iWorld
Whistling Woods International to stream short films made by its students on Disney+ Hotstar
MUMBAI: Whistling Woods International (WWI), film, communication, and creative arts institute, announced its collaboration with Disney+ Hotstar. With this association, viewers of Disney+ Hotstar can now stream entertaining and thought-provoking short films created by the students of WWI. Over the coming weeks, selected films will be uploaded on the platform on a regular basis and will be available to viewers under the ‘short films’ section. Newly uploaded films can also be found in the ‘what's new’ section.
Through a unique teaching methodology, which combines academic rigour with practical experience, the students of WWI receive an unrivalled education in film, communication, and creative arts. This experience has seen the institute’s students and alumni contribute immensely to India’s media and entertainment domain, and led to the creation of several highly-acclaimed, award-winning films, many of which have been chosen to be featured on the platform.
Covering a wide range of genres and topics, the short films to appear include Alaksha, a fast-paced drama set against the backdrop of the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai and winner of The Perfect 10 award at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, 2018; Hoop Diaries, a 2014 sports drama centred around the story of a girl overcoming a deeply personal trauma; Manorath, inspired by Rabindranath Tagore’s short story ‘The Postmaster’ and winner of the Best Screenplay award at the Pune International Film Festival, 2015, among others.
WWI president Meghna Ghai Puri said, “Whistling Woods International is extremely proud to announce its association with Disney+ Hotstar. Through this venture, viewers across India can choose inspiring and thought-provoking films created by our talented students. By providing a platform to these aspiring filmmakers, to be able to showcase their work, we hope to inspire future generations of artists to pursue their dreams, and follow the institute's motto of Do What You Love.”
Other films which have already been featured on Disney+ Hostar include Film City, Kanchey, Aalav and 500 Rupay, which has received seven awards, 6.5 million YouTube views and a nomination in Filmfare.
Follow Tellychakkar for the consumer facing news & entertainment
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.
