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Tag: Raj & DK

  • 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.

  • Citadel: Honey Bunny was Prime Video’s most watched series globally this weekend

    Citadel: Honey Bunny was Prime Video’s most watched series globally this weekend

    Mumbai— Prime Video revealed that the Indian Original spy series Citadel: Honey Bunny, born from the world of Citadel, was the most watched series on Prime Video worldwide in its launch weekend. sThe Indian series directed by Raj & DK (Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK) and starring Varun Dhawan and Samantha, has drawn in huge global audiences, streamed in 200 countries worldwide. The series was in the top 10 in almost 150 countries, including US, UK, France, Italy, Australia, Canada, Brazil, and UAE, proving the trend that consumers are continuing to enjoy non-English language content.

    “The success of Citadel: Honey Bunny shows that our non-English language International Originals continue to find fans globally through Prime Video’s huge worldwide audience,” said Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios VP International Originals James Farrell.

    “Citadel: Honey Bunny’s success is another example of Indian content increasingly being appreciated by audiences worldwide,” said Prime Video India Head of Originals Nikhil Madhok. “It shows that local narratives can have universal appeal and engage customers across borders. The series has received an extremely positive response in India and we are thrilled that this action spy thriller is also the most watched series on Prime Video worldwide in its launch weekend.”

    “It has been a very enriching experience on a challenging project that gave us the unique opportunity to collaborate with some of the biggest names in global entertainment and build on a larger connected world of spies which goes beyond the conventional storytelling formats,” said Raj & DK. “We have enjoyed weaving in easter eggs and nostalgic throwbacks to 90s’ cinema into the world of Honey Bunny. And we are thrilled at the amazing response both from our home turf and from around the world!”

    “We continue to be immensely proud of our global partners on Citadel and the success of each installment in the series. DK and Raj’s Citadel: Honey Bunny is a truly fun, propulsive and subversive spy show. Writer Sita Menon has crafted outstanding scripts that our talented leads, Samantha and Varun Dhawan, bring to life through shining performances, said AGBO executive producer and chief creative officer Angela Russo-Otstot. “AGBO is honored to collaborate with such exceptional creatives, alongside Amazon and David Weil, in bringing this distinctive global series to audiences worldwide.”

    Citadel: Honey Bunny is directed by Raj & DK (Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK) and written by Sita R. Menon, along with Raj & DK. The series is produced by D2R Films, Amazon MGM Studios, and executive produced by the Russo Brothers’ AGBO. Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Angela Russo-Otstot, and Scott Nemes from AGBO, alongside David Weil (Hunters), executive produce Citadel: Honey Bunny and all series within the world of Citadel. Midnight Radio is also an executive producer.

    The first season of Citadel, starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas alongside Stanley Tucci and Lesley Manville, premiered to global success in 2023, becoming Prime Video’s second most-watched new original series outside the US, and fourth most-watched worldwide, after 24 days. Executive produced by the Russo Brothers’ AGBO, Citadel and its subsequent action-espionage Original Series traverse the globe, evolving the story of spy agency Citadel and its powerful enemy syndicate, Manticore. Each series born from the world of Citadel stars top local talent and is created, produced and filmed in the region—bringing about stylistically unique shows with strong cultural identities rooted in their respective country of origin. The Italian Original, Citadel: Diana, which launched on 10 October, was the second series to debut from the world of Citadel and is followed by India’s series, Citadel: Honey Bunny, which launched on 7 November. Since the launch of both series, customers continue to watch season one of Citadel, drawing in more audiences globally. Season Two of Citadel, starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas alongside Stanley Tucci and Lesley Manville, is in production, with Joe Russo serving as director.

    Citadel: Honey Bunny joins Prime Video’s slate of International Originals debuting to record-breaking global success, including recent international hits; My Fault (‘Culpa Mía’), Maxton Hall – The World Between Us, and Like A Dragon: Yakuza, as well as upcoming launches, including Your Fault (‘Culpa Tuya’), The Sticky, and Look Back. The Indian Original series adds to Prime Video’s breadth of Indian-produced hits, such as Mirzapur, Farzi, The Family Man, and upcoming season two of Paatal Lok, season four of Panchayat and Matka King. As well as global Amazon MGM Studios-produced series and movies, such as The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Fallout, The Summer I Turned Pretty, Road House, Saltburn, and The Idea of You. This is all available with a Prime membership. Prime subscribers can enjoy savings, convenience and entertainment, all in a single membership.

