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Tag: The Family Man

  • 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.

  • Hoopr hits the right note with Rs 4.5 crore payouts to 1,500 plus Indian artists

    Hoopr hits the right note with Rs 4.5 crore payouts to 1,500 plus Indian artists

    MUMBAI: Hoopr, India’s first music licensing platform, has struck a major chord in the country’s creator economy, disbursing over Rs 4.5 crore to more than 1,500 artists across 20 genres over the past three years. The milestone marks an industry first in micro-sync licensing payouts, underscoring Hoopr’s mission to build a transparent and sustainable revenue stream for India’s independent music community.

    Unlike traditional music models where earnings are often dominated by established labels and chart-topping artists, Hoopr’s system ensures fair compensation for those who typically remain behind the scenes: music producers, composers, and background score creators. Each time a brand or content creator licenses a track through the platform, the artist earns directly, taking home 50–65 per cent of the revenue.

    The platform’s roster includes both seasoned and emerging names such as Nilesh Dahanukar (Special 26, Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior), Divya Limbasia (The Family Man), Aditya Kudalkar (Gathan), and Devashish Korani (Yeh Chahiye, Ruaa Ruaa).

    Hoopr currently powers over 30,000 creators, including Ashish Vidyarthi, chef Ranveer Brar, and Flying Beast and collaborates with more than 175 brands such as ITC, Himalaya, Myntra, Meesho, Marico and Ultratech.

    Highlighting the platform’s impact, emerging artist Trivarg Arandhara (Triv) from Assam earned more from a single micro-licensing deal on Hoopr than he would have from 4.8 lakh streams on Spotify or Youtube.

    Co-founder and CEO of Hoopr Gaurav Dagaonkar said, “This milestone goes beyond payouts, it signals a shift toward sustainable income for artists. Licensing is the future of creator monetisation, and Rs 4.5 crore is only the beginning. We aim to surpass Rs 100 crore in payouts by FY2028.”

    Co-founder and CRO Meghna Mittal added, “Transparency and trust have always been at the heart of Hoopr. Our tech-enabled backend ensures artists are paid promptly whenever their music is used. We’re building an inclusive ecosystem where every artist can thrive and where brands can easily access authentic, culturally resonant music.”

     

  • 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.”

  • OTTplay Awards 2025 takes centre stage with a star-studded celebration

    OTTplay Awards 2025 takes centre stage with a star-studded celebration

    MUMBAI: Mumbai’s entertainment scene sparkled brighter as the OTTplay Awards 2025 rolled out the red carpet at JW Marriott on 22 March, bringing together the finest in digital storytelling under its ‘One Nation, One OTT Award’ banner. The third edition of the only pan-India OTT awards was a grand spectacle, uniting stars and creators from across languages and regions to honour the best in streaming content.

    The night was a triumph of storytelling, with major accolades going to Panchayat, Paatal Lok, Girls Will Be Girls, Poacher, Freedom at Midnight, Black Warrant, and IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack.

    The acting honours saw Manoj Bajpayee (Despatch) and Anupam Kher (Vijay 69) take home Best Actor (Popular and Critics, respectively), while Kajol (Do Patti) and Parvathy Thiruvothu (Manorathangal) claimed Best Actress titles.

    The web series category delivered emotional highs, with Jyotika (Dabba Cartel) winning Best Supporting Actor (Female) and presenting the Critics’ Best Actress award to Nimisha Sajayan (Poacher) in an on-stage moment that radiated camaraderie.

    Other winners included Jaideep Ahlawat (Paatal Lok 2) and Raghav Juyal, bagging Best Actor (Male) in the Critics’ and Popular categories, respectively, while Aditi Rao Hydari earned recognition for her performance in Heeramandi.

    The evening also saw a blend of generations, with industry veterans Anupam Kher and Shekhar Suman cheering on Patralekha, who won Breakthrough Performance (Female) Series for IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, while her husband Rajkummar Rao led a standing ovation.

    Adding a touch of nostalgia, Kunal Kohli presented Kajol with her award, reigniting Fanaa memories for Bollywood buffs.

