Tag: Prime Video

  • The Night Manager returns with new secrets, new spies and old scars

    The Night Manager returns with new secrets, new spies and old scars

    MUMBAI: The night is getting darker, and Jonathan Pine is back to face the ghosts he thought he’d buried. Prime Video has announced that the highly anticipated Season Two of The Night Manager will premiere on Sunday, 11 January 2026, with the first three episodes dropping together, followed by a weekly rollout until 1 February 2026. The six-part series will stream exclusively on Prime Video worldwide (excluding the UK) and on BBC and BBC iPlayer in the UK.

    Eight years after its explosive Season One finale, the Emmy, Golden Globe and BAFTA-winning spy drama returns more dangerous, more deceptive, and just as addictive. Tom Hiddleston reprises his Golden Globe-winning role as the enigmatic former spy Jonathan Pine, who now lives under the alias Alex Goodwin. But when the past comes knocking in the form of a rogue mercenary and a global conspiracy, Pine is pulled back into the shadowy world he once escaped.

    This time, he’s not alone. Olivia Colman returns as the steadfast intelligence officer Angela Burr, while Diego Calva (Babylon, Narcos: Mexico) and Camila Morrone (Daisy Jones & The Six) join the cast as new players in Pine’s perilous new mission. The cast also includes Indira Varma, Paul Chahidi, and Hayley Squires, alongside returning favourites Alistair Petrie, Douglas Hodge, Michael Nardone, and Noah Jupe.

    Filmed across the UK, Spain, Colombia, and France, the new season raises the stakes with a global plot that spans continents and conspiracies. Pine, now a low-level MI6 officer running a quiet surveillance unit, is thrust into action after a fateful encounter with Colombian businessman Teddy Dos Santos (Calva) unravels a deadly arms network. Partnering with businesswoman Roxana Bolaños (Morrone), Pine must navigate treacherous alliances and buried betrayals to expose a plot designed to destabilise an entire nation.

    Created and executive produced by David Farr, and directed by BAFTA-winner Georgi Banks-Davies (I Hate Suzie, Paper Girls), the second season is once again based on the characters from John le Carré’s novel. It’s produced by The Ink Factory, in association with Character 7, Demarest Films, 127 Wall, and Spanish co-producer Nostromo Pictures.

    Executive producers include Stephen Garrett, Simon and Stephen Cornwell, Michele Wolkoff, Adrián Guerra, Hugh Laurie, and Tom Hiddleston himself. With such a powerhouse creative team, The Night Manager promises another elegant blend of espionage, emotion, and edge-of-your-seat tension.

    Season One, which premiered in 2016, was lauded for its razor-sharp writing, lush cinematography, and powerhouse performances bagging 11 BAFTA nominations, three Golden Globes, and critical acclaim worldwide. Season Two now picks up the story eight years later, delving deeper into Pine’s fractured psyche and the blurred lines between loyalty, deception, and survival.

    With betrayal lurking in every shadow and old enemies reborn, The Night Manager returns not just as a spy thriller, but as a study in reinvention of both its hero and the genre itself. After all, in the world of espionage, the night never truly ends; it only gets darker.

  • The Family Man returns: Srikant now the hunted

    The Family Man returns: Srikant now the hunted

    MUMBAI: Looks like Srikant Tiwari just made India’s most-wanted list. Prime Video has unveiled the high-voltage trailer for The Family Man Season 3, the beloved spy-thriller created by Raj & DK, which premieres globally on November 21.

    This time, the tables have turned. The once calm and composed undercover agent, played by Manoj Bajpayee, is now on the run, not only from new foes Rukma (Jaideep Ahlawat) and Meera (Nimrat Kaur), but also from TASC, his very own intelligence unit. The trailer teases an intense cat-and-mouse chase as Srikant’s double life crumbles, blurring the lines between family and duty.

    The new season promises everything fans love about The Family Man, razor-sharp wit, breathtaking action, emotional turmoil, and a dose of desi espionage swagger. Alongside Bajpayee, the stellar returning cast includes Priyamani, Sharib Hashmi, Shreya Dhanwanthary, Ashlesha Thakur, Vedant Sinha, and Gul Panag.