  • IMDb unveils 2023’s top Indian films and web series

    IMDb unveils 2023’s top Indian films and web series

    Mumbai: IMDb (www.imdb.com), the world’s most popular and authoritative source for information on movies, TV shows, and celebrities, announced the 10 Indian movies released theatrically, the 10 movies that premiered on streaming services, and the 10 web series that were the most popular with IMDb users worldwide in 2023. IMDb year-end lists are based on the actual page views of the more than 200 million monthly visitors to IMDb worldwide, who rely on IMDb to discover and decide what to watch.

    Atlee, director of Jawan, the number one ranking theatrical release of 2023, said, “Jawan is a captivating, emotional, action-entertainer that intricately portrays the profound emotional odyssey of a man who is determined to rectify societal injustices. This film holds a significant place in our hearts. Its reception and love from the audience worldwide is overwhelming. Throughout my formative years, my knowledge and appreciation of world cinema has been greatly enriched by IMDb. Being honored by IMDb is truly a dream come true for me. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Shah Rukh Khan sir, Red Chillies Entertainment, my wife, my team, and the esteemed audience for their invaluable contributions in making this achievement possible. My heartfelt appreciation goes out to each and every one of you.”

    Karan Johar, director of  Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, the number three ranking theatrical release of the year, shared, “The team and I are overwhelmed with the love and warmth we have received for Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. To be on the top 10 list of IMDb is a massive validation of the film’s reception. I am grateful and even more energized as a filmmaker.”

    “How absolutely thrilling to see both the series we released this year being loved so much,” said Farzi and Guns & Gulaabs (ranked the number one and number two web series of 2023) directors Raj & DK. “Both are such distinctly different worlds that we created for Prime Video and for Netflix. It’s quite something to have a win for both popular streaming services. Thank you, IMDb, for being consistently there for all the film lovers.”

    IMDb Top 10 Most Popular Indian Movies of 2023 (Theatrical)

    1    Jawan

    2    Pathaan

    3    Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani

    4    Leo

    5    OMG 2

    6    Jailer

    7    Gadar 2

    9    The Kerala Story

    9    Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar

    10    Bholaa

    *Of all the movies first released theatrically in India between January 1 and November 6, 2023, that have an average IMDb user rating of 5 or higher, these 10 titles were consistently the most popular with IMDb users, as determined by the actual page views of the more than 200 million monthly visitors to IMDb worldwide.

    IMDb top 10 most popular Indian movies of 2023 (streaming)

    1    Lust Stories 2

    2    Jaane Jaan

    3    Mission Majnu

    4    Bawaal

    5    Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga

    6    Bloody Daddy

    7    Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai

    8    Gaslight

    9    Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery

    10    Mrs Undercover

    *Of all the movies first released direct-to-streaming in India between January 1 and November 6, 2023, that have an average IMDb user rating of 5 or higher, these 10 titles were consistently the most popular with IMDb users, as determined by the actual page views of the more than 200 million monthly visitors to IMDb worldwide.

    IMDb top 10 most popular Indian web series of 2023

    1    Farzi

    2    Guns & Gulaabs

    3    The Night Manager

    4    Kohrra

    5    Asur 2

    6    Rana Naidu

    7    Dahaad

    8    Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo

    9    Scoop

    10    Jubilee

    *Of all the web series released in India between January 1 and November 6, 2023, that have an average IMDb user rating of 5 or higher, these 10 titles were consistently the most popular with IMDb users, as determined by the actual page views of the more than 200 million monthly visitors to IMDb worldwide.

    Additional information about this year’s lists:

    ●    Shah Rukh Khan returned to the big screen as a leading man after a four-year hiatus with Jawan and Pathaan, which are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 on the Most Popular Indian Movies of 2023 (Theatrical) list. Khan also holds the top spot on the IMDb Most Popular Indian Stars of 2023 list. In 2023, he ranked No. 1 seven times on the weekly IMDb Popular Indian Celebrities feature, available exclusively on the IMDb app.

    ●    Action is the most popular genre on the 10 Most Popular Indian Movies of 2023 (Theatrical) list, capturing six of the 10 spots, followed by two romances and two dramas.

