iWorld
Were you writing off ALTBalaji’s Gandii Baat? Here’s why you should not!
MUMBAI: ALTBalaji, India’s leading homegrown OTT platform, once again proves that no one knows Indian audiences better. On the back of some highly engaging mass content, the OTT platform is once again making headlines for one of its most spoken about originals, Gandii Baat. The highly-watched web-series has earned a cult following amongst the masses for its depiction of stories revolving around the reality of social stigmas and mental taboos associated with sexual preferences inspired by incidents from the heartland of the country. Its 4th season, done in association with ZEE5, was launched in less than 2 years of its inaugural season and is testimony to its popularity and how largely the show is being consumed by the audiences across the globe. To be precise, the web-series attracted 22% views from global audiences whereas the show earned a place in the heart of the Indian audience with a staggering 78% of views coming from this respective demographic. Its controversial content has struck a chord with the ladies as well, with an unprecedented 24% of the viewership pie belonging to women, a number that grows by 10% with every season.
The web series is one of the ALTBalaji’s most-watched and appreciated series which has, in no time, created many milestones. Offering viewers content that is not only new but also engaging and intriguing novel, the show has witnessed a massive completion rate of 78% across seasons. Apart from talking openly about the issues which are brushed under the carpet often, Gandii Baat breaks another perception that the show is only consumed by people coming from a lower middle-class background. Viewers with high-end devices (Apple+ Connected devices) who watch Gandii Baat are 18.5% and this number has seen an 8% incremental growth each season.
While ALTBalaji caters to audiences across ages, viewership figures further reveal that Gandii Baat audience base comprises of 86% in the 18-35 years age bracket that strongly translates into audience that is young, savvy and has a higher wallet share.
Nachiket Pantvaidya, Group CEO, Balaji Telefilms and CEO, ALTBalaji said, “Exceeding expectations of the entire team as well as audiences around the world, the series has gone on earn such a massive fan following that today, if there is a name synonymous with erotic web content, it would have to be Gandii Baat. Pushing the envelope in every season, the core in each of our stories is leaving a lot of room for one's imagination. Enjoyed by audiences around the globe, both young and old, as we offer a new take with every season by depicting the myths and beliefs of rural India, we shall continue to do so and present content in a bolder avatar with a fresh take on situations.”
The franchise, Gandii Baat has been breaking stereotypes while highlighting certain facts and topics which no one bothers to address. The show looks at all such taboos pertaining to sexuality, desire, consent from a modern lens while bringing the flavour of rural India.
iWorld
Subedaar puts Indian original cinema on the global map with record-breaking Prime Video debut
MUMBAI: Prime Video has a runaway hit on its hands. Subedaar, the gritty action drama starring Anil Kapoor, has stormed to become the most-watched Indian original movie on the platform in its opening weekend, cracking the Top 10 across 31 countries and landing in 91 per cent of India’s pin codes within days of its March 5 premiere.
The film, a visceral, emotionally-charged story of a retired soldier, Subedaar Arjun Maurya, wrestling with civilian life amid crime and corruption, has struck a nerve. Directed by Suresh Triveni and co-starring Radhikka Madan, Mona Singh, Saurabh Shukla, Aditya Rawal, Faisal Malik, and Khushboo Sundar, the film is already being hailed as a showcase for what Indian original storytelling can achieve on the world stage.
“Subedaar’s success is a reflection of the growing scale and global resonance of Indian storytelling,” said Nikhil Madhok, director and head of originals at Prime Video India. “The film’s emotional narrative, its rooted portrayal of a soldier confronting his toughest battles beyond the battlefield, has struck a chord. Anil Kapoor delivers an acting masterclass, while Suresh Triveni’s solid direction and great performances from the ensemble cast have resulted in love and appreciation from customers across the world.”
Kapoor, 62, has been here before, but rarely at this altitude. Written by Triveni and Prajwal Chandrashekar, with dialogues by Triveni, Saurabh Dwivedi, and Chandrashekar, the film is a production by Opening Image Films in association with Anil Kapoor Film & Communication Network (AKFCN), produced by Vikram Malhotra, Kapoor, and Triveni.
Subedaar streams exclusively on Prime Video in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu across India, and in over 240 countries and territories worldwide.
For Prime Video, the numbers tell the real story: one weekend, one film, a global footprint, and a very loud signal that Indian original cinema is no longer just travelling well. It’s arriving.
