iWorld
The Spotlight is on creative rascals’ ‘Spiti Valley’ as nexGTv & Imtiaz Ali announce May winners
MUMBAI: In an announcement that has been eagerly awaited by content developers across the nation, nexGTv, India’s largest subscription-led video entertainment app, has revealed the names of the May winners of its SPOTLight initiative. The winners were selected by renowned director and master storyteller Imtiaz Ali from amongst the top 5 most viewed videos for the month of May.
Delhi-based production house Creative Rascals’ travelogue ‘Spiti Valley’ was selected as the winner by Imtiaz for its charming portrayal of the picturesque locale of Spiti. The runner-up position went to Ahammed Khabber’s ‘I4U’ and its powerful social message of eye donation. nexGTv will be supporting the creative endeavours of the winner and the runner-up with cash rewards of INR 1 lakh and INR 25000 respectively.
Speaking on the announcement, Abhesh Verma, COO, nexGTv, said, “As a talent discovery platform, SPOTLight has been garnering rave reviews from both content developers and viewers owing to its differentiated and user-relevant content. With Imtiaz on board judging the top entries, SPOTLight presents an opportunity of a lifetime for most creators looking to gain visibility and prove their credentials. We are very excited to have unearthed and supported so much budding talent through the initiative and are eagerly looking forward at greater participation from the country’s upcoming generation of imaginative story tellers.”
Founded and operated by Aman Jain and Shailesh Gandhi, Creative Rascals is a Delhi-based production house. The group has created content in different genres such as travelogues, food shows, ad films, corporate films and weddings, and has been involved with some top-notch clients such as Cox & Kings, Sapient, Modo and Iffco-Tokio. Ahammed Khabber, on the other hand, is a 27-year-old MBA graduate who is currently serving as an Assistant Director for popular Kerala-based TV channel Mazhavil Manorama. One of his earlier videos, ‘Passive Smoking’, was also selected as the runner-up on SPOTLight for the month of February.
Imtiaz Ali added, “From social messaging to commentaries on daily life, from fusion music to spooky horror stories, some of the SPOTLight entries have simply blown my mind away due to the freshness of their content and their innovative approach. Having seen the precocious creations on display, I am absolutely delighted to be associated with the project. I am expecting more people to participate in SPOTLight in the future and showcase their artistic flair in front of a nationwide audience.”
As a platform to upload and monetise their offering, SPOTLight has been gathering an extremely enthusiastic response from content creators across the country with videos being received right from Baramulla in Jammu & Kashmir to Kottayam in Kerala. With a Modern Master in Imtiaz at the helm, SPOTLight is an opportunity of a lifetime for individuals across the country to test their mettle. So don’t wait! Enter your creations on www.nexgtvspotlight.com today!
iWorld
Prime Video unveils biggest India originals slate yet
Nearly 55 titles across languages signal deeper push into films, series
MUMBAI: Prime Video is turning up the volume on Indian storytelling, unveiling its largest-ever Originals slate at the ‘Prime Video Presents’ showcase, with close to 55 series and films spanning languages, genres and formats.
The new lineup, which stretches across Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, signals a clear intent: go bigger, go wider, and meet audiences wherever they are watching, whether on streaming screens or in cinemas. Alongside Originals, the platform also announced a fresh theatrical slate under Amazon MGM Studios, marking a deeper step into the big-screen business.
Among the headline acts is The Revolutionaries, a large-scale drama from Nikkhil Advani starring Bhuvan Bam and Rohit Saraf. The slate also features Matka King with Vijay Varma, Raakh starring Ali Fazal and Sonali Bendre, and Lukkhe, which marks rapper King’s acting debut. Adding a genre twist is Vansh – The Kalyug Warriors, positioned as India’s first homegrown Hindi superhero series for streaming.
Familiar favourites are also making a return, with new seasons of Farzi, Panchayat, Call Me Bae, Dupahiya, Dahaad and The Traitors in the pipeline, reinforcing the platform’s bet on established franchises.
Regional storytelling gets a notable push. Highlights include a Telugu adaptation of The Traitors hosted by Teja Sajja, the drama Guvvala Cheruvu Ghat, and Tamil titles such as Exam and returning seasons of Vadhandhi and Inspector Rishi.
The slate also opens new creative partnerships. Hrithik Roshan’s HRX Films steps into streaming with Storm and Mess, while Alia Bhatt’s Eternal Sunshine Productions backs Don’t Be Shy. Production houses including Excel Entertainment, Tiger Baby Films and The Viral Fever further deepen the creative bench.
On the theatrical front, the platform is lining up five films, including Raftaar starring Rajkummar Rao and Keerthy Suresh, VIBE directed by Kunal Kemmu, Dilkashi with music by A. R. Rahman, Nayyi Navelli featuring Yami Gautam, and Kuku Ki Kundli starring Wamiqa Gabbi.
According to Prime Video India director and head of Svod business Shilangi Mukherji, India remains central to the platform’s global growth, ranking among its top markets for new subscribers. She noted that nearly two-thirds of users watch content in more than four languages, underlining a growing appetite for diverse storytelling.
Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok, said the new slate reflects a continued push towards bold, culturally rooted narratives with global appeal.
In short, Prime Video is not just adding titles, it is widening the lens. From small-town dramas to superhero sagas and cinema-ready spectacles, the message is simple: more stories, more voices, and far more ways to watch them.
