iWorld
Vietnam’s Duc Phuc hits the high note, wins Intervision 2025 in Moscow
MUMBAI: Talk about a chart-topping comeback, after three decades in silence, the ‘Intervision song contest’ returned with a bang in Moscow, crowning Vietnamese pop star Duc Phuc as its 2025 champion.
Held on 20 September at the packed Live Arena, the revived contest brought together 23 nations from BRICS, CIS, South America and West Asia. Phuc’s powerhouse performance of Phu Dong Thien Vuong wowed the 11,000-strong crowd, earning him 422 points, a clear 49 points ahead of the runner-up, along with a crystal trophy and a hefty 30 million Russian ruble prize.
India struck the right chord on debut. Kashmiri singer-producer Rauhan Malik delivered a stirring performance of his track Ishq, finishing a respectable 12th and earning plaudits for his soulful vocals. Beyond the stage, India’s presence was equally prominent: acclaimed Bollywood composer dr. Jaan Nissar Lone made history as the first Indian jury member, while actress-model Stefy Patel, draped in a traditional pink Kanjivaram saree, co-hosted the global spectacle with flair.
The organisational spotlight also fell on India, with Mumbai-based ARMS record label private limited / AR music studios serving as co-organiser, Newsx as media partner, and Roshan space brandcom handling outdoor promotions.
Backed by an international committee chaired by Russia’s deputy pm Dmitry Chernyshenko, the rebooted ‘Intervision’ carried the stamp of Russian president Vladimir Putin’s cultural vision. More than just a competition, it became a showcase of global unity and artistic exchange.
For India, this debut signals more than just a song, it marks a growing role on the international performing arts stage, with Malik summing it up best, “Intervision 2025 was an unforgettable experience. The love and warmth made it feel like music truly knows no borders.”
iWorld
Prime Video unveils biggest India originals slate yet
Nearly 55 titles across languages signal deeper push into films, series
MUMBAI: Prime Video is turning up the volume on Indian storytelling, unveiling its largest-ever Originals slate at the ‘Prime Video Presents’ showcase, with close to 55 series and films spanning languages, genres and formats.
The new lineup, which stretches across Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, signals a clear intent: go bigger, go wider, and meet audiences wherever they are watching, whether on streaming screens or in cinemas. Alongside Originals, the platform also announced a fresh theatrical slate under Amazon MGM Studios, marking a deeper step into the big-screen business.
Among the headline acts is The Revolutionaries, a large-scale drama from Nikkhil Advani starring Bhuvan Bam and Rohit Saraf. The slate also features Matka King with Vijay Varma, Raakh starring Ali Fazal and Sonali Bendre, and Lukkhe, which marks rapper King’s acting debut. Adding a genre twist is Vansh – The Kalyug Warriors, positioned as India’s first homegrown Hindi superhero series for streaming.
Familiar favourites are also making a return, with new seasons of Farzi, Panchayat, Call Me Bae, Dupahiya, Dahaad and The Traitors in the pipeline, reinforcing the platform’s bet on established franchises.
Regional storytelling gets a notable push. Highlights include a Telugu adaptation of The Traitors hosted by Teja Sajja, the drama Guvvala Cheruvu Ghat, and Tamil titles such as Exam and returning seasons of Vadhandhi and Inspector Rishi.
The slate also opens new creative partnerships. Hrithik Roshan’s HRX Films steps into streaming with Storm and Mess, while Alia Bhatt’s Eternal Sunshine Productions backs Don’t Be Shy. Production houses including Excel Entertainment, Tiger Baby Films and The Viral Fever further deepen the creative bench.
On the theatrical front, the platform is lining up five films, including Raftaar starring Rajkummar Rao and Keerthy Suresh, VIBE directed by Kunal Kemmu, Dilkashi with music by A. R. Rahman, Nayyi Navelli featuring Yami Gautam, and Kuku Ki Kundli starring Wamiqa Gabbi.
According to Prime Video India director and head of Svod business Shilangi Mukherji, India remains central to the platform’s global growth, ranking among its top markets for new subscribers. She noted that nearly two-thirds of users watch content in more than four languages, underlining a growing appetite for diverse storytelling.
Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok, said the new slate reflects a continued push towards bold, culturally rooted narratives with global appeal.
In short, Prime Video is not just adding titles, it is widening the lens. From small-town dramas to superhero sagas and cinema-ready spectacles, the message is simple: more stories, more voices, and far more ways to watch them.
