowing Marathi content, Bardapurkar said, “Marathi filmmakers are among the best, and globally renowned for their work. The Marathi industry was undermined due to several factors. The problem was that Marathi always lacked the branding and packaging, which the other regional players like in Tamil and Telugu, have never refrained from. They have created the stardom which is a requisite (component of industry). They branded their products very well. This is what we intend to do by creating varied content in Marathi. We are sure that we will be able to match up to Bollywood or even any other regional languages in the future.”

    Bardapurkar, in association with actor Pushkar Shrotri and music composer Aditya Oak, plans to launch an OTT platform exclusively dedicated to Marathi content. The OTT platform was originally scheduled to launch in May, but the second wave of the Corona virus of 2019 resulted in the launch of Planet Marathi OTT being postponed. Despite tight competition from mega players like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+Hotstar, Bardapurkar is quite confident about the Marathi OTT platform being able to affirm its position in the market through the strategic use of unique content for audiences.

    “Technology is at the highest level today. Language is not a barrier on OTT platforms. Films released on OTT are considered world movies, just like we watch Latin, Spanish, and Korean films. I believe Marathi films with English subtitles will attract global audiences. We have (a large pool) of talent, and it is necessary to market it wisely. However, we should make sure that the content is crisper,” added Bardapurkar. 

    An official announcement regarding the re-scheduled launch of the OTT platform is expected to be made in the near future.  

    Bardapurkar revealed that he does not visualize a target audience while creating content, and emphatically states that content offered by Planet Marathi will cater to the needs of people, irrespective of age demographics. 

    Apart from creating original movies, Planet Marathi also plans to launch many non-fiction shows, and games. According to Bardapurkar, Planet Marathi’s OTT platform will not just be an OTT platform uploaded with movies, but instead, it will be a super-platform offering non-fiction shows ranging from music contests to cookery shows. 

    Bardapurkar revealed that his company has successfully laid the foundation, over the past four years, for the future to witness a creative movement that will open up a world of high-quality Marathi content for global audiences. 

  • Planet Marathi hires journalist Jayanti Waghdhare as AVP, Social Media

    Planet Marathi hires journalist Jayanti Waghdhare as AVP, Social Media

    Mumbai: Planet Marathi on Tuesday has appointed senior journalist Jayanti Waghdhare as its AVP, Social Media. Waghdhare has previously worked with Zee Media Corporation Limited. 

    “Having worked as an entertainment correspondent I have formed a deeper relationship with this industry. From television to films and from regional to Bollywood, I have endeavoured to bring the action from the industry to the spotlight. Now I move on to become the face behind the camera in propelling Planet Marathi OTT- World’s first Marathi OTT platform towards greater heights,” said Waghdhare.

    Planet Marathi CMD Akshay Bardapurkar said the position needed a fresh perspective and an in-depth understanding of how the media industry works, and an insightful content creator all bundled in one. “We want to keep a close connection with our audience and with Jayanti onboard, we will be able to forge these connections effectively,” he said.