    Creators Raj & DK shared, “Season 3 takes Srikant’s professional and personal chaos to a whole new level. With Jaideep and Nimrat joining the universe as formidable new adversaries, this season pushes him to his absolute limits.”

    Echoing the excitement, Manoj Bajpayee said, “For years, fans have asked me when Srikant Tiwari is coming back, and now the wait is over. This season is bigger, bolder, and far more dangerous. Srikant is cornered like never before.”

    New entrants Jaideep Ahlawat and Nimrat Kaur called the experience “thrilling and surreal,” with Nimrat describing The Family Man as “a dream come true” for any actor.

    Directed by Raj & DK, with Suman Kumar and Tusshar Seyth joining the director’s chair, the new season of The Family Man will stream in over 240 countries and territories on Prime Video. So, buckle up, India’s favourite spy is back, but this time, the hunter has become the hunted.

  • Prime Video adds south cinema blockbuster hub

    Prime Video adds south cinema blockbuster hub

    MUMBAI: The streaming giant has launched AP International South Cinema as its newest add-on subscription, giving fans a dedicated space to enjoy some of Tamil and Malayalam cinema’s most celebrated films, from blockbusters to cult favourites, for just Rs 399 a year.

    The new add-on brings together an impressive library of acclaimed titles, including Tamil gems like Sivakasi, 7/G Rainbow Colony, Pudhupettai, and Ghilli, alongside Malayalam hits such as King Liar, Puthiya Niyamam, and Annayum Rasoolum. The collection spans genres and generations, offering viewers a rich taste of South India’s storytelling brilliance.

    Announcing the launch, Prime Video Ads India head of marketplace (add-on subscriptions and movie rentals) Gaurav Bhasin said, “We’re delighted to bring AP International South Cinema to Prime Video’s growing local language line-up. This collaboration celebrates India’s diverse filmmaking heritage and strengthens our mission to make Prime Video a one-stop destination for entertainment.”

    AP International managing director Sanjay Wadhwa added, “True cinema transcends language and time. Through this partnership, we’re proud to share the soul of Tamil and Malayalam storytelling with audiences everywhere, celebrating the past while shaping the future.”

    With this addition, Prime Video continues to expand its video entertainment marketplace, offering seamless access to premium content across multiple OTT services. Subscribers can enjoy easy billing, unified search, personalised recommendations, and offline viewing, all within the familiar Prime Video experience.

    For fans of South Indian cinema, it’s a blockbuster upgrade, no language barriers, no extra apps, just great films at the click of a button.

     

  • Swipe right on India’s next digital revolution

    Swipe right on India’s next digital revolution

    MUMBAI: Forget just astrology, bollywood and cricket, India’s digital appetite now runs from A to G. According to the Swipe Before Type report unveiled at Lumikai Insignia 2025, Indians are now paying for astrology, bollywood, cricket, dating, education, fandom, and gaming, reflecting a seismic shift from the old offline A-B-C of entertainment to a mobile-first, monetised mosaic.

    Launched by Lumikai, India’s first gaming and interactive media VC fund, the report unpacks how a generation raised on touchscreens is swiping, streaming, and spending its way into new digital frontiers. The insights, drawn from nearly 3,000 mobile users, reveal a nation that’s not just watching but participating.

    Women now make up 46 per cent of India’s interactive media audience, two-thirds hail from non-metro regions, and a whopping 80 per cent use UPI for payments. Half of them subscribe to multiple apps, and one in two downloads a new app every week, proof that India’s entertainment economy is no longer passive, it’s passionately participatory.

    Gaming, once a niche, now commands the biggest share of digital wallets, with players willing to pay for upgrades, skins, and ad-free experiences. Video streaming remains king, with 54 per cent of users paying for premium plans across Netflix, Prime Video, and JioHotstar. Social platforms, meanwhile, are transforming into mini marketplaces where virtual gifting, in-app purchases, and even astrology consultations drive recurring revenue.

    New content trends are also taking hold. Microdramas and short-form storytelling are capturing bite-sized attention spans, while anime has gone mainstream, led by hits like One Piece and Naruto. AI adoption is accelerating too, metro users are 2.5 times more likely to integrate AI into their daily routines than their non-metro counterparts.