    The night was filled with iconic reunions, including The Family Man trio Manoj Bajpayee, Priya Mani, and Neeraj Madhav, sharing the stage for the first time since Season 1. They were joined by Jaideep Ahlawat, the antagonist of the upcoming season, making for a momentous OTT crossover.

    Regional representation shone bright, with Sriimurali and Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar receiving special felicitations, while Miheeka Daggubati accepted the Best Talk Show Host award on behalf of her husband, Rana Daggubati.

    Commenting on the significance of the event, OTTplay, CEO and co-founder Avinash Mudaliar said, “At the OTTplay Awards, we honour the creators who challenge convention, the performers who redefine excellence, and the stories that resonate across languages and regions. With our ‘One Nation, One OTT Award’ vision, the OTTplay Awards are designed to transcend linguistic, regional, and platform-specific boundaries—recognising the finest in web series, OTT films, and digital storytelling from every corner of India’s dynamic entertainment ecosystem. This is more than an awards ceremony for me; it is a celebration of a cultural shift—a tribute to a golden era of streaming that is not arriving but already here. OTTplay Awards – Where India’s stories find their spotlight.”

    As the curtains closed with Raghav Juyal’s signature slow-motion hook step, the OTTplay Awards 2025 stood as a powerful testament to India’s ever-evolving digital entertainment landscape, where creativity knows no borders.

    The event was co-presented by Real Juice and Kuhl, powered by StockGro, and held in association with HT City. With Zoom as the official broadcast partner, and Flipkart Spoyl, D Pauls, Amante, and Propshop among key sponsors, the evening was a seamless blend of entertainment and industry excellence.

  • Prime Video spotlights the importance of immersive entertainment in new campaign

    Prime Video spotlights the importance of immersive entertainment in new campaign

    Mumbai: Amazon Prime Video on Thursday unveiled its new brand campaign called ‘See Where It Takes You’ in India. The campaign showcases the role of Prime Video in customers’ lives and highlights how immersive entertainment inspires us all to pursue our life’s ambitions and goals. 

    In the five-year journey of Amazon Prime Video in India, it has become evident that great content not only entertains but also nurtures the potential to spark action to bring about a positive change in people’s lives. With the central thought of ‘See Where It Takes You,’ the new campaign highlights the endless possibilities that start with entertainment and attempts to foster a two-way conversation between storytellers and fans, communities and creators.

    Conceptualised by Amazon Prime Video and Ogilvy India, the 360-degree campaign will run across TV, print, digital and social channels. The films have been directed by Shashanka Chaturvedi, and produced by Good Morning Films.

    Showcasing two of Prime Video India’s most iconic shows “The Family Man” and “Four More Shots Please!”, the campaign features two films – the first of which was launched this week. The film takes a relatable setting in the life of a young couple and depicts how the popular Amazon Original show “The Family Man” not only delivers an immersive entertainment experience, but also inspires them to rekindle their romance. The narrative also weaves in the X-Ray feature that amplifies the engaging experience Prime Video offers.

    “Over the past five years, our customers have increasingly looked to us as a trusted friend – one they could rely on to entertain them withsome of the best shows and movies across genres and languages,” said Amazon Prime Video India director –SVOD business Sushant Sreeram.  

    “With users streaming on Prime Video from 99 per cent of India’s pin codes, we take this responsibility seriously, as a service that not only entertains but also inspires. We have constantly worked towards bringing communities and creators together in a manner that ignites fandom and fosters meaningful communication,” added Sreeram.

  • Netflix partners with Raj and DK for new series ‘Guns & Gulaabs’

    Netflix partners with Raj and DK for new series ‘Guns & Gulaabs’

    Mumbai: Netflix has partnered with Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK also known as Raj and DK for a new series titled “Guns & Gulaabs” under D2R Films productions.

    The series will be created, directed and produced by Raj and DK and written by Suman Kumar, Raj and DK, and Sumit Arora.

    The writer-director duo is the minds behind the hit series “The Family Man.” The new series will be the second collaboration between the pair and Netflix after their film “Cinema Bandi,” which was released on the OTT platform last year.

