iWorld
Zee5 Manoranjan Festival returns a month of free blockbusters and fun
MUMBAI: Zee5 is bringing back the much-celebrated Zee5 Manoranjan Festival this March, offering a vast selection of films free of charge. Running from 1 to 30 March 2025, this special initiative aims to delight audiences across India and global markets with an exciting lineup of blockbuster hits, acclaimed dramas, action thrillers, and comedies all without any subscription fee.
This month-long festival marks Zee5’s most significant expansion in the ad-supported streaming space, reinforcing its commitment to making premium entertainment accessible to millions. The initiative enhances Zee5’s position as a pioneer in democratising digital content while strengthening its advertising-driven model.
The Manoranjan Festival will showcase an impressive range of films, including Raksha Bandhan, Haddi, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, Uunchai, Kadak Singh, and Khichdi 2 in Hindi, Vikram and Yanai in Tamil, Super Sharanya and Queen Elizabeth in Malayalam, Babe Bhangra Paunde Ne in Punjabi, and Ghost in Kannada, among others.
A Zee5 spokesperson expressed, “We strive to make high-quality entertainment more accessible to audiences everywhere. The Zee5 Manoranjan Festival reflects our mission to provide premium content at no cost, allowing viewers to enjoy a vibrant mix of films throughout March. This Holi, we invite families to celebrate with unlimited entertainment on Zee5.”
iWorld
Subedaar puts Indian original cinema on the global map with record-breaking Prime Video debut
MUMBAI: Prime Video has a runaway hit on its hands. Subedaar, the gritty action drama starring Anil Kapoor, has stormed to become the most-watched Indian original movie on the platform in its opening weekend, cracking the Top 10 across 31 countries and landing in 91 per cent of India’s pin codes within days of its March 5 premiere.
The film, a visceral, emotionally-charged story of a retired soldier, Subedaar Arjun Maurya, wrestling with civilian life amid crime and corruption, has struck a nerve. Directed by Suresh Triveni and co-starring Radhikka Madan, Mona Singh, Saurabh Shukla, Aditya Rawal, Faisal Malik, and Khushboo Sundar, the film is already being hailed as a showcase for what Indian original storytelling can achieve on the world stage.
“Subedaar’s success is a reflection of the growing scale and global resonance of Indian storytelling,” said Nikhil Madhok, director and head of originals at Prime Video India. “The film’s emotional narrative, its rooted portrayal of a soldier confronting his toughest battles beyond the battlefield, has struck a chord. Anil Kapoor delivers an acting masterclass, while Suresh Triveni’s solid direction and great performances from the ensemble cast have resulted in love and appreciation from customers across the world.”
Kapoor, 62, has been here before, but rarely at this altitude. Written by Triveni and Prajwal Chandrashekar, with dialogues by Triveni, Saurabh Dwivedi, and Chandrashekar, the film is a production by Opening Image Films in association with Anil Kapoor Film & Communication Network (AKFCN), produced by Vikram Malhotra, Kapoor, and Triveni.
Subedaar streams exclusively on Prime Video in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu across India, and in over 240 countries and territories worldwide.
For Prime Video, the numbers tell the real story: one weekend, one film, a global footprint, and a very loud signal that Indian original cinema is no longer just travelling well. It’s arriving.