    “India has moved from paying for A-B-C offline to A-B-C-D-E-F-G online,” said Lumikai founder and managing partner Salone Sehgal. “Cultural shifts and tech habits are creating entirely new monetisation frontiers.”

    As Sehgal puts it, India isn’t just watching the digital future unfold, it’s swiping it into existence.
     

  • Australia forces Netflix and Disney+ to bankroll local content

    Australia forces Netflix and Disney+ to bankroll local content

    MUMBAI: Australia has stopped asking nicely. The government will introduce legislation this week forcing streaming platforms to invest in Australian drama, children’s shows, documentaries and educational content—or face the consequences.

    Any service with more than a  million Australian subscribers—Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime and others—must commit at least 10 per cent of their local expenditure, or 7.5 per cent of revenue, to homegrown productions. It’s a quota system that puts streamers on par with free-to-air and pay television, which have long faced similar obligations.

    The rules were meant to arrive in July last year but got tangled in trade politics. Concerns about how they would mesh with Australia’s free trade agreement with America led to a pause. The government blamed difficulty negotiating with Washington during an election year. After Donald Trump’s victory, questions swirled about whether the quotas could trigger retaliatory tariffs.

    With both elections now behind them and the US-Australia relationship stable, Canberra has pushed ahead. Tony Burke, arts minister, and Anika Wells, communications minister, framed the move as a jobs safeguard for an industry increasingly threatened by artificial intelligence.

    “Since their introduction in Australia, streaming services have created some extraordinary shows,” Burke said. “This obligation will ensure that those stories—our stories—continue to be made.”

    Wells pointed to Bluey, the children’s programme that became a global phenomenon, as proof of concept. Australian content connects people with “who we are” and shares that with the world, she said.
    The government hasn’t explained how it will calculate the two quota options—10 per cent of expenditure or 7.5 per cent of revenue—leaving room for future friction with the platforms.

    The Australian model raises an obvious question: could India impose similar quotas? While Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Lionsgate Play are commissioning o9r acquiring local content, it’s unclear whether they’re hitting anything close to a 10 per cent threshold. Indian regulators have repeatedly failed to enforce local quotas on television channels, making it unlikely they’ll succeed with streamers.

    But the precedent matters. If Australia can strong-arm global platforms into funding local productions without sparking a trade war, other markets may feel emboldened to try. For now, India’s streaming landscape remains a free-for-all—heavy on local content by choice, light on obligation by design. Whether that changes depends less on regulatory ambition than political will. And in India, that’s always been in short supply.

  • McCartney hits the right note with Man on the Run

    McCartney hits the right note with Man on the Run

    MUMBAI:  He may have left The Beatles behind, but Paul McCartney never missed a beat. Man on the Run, a new documentary streaming globally on Prime Video from 25 February, takes audiences on a front-row journey through McCartney’s life after the world’s most famous band split up.

    Directed by Academy Award-winner Morgan Neville, the film charts McCartney’s creative rebirth alongside his wife Linda, as the two form Wings and redefine what it means to start again under the glare of fame. Packed with never-before-seen footage and rare archival treasures, the documentary offers an intimate glimpse at the man behind the music, facing both artistic challenges and personal triumphs.

    Produced by Tremolo in association with MPL and Polygram Entertainment, Man on the Run will first hit select cinemas before landing on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories.

    But that’s not all, the film headlines a larger partnership between McCartney, Universal Music Group, and Amazon, set to roll out over the coming year. Fans can look forward to exclusive music releases, limited-edition merchandise drops, and even McCartney’s own commentary on Amazon Music.

    The collaboration also coincides with the November release of Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run, his companion book, and Wings, a self-titled definitive music collection arriving on vinyl and streaming platforms. Add to that his upcoming Got Back tour across North America, and it’s clear Sir Paul’s still flying high.

     

  • Prime Video takes a shot with NBA League Pass debut in India

    Prime Video takes a shot with NBA League Pass debut in India

    MUMBAI: Prime Video is dribbling into new territory and it’s nothing but net for basketball fans in India. The streamer has announced the arrival of NBA League Pass as an add-on subscription, marking the first time ever that the NBA’s official live and on-demand service is available through Prime Video in India.