    ●    On the Most Popular Indian Web Series list, crime is the most popular genre, with nine series from this genre charting on this top 10 list.

    ●    The Most Popular Indian Movies of 2023 (Streaming) list has representation from five subscription-based services, with five titles from Netflix, two from Zee5, and one each from Prime Video, JioCinema, and Disney+ Hotstar. The Most Popular Indian Web Series of 2023 list, on the other hand, has four titles from Netflix, three from Prime Video, two from Disney+ Hotstar, and one from JioCinema.

    ●    All of the stars who charted on the recently announced IMDb Top 10 Most Popular Indian Stars of 2023 list also have at least one of the titles they appeared in ranking on IMDb’s year-end top titles lists. View the full list here.

    ●    Bhuvan Arora and Angira Dhar, who were recipients of the IMDb “Breakout Star” STARmeter Award in 2023, appear in titles on the Most Popular Indian Web Series of 2023 list, with Farzi at No. 1 and Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo at No. 8.

    To learn more about the IMDb most popular Indian movies of 2023 (theatrical), watch this video and view the full list here.

    To learn more about the IMDb Most Popular Indian Movies of 2023 (streaming), watch this video and view the full list here.

    To learn more about the IMDb Most Popular Indian Web Series of 2023, watch this video and view the full list here. 

    IMDb customers can add any title to their IMDb Watchlist at https://www.imdb.com/watchlist. To help fans keep track of what they want to watch, the IMDb Watchlist feature enables customers to easily create a personalized list of the movies and web series they want to watch. Fans can add this year’s top Indian titles, as well as millions of other popular movies and web series, to their personal Watchlist. They can also sort their Watchlist by IMDb rating, popularity, and more. IMDb also offers Preferred Services, a feature that helps customers identify which movies and web series may be available for viewing at no additional cost, based on the streaming services they subscribe to.

  • The Family Man all set for second innings on Amazon Prime Video

    The Family Man all set for second innings on Amazon Prime Video

    NEW DELHI: Amazon Prime Video’s acclaimed series The Family Man season 2 is all set to premiere on 12 February, the showrunners announced in a brief clip. Starring Manoj Bajpai, Samantha Akkineni and others, the new season promises to offer up another gripping mystery for the audience’s viewing pleasure.

    The Family Man season one released in September 2019 and was a runaway hit. The show was applauded for its direction, performances and writing. It is an edgy, action-drama series, which tells the story of a middle-class man, Srikant Tiwari, who works for a special cell of the National Investigation Agency. The series explores Srikant's tight-rope walk as he juggles his secretive, low paying, high-pressure, high-stakes job, and being a husband and father. This is as much a satirical take on the geopolitics of the region as it is the story of a middle-class guy who is a world-class spy.

    This time Srikant, while struggling to balance his personal and professional life, will be pitted against a new nemesis, Raji played by Samantha Akkineni. Replete with twists and turns, the upcoming season will see Srikant embarking on a new mission as ‘This Time, No One is Safe’.

    Amazon Prime Video head of India Originals Aparna Purohit said, “The Family Man had set a new benchmark in the spy thriller genre in India. Appreciated by fans and critics alike for its compelling storyline and phenomenal performances, the show became a part of our popular culture. The fact that the fans had successfully managed to decode the show’s launch date by reading ‘2021’ as ‘1202’ in reverse when we recently unveiled the teaser poster is a testament to the show’s unparalleled fandom.”

    Raj and DK said, “We are thrilled and excited to return to the world of The Family Man. The response to the first season was overwhelming and it struck a real chord with the viewers. And we are hopeful that we can continue to tell a story which is as compelling and engaging as the first season. The one question we were asked for the last 16 months is – when is season 2 coming. Our team has worked from home through the pandemic and amidst all the constraints to complete the season. We wish to thank everyone involved in our show. And our fans can be sure that we have plenty of surprises in store for the new season of The Family Man.”

    The other members of the cast include Priyamani, Sharib Hashmi, Seema Biswas, Darshan Kumar, Sharad Kelkar, Sunny Hinduja, Shreya Dhanwantary, Shahab Ali, Vedant Sinha, and Mahek Thakur.

    Produced by D2R Films, the much-awaited show will launch exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in over 240 countries and territories.