iWorld
“We are journalists and storytellers; Our mandate is to uncover, showcase, and celebrate cinema:”
Mumbai: The visionary behind Film Companion, founder Anupama Chopra is back with a new venture: Film Companion Studios.
Film Companion Studios is a speciality division for long-form storytelling, to create, develop and produce documentaries on all things film and entertainment. Film Companion Studios tells stories of storytellers and artists responsible for making cinema an experience. Through various endeavours, including impact-driven programmes to fund emerging filmmakers, FC Studios aims to take Film Companion’s legacy of discerning and nurturing love for cinema ahead.
Indiantelevision’s Suman Baidh in conversation with Film Companion Studios founder Anupama Chopra
Edited excerpt
On the inspiration for the creation of Film Companion Studios
The creation of Film Companion Studios came from our desire to document Indian cinema – the artists, the movies, the high points, and the low points. We started with Modern Masters, a documentary on SS Rajamouli. And through making that we decided that we wanted to do long-form storytelling around Indian cinema and pop culture.
On the planning to maintain the essence of Film Companion’s original mission while expanding into the more niche space of documentary filmmaking
The essence of Film Companion was always to be the missing Companion. FC Studios will also fulfil that role by bridging the gap between movies and movie lovers. We want to create an archive of incredible stories from the world of movies.
On focusing on long-form storytelling the criteria used to select the subjects for your documentaries
We want to tell stories that are engaging, informative and always, entertaining. That is the criteria we use to select subjects.
As the lines between journalism and content creation continue to blur, On Film Companion and Film Companion Studios shaping the future of entertainment journalism
We are journalists and storytellers. Our mandate is to uncover, showcase, and celebrate cinema. I don’t really worry about being a content creator. I hope the work that we do helps to propel entertainment journalism in the right direction.
On anticipating the shift from Film Companion to Film Companion Studios, potential resonance with the existing audience and challenges in retaining their loyalty are considered.
I think we have to continue to do our work with passion and integrity. As Rancho said in 3 Idiots – chase excellence and success will follow. I hope the same is true for our audience.
On the recent release of Modern Masters
Modern Masters was originally conceived by my erstwhile colleagues Baradwaj Rangan and Avinash Prakash. We took the idea to Applause Entertainment. Sameer Nair was excited by it and partnered with us in making the documentary. It’s been a thrilling journey to create the documentary and have it release on Netflix.
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.