    For hoops lovers, this means game time just got a whole lot easier to access and binge. NBA League Pass offers subscribers access to 1,000 plus games per season, including every regular season clash, the NBA All-Star, Playoffs, Conference Finals, and the NBA Finals, along with replays, highlights, and NBA TV at no additional cost. Fans can stream the action live or catch up later no shot clock pressure.

    Three subscription options cater to every kind of fan. The standard League Pass, priced at Rs 219 per month, provides access to all games and NBA TV on one device. For superfans who like more flexibility, the League Pass Premium at Rs 329 per month includes NBA TV, offline viewing, streaming on up to three devices, and even an in-arena feed. Meanwhile, the Team Pass at Rs 199 per month is perfect for loyalists who want to follow their favourite team throughout the season.

    But the slam dunk doesn’t end there. Prime members will also get access to select marquee games from the NBA 2025–26 regular season as part of their standard Prime Video subscription marking the inaugural season of NBA on Prime.

    The season tips off on Saturday, 25 October, with an electrifying opening week doubleheader, the New York Knicks hosting the Boston Celtics at 5am IST, followed by the Minnesota Timberwolves facing off against the Los Angeles Lakers at 7:30am IST.

    To set the stage for this new era, Prime Video Sports also unveiled the NBA on Prime Studio, previewed at Amazon MGM Studios in Culver City, California. The launch event brought together top Amazon executives, NBA production talent, and an all-star lineup of basketball legends including Blake Griffin, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, Udonis Haslem, John Wall, Rudy Gay, Candace Parker, Dwyane Wade, Swin Cash, and Brent Barry, alongside host Taylor Rooks, announcer Ian Eagle, and analysts Stan Van Gundy, Cassidy Hubbarth, and Allie Clifton.

    With the NBA’s energy now streaming straight to living rooms, Prime Video is setting up for a fast break into India’s growing sports entertainment space, one where fans can skip the highlights and go straight for the full-court experience.

    Because this season, Prime Video isn’t just delivering shows, it’s delivering showtime.

     

  • Love goes Prime Time as Param Sundari streams across 200 nations

    Love goes Prime Time as Param Sundari streams across 200 nations

    MUMBAI: Move over long-distance love Param Sundari just went global! Prime Video has rolled out the red carpet for the exclusive worldwide streaming premiere of Param Sundari, a romantic comedy that promises equal parts laughter, love, and cultural chaos.

    Produced by Dinesh Vijan under the Maddock Films banner and directed by Tushar Jalota, the film stars Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor in a charming tale that’s as warm as it is whimsical. Now streaming in India and over 200 countries and territories, the film is the latest addition to Prime Video’s growing bouquet of homegrown blockbusters reaching global screens.

    Set amid the lush backwaters of Kerala, Param Sundari follows the unlikely romance between Param, a cheerful Punjabi boy from Delhi, and Sundari, an independent Malayali woman. What begins as a classic culture clash soon turns into a heartfelt journey of discovery with a generous helping of humour, emotion, and musical magic.

    Director Tushar Jalota calls the film “a celebration of love in its most joyful and unpredictable form.” He adds, “We wanted to create a story that feels alive and heartfelt something that makes you laugh, smile, and believe in love again. With its digital premiere, audiences everywhere can now experience the same warmth that we felt while making it.”

    For Prime Video, Param Sundari is yet another step in its mission to deliver Indian stories with universal appeal. “Our focus has always been on bringing audiences stories high on entertainment, emotion, and heart,” said Prime Video India director and head of content licensing, Manish Menghani. “Param Sundari perfectly embodies these values, it’s fun, warm, and deeply engaging. We’re thrilled to bring it to Prime members around the world.”

    For the leads, the film felt like revisiting the golden era of romance with a modern twist. “Param Sundari takes you back to a time when love was honest, a little messy but full of heart,” said Sidharth Malhotra. “Playing Param reminded me why I fell in love with romantic stories, they make you smile, believe, and reflect on your own journey.”