    “Netflix has always been a pioneering service offering constantly cutting-edge content,” said Raj and DK. “And we are super thrilled to associate with them on our latest venture! Last year, we had a great outing on Netflix with our indie gem, ‘Cinema Bandi.’ And now we look forward to a larger collaboration on our first Netflix series, ‘Guns & Gulaabs.’ We are especially thrilled to roll out this wicked genre mash with some of the finest cast and crew from our country.”

    “We are delighted to partner with the finest creators Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK for a series as distinct as their creative voice, ‘Guns and Gulaabs,’” said Netflix India series head Tanya Bami. “Bringing their unique storytelling style to Netflix, Raj and DK blend romance, crime and the inimitable humor that’s signature to the duo, into ‘Guns & Gulaabs’ which will captivate audiences in India and across the world.”

  • Prime Video to premiere ‘Chhorii’ on 25 November at IFFI

    Prime Video to premiere ‘Chhorii’ on 25 November at IFFI

    Mumbai: Amazon Prime Video has unveiled its lineup for the 52nd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) to be held in Goa from 20 November. This includes the world premiere of Amazon original film “Chhorii” on 25 November and multiple masterclasses and interactive panels with the country’s creative stalwarts.

    For the first time in its history, IFFI is inviting video streaming platforms to the festival.

    On 21 November, a masterclass session on ‘Creating Cult Icons’ will be led by the cast and crew of Amazon original series “The Family Man” including Raj and DK, Amazon Prime Video’s head India originals Aparna Purohit, Samantha Ruth, and Manoj Bajpayee (virtually).

    On 23 November, a masterclass session on ‘Creating Cinematic Success and Storytelling of Sardar Udham’ will be led by Shoojit Sircar and Ronnie Lahiri.

    Prime Video will also showcase Satyajit Ray’s evergreen films on the homepage of their website between 20-28 November to commemorate the filmmaker’s birth centenary. This will include 11 of his iconic films – “Abhijan,” “Aparajito,” “Ashani Sanket,” “Chiriakhana,” “Hirak Rajar Deshe,” “Pather Panchali,” “Seemabaddha,” “Sonar Kella,” “Shatranj Ke Khilari,” “Charulata,” and “Jalsaghar.” The platform will also stream “Satyajit Ray Through His Films,” a documentary presented by Soumitra Chatterjee.

    “We are honoured to be a part of IFFI, an event that celebrates the diversity and rich cinematic heritage of India, and brings the entertainment community, content creators and talent together,” said Amazon Prime Video India country head Gaurav Gandhi. “We will continue to contribute actively to the entertainment ecosystem of India by promoting local narratives that are deeply rooted in Indian culture while delivering an immersive entertainment experience to viewers.”

  • Prime Video rolls out Amazon original profile image feature in India

    Prime Video rolls out Amazon original profile image feature in India

    Mumbai: In continuation of its recently launched global feature, Amazon Prime Video customers in India will now be able to take on the persona of their favourite character from Amazon India originals as their profile avatar on the streaming service.  

    Available on all devices that support Prime Video, the images can easily be used by customers to update their profiles. From Munna Tripathi in “Mirzapur” to Srikant Tiwari in “The Family Man”, Siddhi Patel in “Four More Shots Please” and Haathiram Chaudhary in “Paatal Lok”, and many more – viewers have an array of characters to choose from for their profile avatars.

    “Born out of deeply local and authentic narratives, our originals have introduced customers to characters that have not only become a part of pop culture but have also made their way into everyday lives,” said Amazon Prime Video India director of marketing Sushant Sreeram. “The launch of these avatars is just another way for us to enable fans to engage deeper with the shows and characters they love.”

  • Rupeek unveils new TVC featuring Manoj Bajpayee and Priyamani

    Rupeek unveils new TVC featuring Manoj Bajpayee and Priyamani

    Mumbai: Fintech platform Rupeek has launched its first integrated brand campaign featuring “The Family Man” fame actors Manoj Bajpayee and Priyamani. Conceived by The Womb, the ad spot shows how the platform aims to solve the usual credit pain points with its hassle-free doorstep gold loan offering.

