iWorld
Biggest Indian storytellers keen to make their digital debut on Hotstar Specials
MUMBAI: Hotstar Specials, the new label launched by India’s biggest OTT player – Hotstar- will bring big, bold, authentic stories to crores of consumers across India, in 7 languages. What has attracted 15 of India’s diverse and impeccable storytellers to tie-up with Hotstar Specials for their big digital debut?
Speaking about why he chose Hotstar Specials, Shekhar Kapur said, “India is the new platform for global entertainment. I have passionately wanted to create content for India that can go global. Not just for 8000 cinema screens in India, but I wanted to reach out to India’s heartland, to every Indian home within Hotstar’s reach, and with their global ambitions, it is the perfect fit for me.”
Highlighting the reasons behind his association with Hotstar Specials, Kabir Khan said, “My venture on Hotstar specials is a documentary drama around one of the most loved teams in the country with crazy fan following. Hotstar is the leading brand in both entertainment and sports in this country and I believe that there is no other platform that complements the story as much as Hotstar Specials. The show will be available in 7 languages, directly connecting with viewers from across India, which makes the endeavour even more special.”
Neeraj Pandey also said, “This story has been in my head for a while, but I knew I wouldn't be able to do justice to it in a feature length. It’s a massively mounted narrative that merits the longer series format. A formidable cast and crew are coming together on this one. We look forward to bringing a unique viewing experience and Hotstar’s ability to magnify digital content makes it our preferred and obvious partner.”
On his connection with Hotstar Specials Venkat Prabhu said, “The scope of genres on Hotstar Specials will be too immense and allure all age groups. I have always had distinct perspective on content. It should be enjoyable and at the same time quirkily engrossing. Hotstar Specials has given me an exemplary spot to put that in action and reach across audiences in my very own language.”
Besides these big filmmakers, even Salman Khan and his Production House (SKF Films) are expected to make their debut on Hotstar Specials with a Sports Biopic.
Hotstar Specials will feature an extensive variety of Indian stories, mounted on a big scale, unconstrained by format. It will enable makers to showcase never seen before stories for a diverse audience set and every show will be available in seven languages i.e. Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam, for viewers to enjoy them in a language of their choice.
Hotstar Specials has released the teaser of their first big show starring the most popular cricketer in the country, M.S Dhoni. While speculations are rife about what this is all about, it sure looks like something that cannot be missed!
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.