    Co-star Janhvi Kapoor echoed the sentiment: “Shooting in Kerala was magical. The story celebrates emotion and culture in such a beautiful way that it felt more like an experience than just a film. I think audiences everywhere will connect with that authenticity.”

    With its scenic settings, soulful soundtrack, and feel-good storytelling, Param Sundari is poised to be more than just a weekend watch, it’s a reminder that love, in all its unpredictable glory, still finds a way.

    So whether you’re in Kochi, Kensington, or Kansas, Param Sundari is now streaming proving that when it comes to matters of the heart, distance is just another subplot.

     

  • Hrithik Roshan brews a storm with Prime Video

    Hrithik Roshan brews a storm with Prime Video

    MUMBAI: Hindi cinema’s Greek God is ready to stir up a storm, quite literally. Hrithik Roshan has joined hands with Prime Video for his first-ever streaming venture, producing a gripping new thriller series titled Storm (working title) under his banner HRX Films, a division of Filmkraft Productions.

    Created and directed by Ajitpal Singh, the series promises an intense cocktail of ambition, secrets, and survival set in the beating heart of Mumbai. With Parvathy Thiruvothu, Alaya F, Srishti Shrivastava, Rrama Sharma, and Saba Azad leading the cast, production is set to roll soon.

    Speaking about the collaboration, Prime Video vice president APAC & MENA Gaurav Gandhi said, “Hrithik is one of Indian cinema’s most distinguished creative forces. This partnership marks an exciting milestone for us, bringing together his artistic vision and our global storytelling platform.”

    HRX Films founder Hrithik Roshan said, “Storm presented the perfect opportunity to make my debut as a producer in the streaming space. The world Ajitpal has created is raw, layered, and powerful. It’s a story that will resonate with audiences not just in India but around the world.”

    Storm marks a dynamic new phase for HRX Films, led by Hrithik and Eshaan Roshan, and signals Prime Video’s continued investment in bold, homegrown narratives with international appeal.

    With its layered characters, powerhouse female leads, and an undercurrent of suspense, this is one storm viewers will want to get caught in.

  • Nearly 25 per cent of Prime Video’s Indian content viewership comes from abroad

    Nearly 25 per cent of Prime Video’s Indian content viewership comes from abroad

    MUMBAI: Indian stories are winning hearts worldwide. At Ficci Frames 2025, Prime Video India’s senior leadership showcased how Indian content is not only thriving domestically but also making waves internationally.

    Under the session titled “Made in India: I-Dramas — Are Our Stories Ready to Travel Across Borders?” SVOD director & head Shilangi Mukherji and Originals director & head Nikhil Madhok, shared insights with journalist Ajita Shashidhar about what makes Indian narratives resonate globally.

    The stats speak for themselves: Indian content has consistently trended in the top 10 on Prime Video worldwide in 2024, with nearly 25 per cent of viewership coming from outside India. According to Madhok, the key is authenticity. “Original, rooted stories travel beyond Indian shores. While production quality matters, it’s authenticity that connects with global audiences,” he explained.

    Mukherji highlighted Prime Video’s localisation strategy, ensuring content reaches multi-lingual audiences in India and internationally. “Through subtitles, dubbing, and culturally relevant storytelling, we surprise and delight viewers everywhere,” she said. About 60 per cent of Indian users stream content in four or more languages, reflecting the platform’s pan-Indian appeal.

    Prime Video’s originals, from The Family Man and Mirzapur to Paatal Lok and Dupahiya, have become global favourites, with most franchises renewing for multiple seasons. Madhok emphasised the platform’s commitment to nurturing new talent alongside established creators, enabling first-time filmmakers to reach worldwide audiences.

    The platform’s growth in India is backed by innovation in access and pricing, including Prime Lite, mobile-first annual plans, and tiered subscriptions. Prime Video also combines theatrical releases with streaming, ensuring filmmakers can choose the best format for their stories. Starting 2026, three to four Indian films from Amazon MGM Studios will premiere in theatres annually.

    Mukherji concluded that global resonance requires intentional localisation and collaboration across the industry. Madhok added, “All it takes is one standout story to spark wider recognition. We’re seeing green shoots in all our Originals, and the future is bright for Indian storytelling.”