iWorld
OTT releases this week feature Shahid Kapoor romance and Rani Mukerji cop return
From thrilling sequels and mystery dramas to a BTS reunion documentary, fresh releases offer something for every screen mood.
MUMBAI: This week’s OTT slate is serving up a perfect popcorn mix because when Shahid Kapoor romances and Rani Mukerji returns with her badge, even couch potatoes start feeling the adrenaline. Prime Video is bringing Shahid Kapoor in the action-drama O Romeo, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj. The film, which also stars Tripti Dimri, Avinash Tiwary, Disha Patani, Farida Jalal, Tamannaah Bhatia and Nana Patekar, will be available for rent from 27 March before moving to subscription in the second week of April 2026.
JioHotstar is set to premiere the mystery thriller Muthu Alias Kaattaan on 27 March, headlined by Vijay Sethupathi. The series, also featuring Milind Soman, Sudev Nair and Muthukumar, will stream in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi and Bengali.
Netflix has a double treat on 27 March. First is the documentary BTS: The Return, directed by Bao Nguyen, which follows the global K-pop group – RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook – as they reunite in Los Angeles to create their fifth album Arirang. The same day sees Rani Mukerji back as ACP Shivani Shivaji Roy in Mardaani 3, directed by Abhiraj Minawala. The film explores a high-level child-trafficking syndicate and introduces Mallika Prasad as antagonist Amma and Janki Bodiwala as constable Fatima Anwar, with Indraneel Bhattacharya, Mikhail Yawalkar and Jisshu Sengupta in supporting roles.
Zee5 is releasing Projapati 2 on 27 March, reuniting Mithun Chakraborty and Dev. Directed by Avijit Sen, the story unfolds in a Bengali family’s restaurant and home during a festive period, focusing on Gour Chakrabarty’s wish to see his widowed son Joy remarry while balancing family and career. The film also stars Jyotirmoyee Kundu, Aparajita Auddy, Anumegha Kahali and Kharaj Mukherjee.
Finally, Netflix drops the psychological horror series Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen on 26 March. Created by Haley Z Boston, it stars Camila Morrone, Adam DiMarco, Sawyer Fraser and Mason McDonald, following a bride who senses something terrible will happen at her wedding.
Whether you are in the mood for romance, thrills, music or goosebumps, this week’s releases prove that sometimes the best entertainment is just a click away and the remote never had it so good.
Gaming
DPIIT partners with Krafton to boost tech-media startups
New MoU aims to accelerate innovation in gaming, esports and AI-driven entertainment.
MUMBAI: When government meets gaming, sparks are bound to fly and this time, the partnership promises to level up India’s startup scene in more ways than one. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Krafton India Pvt. Ltd. to support early-stage startups working at the intersection of technology and media. The agreement, formalised on Thursday, reflects a growing effort by policymakers to harness private-sector expertise for the country’s booming digital entertainment ecosystem.
Under the partnership, selected startups will gain access to mentorship, industry networks and structured opportunities to engage with established players. The initiative is designed to help young companies move from prototype to market-ready products, test concepts, secure market access and integrate into larger industry ecosystems.
Sanjiv, a joint secretary at DPIIT, described the collaboration as part of a broader strategy to strengthen India’s digital and creative economy. He emphasised that such alliances are essential for helping startups develop globally competitive solutions in emerging sectors such as online gaming, esports, interactive media and artificial intelligence.
The programme will feature innovation challenges under the government’s startup initiatives, along with hackathons, workshops and masterclasses covering game design, animation, immersive technologies and AI applications. Selected startups may also be considered for pilot projects with industry partners based on their performance.
In a sector where ideas move at the speed of a battle royale, this partnership could be the ultimate power-up giving promising startups the mentorship and exposure needed to turn creative sparks into sustainable success stories.
