iWorld
Silly Monks appoints C Ratnakar Rao as non-executive chairman
MUMBAI: Hyderabad-based digital media entertainment company Silly Monks Entertainment Ltd has expanded its board of directors with the appointment of independent director and chairman C Ratnakar Rao.
C Ratnakar Rao, a graduate in economics (Delhi and Osmania Universities) and management education programme – (IIM-Ahmedabad), brings invaluable experience in the domestic and international markets in the areas of media and advertising spanning over 25 years, having worked with leading Indian and international advertising agency networks (RK Swamy/BBDO and DDB Worldwide) – India, middle east, north Africa and European markets.
He was a faculty at Institute of Management Technology (Ghaziabad’s Hyderabad campus) and has served as a member of the academic council in Osmania University’s department of communication and journalism. He also served as president of The Advertising Club of Hyderabad for four terms at different stages.
Silly Monks MD Sanjay Reddy said: “He is highly regarded in his respective fields and I look forward to deriving the maximum out of his vast experience to help Silly Monks catapult to the next level.”
“COVID-19 times have helped us learn a lot, with increased revenues during the adversities we look forward to a leaner and a smarter organisation while praying for an early cure for this pandemic.”
Ratnakar Rao added, “The future of media and entertainment is perhaps one of the most fascinating stories unfolding in the world today. I cannot be more excited than being part of an industry that is driven by passionate innovation and creativity. Silly Monks has been occupying a vital position in this space and I’m quite delighted by the opportunity to be associated with an energetic and promising organization like Silly Monks. It’s a great honour and I look forward to seeing the organization making remarkable progress as we take ambitious strides.”
Ratnakar has been associated with marketing communication activities of major international brands including Sony, Almarai Dairy, Clorox Corporation, Henkel Germany, General Motors Corporation and Landmark Retail Group. He was also associated with the advertising of many leading brands not limiting to Hyderabad Industries, Coromandel Fertilisers, Vizag Steel, Margadarsi Group, Continental Coffee, Furniture World Group, Birla Shakti Cement, Apollo Hospitals, Care Hospitals, Ratnadeep Retail and many more.
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.
