Documentary
DocuBay’s Fanatics makes history at Asian Television Awards
INDONESIA: DocuBay’s original documentary Fanatics has made history by becoming the first Indian film to win Best Documentary Programme (OTT) at the 30th Asian Television Awards 2025 in Indonesia. The win marks a milestone for the streaming platform, part of The Epic Company, which is known for bold, culturally rooted, and globally resonant storytelling.
Produced by Arpita Chatterjee under Studio 9 and directed by Aryan D Roy, Fanatics delves into the extreme devotion surrounding South Indian cinema. The documentary captures how actors are often treated like deities, and how fan loyalty, fuelled by emotion, pride and rivalry, can sometimes have real-life consequences. Through intimate personal stories and rare insights, the film presents an unfiltered look at the psychology of fandom in a region where cinema is nothing short of religion.
Featuring interviews with stars such as Allu Arjun and Kiccha Sudeep, the documentary also explores the role of social media in amplifying both solidarity and conflict among fans.
The category was highly competitive, featuring acclaimed international entries including Bitter Sweet Ballad (China), Polar Alarm (Taiwan), Life on the Millennia Old Grand Canal (China), Modern Masters: SS Rajamouli (India), and Echoes of Life (China). DocuBay distinguished itself with three nominations from its originals, Kargil 1999: The Untold Story of Indian Air Force, The Dupatta Killer, and Fanatics, cementing its place in impactful nonfiction storytelling.
The award was accepted at the ceremony in Indonesia by Samar Khan, chief content officer, DocuBay, and Adita Jain, VP – acquisition & syndication, The Epic Company. Fanatics’ win celebrates both the devotion of cinema fans and India’s rising influence in global documentary filmmaking.
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.