    The film depicts the actors walking into an establishment to apply for a gold loan where they run into several hurdles. Then they are introduced to Rupeek where they can schedule an appointment using the app, get their gold measured and avail credit- all at the convenience of their home.

    “With the majority of India’s population having no access to formal credit, there is a huge potential for asset-backed lending such as online gold loans,” said Rupeek SVP- marketing and digital Shalabh Atray. “I am happy and excited to have both Manoj and Priyamani on board for our campaign and convey Rupeek’s vision to the Indian households. We believe that it is the right time for the narrative of gold loans in India to evolve and align with aspirations of the evolving Indian.”

    “It is wonderful to see how young entrepreneurs and companies are addressing the issues that are deeply penetrated in our society,” said Manoj Bajpayee speaking on the brand association. “Through this film, we have tried to break the stigma associated with gold loans and convey a deeper message on the potential of gold loans to make people feel empowered during challenging times.”

    “Gold is the most celebrated asset in our country, yet people continue to undermine its potential, especially in tiding through financial exigencies. COVID-19 has been an eye-opener in many ways for the common man and with a trusted brand like Rupeek, I am certain people will start acknowledging the benefits of hassle-free and safe doorstep gold loans,” added Priyamani.

    Through its trusted relationship with lending partners, Rupeek claims to offer online gold loans to its customers with minimal documentation and low-interest rates.

  • Amazon Prime Video wins big at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2021

    Amazon Prime Video wins big at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2021

    Mumbai: Amazon Prime Video scoops a massive win at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2021 which has announced its winners for the year. IFFM is the largest of-its-kind festival in Australia celebrating the best of Indian cinema in all its forms. The festival showcases a wide range of Indian content and encapsulates the best of entertainment from the Indian sub-continent.

    Amazon Original titles like the crime drama series “Mirzapur Season 2” has won in the category for ‘best web series’, Suriya Sivakumar and Vidya Balan have bagged the honors for ‘best performances in leading roles’ for their stellar acts in “Soorarai Pottru” and “Sherni” respectively. 

    Post the successful second season, The Family Man ‘Srikant Tewari’ has aced his TASC yet again with Manoj Bajpayee winning the award for ‘best actor (male) in a web series’. Marking her digital debut with this espionage thriller, Samantha Akkineni won the award for ‘best actor (female) in a web series’. In addition to this, the Malayalam family drama, “The Great Indian Kitchen” has earned recognition in the category of ‘equality in cinema (feature)’.

    “The many wins at the prestigious Indian Film Festival of Melbourne are a reinforcement that our efforts to create and curate for our consumers are working,” said Amazon Prime Video spokesperson. “It’s also a recognition of the hard work of the team, the entire cast and crew of our titles. The last year wasn’t an easy year for any of us, at Prime Video we are happy to bring joy to the safety and comfort of consumers’ homes across the world.”

    An elated Vidya Balan remarked, “Sherni has been special for me not only for the character I got to play but because it delved into a space, lesser explored in cinema. It’s a relevant subject that needed to be told. This award is for my team. I am also thankful to the audience for all the love and this award is the icing on the cake.”  

    On Soorarai Pottru’s big win, lead actor and producer of the film, Suriya said, “This film has been made with a lot of heart and to finally witness it getting recognised on a global platform is heartwarming and incredibly special. It’s a huge honour for us as a team and I am thankful to Amazon Prime Video for making the film reach audiences globally and my fans for showering so much love.”

    Manoj Bajpayee said, “I will always be short of words to describe the adulation The Family Man has garnered the world over and this award just scales up the honour further. As an artist, I am inspired and motivated to do better with every role that comes my way hereon and stay true to my craft.”

    Samantha Akkineni shared, “The character of ‘Raji’ was one of the most layered and intense roles of my career that called for a lot of preparation and forced me to dig deep. I am thankful to Raj & DK for conceiving such a powerful female character and for being able to see me beyond the ‘cute girl’ image that many couldn’t look past. I am grateful to the jury at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne for this honour and I look forward to more of such groundbreaking roles as an actor.”