Documentary
Success screening of ‘Ram Janmabhoomi: Return of a Splendid Sun’ captivates with faith and history exploration
Mumbai: Highlighting India’s rich spiritual heritage, the widely acclaimed documentary ‘Ram Janmabhoomi: Return of a Splendid Sun’ success screening was hosted by VIP Industries Ltd chairman Dilip Piramal and bestselling author, former diplomat & TV documentary host Amish to celebrate its overwhelming reception since its release on 25 January 2024. The documentary resonated deeply with viewers, achieving trending status at #3 across all OTT platforms with 3.5 million views in just the first week. Produced by Dilip Piramal, Immortal Studios (founded by bestselling author, former diplomat, and TV documentary host Amish), and Casa Media, the documentary takes a comprehensive storytelling approach to exploring the entire history and profound cultural impact of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple.
The documentary features interviews with former deputy PM of India L K Advani, CM of UP Yogi Adityanath, former chief justice Bobde, spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, celebrated musicians Ustad Amjad Ali Khan & Malini Awasthi, esteemed archaeologists B R Mani & K K Muhammed, respected historian Meenakshi Jain, top journalist Madhu Trehan, among others.
The documentary has been directed by Nitish Sharma and Pranav Chaturvedi. The title music for the documentary was made by Grammy-award-winning Ricky Kej, and sung by legendary singers Sonu Nigam and Malini Awasthi.
The successful screening, attended by numerous influential personalities including Ricky Kej, Kabir Bedi, Ila Arun, Ravi Dubey, Amit Tandon, Ashwin Sanghi, amongst others further underscores its significance in the cultural landscape.
The documentary takes viewers on an in-depth exploration of Ram Janmabhoomi’s historical significance, Lord Ram’s life, and his enduring cultural influence in India. It delves into why this ‘homecoming’ of Lord Ram should be celebrated as a second Diwali, offering a unique perspective on this significant event in Indian history. Amish’s storytelling, combined with thought-provoking discussions with interviewees, vividly brings the story of the temple to life. This is the one documentary to see to understand the entire story of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, from the beginning to now.
Talking about the documentary’s success, Amish, the host of the documentary and one of the producers, shared: “My team and I are truly humbled by the overwhelming response to ‘Ram Janmabhoomi: Return of a Splendid Sun.’ This is a labour of love, to explain why the reconstruction of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple is a civilisational moment for us, and a uniting time for Indians of all faiths. This is a rare moment in history where a culture that is called ‘pagan’ and ‘idol-worshipping’ by some, has rebuilt its place of worship, after it had been destroyed by foreign invaders. The entire production team is honoured that we got an opportunity to put this story across in an audio-visual format.”
The collaboration between Amish and Dilip Piramal is a significant moment in Indian documentary filmmaking. Sharing his views, VIP Industries Ltd chairman Dilip Piramal said, “I am thrilled with the successful screening and the positive feedback we have received. ‘Ram Janmabhoomi: Return of a Splendid Sun’ is a passion project for me as this is my first venture as a producer, and I am committed to making it accessible to viewers across the globe. Supporting this insightful documentary aligns perfectly with our longstanding commitment to cultural initiatives. I believe this documentary has the power to educate, inspire, and unite people through its exploration of our shared heritage.”
The success screening was a resounding success, with the audience captivated by the documentary’s powerful storytelling, insightful commentary, and exceptional production quality. The film has already garnered significant popularity, trending on social media platforms and sparking meaningful conversations about Indian culture.
‘Ram Janmabhoomi: Return of a Splendid Sun’ is available for streaming on JioCinema. The documentary is available in English and Hindi, with Amish’s narration available in both languages.
Documentary
Netflix and Warner Music ink landmark documentary deal
The streaming giant has just unlocked one of the richest vaults in music history. Its rivals should be worried
CALIFORNIA AND NEW YORK: Netflix and Warner Music Group have signed an exclusive multi-year deal to produce documentary series and films drawn from the label’s storied artist roster, the companies announced on Friday — a move that hands the streaming platform access to one of the most formidable catalogues in music history.
Warner Music Group represents legends including David Bowie, Cher, Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin and Joni Mitchell, alongside contemporary superstars such as Charli XCX, Coldplay and Bruno Mars. That is a staggering breadth of material for a platform hungry for prestige content and subscriber growth to match.
Under the agreement, Warner Music will work with Unigram, the production company aligned with the label, which will serve as the studio for its long-form projects. Each title will be developed in collaboration with the artists themselves or their estates, ensuring the kind of intimate access that turns a documentary into an event.
The deal reflects an intensifying race between music-rights owners and streaming platforms eager to turn deep catalogues into premium visual content. Music documentaries have become a vehicle for fan-driven, culturally resonant programming — a trend underscored by Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” film, which grossed over $260 million globally and reminded every platform chief just how lucrative the genre can be.
Netflix already boasts formidable credentials in music storytelling, with “Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé” and “Quincy” among its highest-profile releases. The Warner deal sharpens that edge considerably. Rival platforms have not been idle: Disney+ has released “The Beach Boys”, while Max has drawn attention with “Stax: Soulsville U.S.A.” Apple Music, meanwhile, has pushed into original content through its Apple Music Live series, producing documentaries and livestreamed concerts featuring Harry Styles and Billie Eilish.
The battle for music’s visual soul, then, is well and truly on. Netflix has just made its boldest move yet.
