iWorld
Disney+ Hotstar strengthens Telugu content offering with new titles
Mumbai: Disney+ Hotstar on Friday announced a strong lineup of Telugu entertainment as it welcomes viewers to Mana Vinoda Vishwam (Our Entertainment Universe). Telugu superstar Ram Charan, along with King Nagarjuna, Sharat Kumar, Naveen Chandra, Ishaan, Akanksha Singh, Krishna Vijay, Boyapati Srinu, Krish, Ajay, Anjali, Madhu Shalini, Hari Yelleti, Thiru (director of “Jhansi”) Prasad Devineni (Producer – Arka Media), Krishna Kulasekaran, Rajeev Reddy and many more talents united to unveil new and upcoming Telugu titles.
Disney+ Hotstar’s robust regional lineup includes the Jagapathi Babu, Sharat Kumar and Naveen Chandra-starrer first-ever original Telugu Hotstar Specials series “Parampara.” The series is backed by “Baahubali” producers Shobu Yarlagadda and Prasad Devineni of Arka Mediaworks Production and has been written by Hari Yelleti and directed by filmmaker Krishna Vijay L.
The platform will also stream the Telugu digital-exclusive season of the nation’s favourite reality show “Bigg Boss Live,” hosted by popular celebrity star Nagarjuna. “9 hours,” a thrilling bank robbery presented by directed by Krish starring Tarak Ratna and Ajay among others, “Jhansi,” starring Anjali in the lead role, an action-packed web series about an amnesiac woman and a doting mother who unravels her true identity and confronts her dark past making her a reluctant vigilante and “Shaitan,” a thriller written and directed by Maahi Raghav.
“We have always been at the forefront of revolutionising the way content is created and consumed in India – and are delighted to continue this journey to create an unparalleled Telugu entertainment experience for our viewers,” stated Disney+ Hotstar president and head Sunil Rayan. “Joining forces with some of the prolific minds in the industry, we are excited to offer fresh content in Telugu with path-breaking narratives through Parampara, 9 Hours and Jhansi as well as exciting formats through BiggBoss Live. With this foray, we endeavour to take one more step towards elevating the entertainment experience for viewers across India.”
The new Telugu lineup on Disney+ Hotstar follows the successful releases of titles in the recent past such as “Unheard,” “Maestro,” “Adbhutam,” “MaaOoriPolimera,” and “Annabelle Sethupathi,” bringing diverse and unique stories especially curated for Telugu entertainment lovers, shining a spotlight on locally relevant narratives and featuring some of the biggest stars of Tollywood in blockbuster films.
“Our foray in Telugu entertainment highlights an interesting time in the industry, showcasing incredible talent such as Jagapathi Babu, Sarath Kumar and many more playing never seen before roles and characters,” said Disney+ Hotstar and HSM Entertainment Network, Star & Disney India president and head – content Gaurav Banerjee. “We are delighted to step into the world of Telugu entertainment and look forward to bringing stories and performances that will resonate and strike a chord across viewers.”
Talking about the campaign, the face of the Disney+ Hotstar’s Telugu launch actor Ram Charan said, “The entertainment landscape in India is transforming drastically with digital presence. Telugu entertainment entering this landscape with Disney+ Hotstar is a great boost for all associated with the industry. The audience can look forward to seeing their favourite stars don new and intriguing characters that will leave them spell bound. The global audience too now gets an opportunity to watch highly engaging Telugu stories that had otherwise been limited to theatres and regional channels. The stars are now shining on Telugu entertainment, and I am happy to be the face of it.”
“Digital streaming platforms in the country are growing their footprint and it is interesting how the platform is leveraging the Tollywood industry’s large fan following to bring in original productions and creative narratives. The addition of Telugu dedicated series and films on Disney+ Hotstar, is a definitive step towards democratising entertainment for the global audience,” commented Telugu superstar Nagarjuna.
“When the best talents come together, it makes for a fascinating production on screen. Disney+ Hotstar bringing on board so many of Tollywood’s stars and fresh talent with its original films and series will start a new phase of Tollywood creativity,” remarked actor Jagapathi Babu.
iWorld
Prime Video bets big on India with global originals, films and franchise expansion
Execs highlight scale, travelability and new IP bets as India anchors global strategy
MUMBAI: At Prime Video Presents 2026, the message was clear and confident. India is not just part of the plan, it is central to it.
In a lively fireside chat hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar, Kelly Day, vice president of prime video and amazon mgm studios international, Nicole Clemens, vice president of international originals, and Gaurav Gandhi, vice president for Apac and Anz, laid out an ambitious roadmap. Think bigger stories, wider reach and a sharper focus on building franchises that travel.
Kelly Day, a regular visitor to India, set the tone early. Calling the country “one of the most important markets globally”, she pointed to the sheer scale and diversity of audiences as a driving force behind Prime Video’s growth. Indian Originals, she said, are not just local hits but global engines powering subscriptions and engagement.
That global appeal is already visible. According to Clemens, around 25 percent of viewership for Indian content now comes from outside the country. Shows rooted deeply in local culture are finding fans worldwide, proving that specificity, when paired with universal themes, travels well. From gritty dramas to sharp thrillers, Indian storytelling is increasingly crossing borders with ease.
Clemens, who joined recently to lead international originals, was particularly upbeat about India’s creative range. She highlighted a growing slate of over 100 shows in development and production, with more than 60 percent returning for multiple seasons. For her, the formula is simple. Authentic stories, told well, resonate everywhere.
Adding to the buzz, she teased new and returning titles, alongside a fresh superhero universe, the Kalyug Warriors. It signals a push into new genres while doubling down on familiar fan favourites.
If content is king, distribution is the clever courtier. Day outlined Prime Video’s layered business model in India, which blends subscription, rentals, add on channels and ad supported viewing through Amazon MX Player. The idea is straightforward. Give viewers choice, whether they want premium, free or pay per view.
India, she noted, has also become a testing ground for innovation. Tiered pricing, mobile only plans and language diversity have all been sharpened here before being exported to other markets. In many ways, the India playbook is now influencing global strategy.
For Gaurav Gandhi, the next chapter is about scale with intent. He outlined four priorities. Making Prime Video more accessible, pushing Indian content globally, building stronger franchises and supercharging the films business.
On films, the platform is moving beyond licensing into co productions and now theatrical releases in partnership with amazon mgm studios. These films will eventually stream on Prime Video, creating a full circle from cinema halls to living rooms across 240 countries.
Franchise building remains another key pillar. With hits like The Family Man, Mirzapur and Panchayat already enjoying multi season success, the focus is now on creating the next wave of enduring IP. Newer titles are already lining up for second seasons, signalling a steady pipeline.
What stood out through the conversation was a shared belief. Streaming in India is still in its early innings, and the runway is long. With a mix of local flavour and global ambition, Prime Video is betting that stories from India will not just stay at home, but travel far and wide.
Or as the executives seemed to suggest, the world is watching and India has plenty more to show.
