iWorld
Bodhi Tree partners author Amit Khan to create original OTT and TV projects
MUMBAI: Bodhi Tree Multimedia Ltd (BTML) has signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with celebrated Hindi novelist Amit Khan’s creative venture, Amit Khan Content Hub (AKCH), to jointly develop premium original content for television and OTT platforms.
The partnership combines BTML’s production scale, operational expertise, and financing capabilities with AKCH’s prolific storytelling and loyal reader base. Together, they aim to deliver narratives that balance mass appeal with creative depth.
A special purpose vehicle (SPV) will be formed, with BTML holding a majority stake. BTML will handle financing, operations, and strategic partnerships, while AKCH will lead creative development and production execution.
Author of over 100 Hindi pulp-fiction novels and founder of AKCH, including the iconic Commander Karan Saxena series (which was later adapted into a Jiocinema series of the same name), Amit Khan said, “I am thrilled to join hands with BTML, a company that has consistently delivered high-quality and impactful content. With our combined strengths, we are confident of creating stories that will resonate with viewers and leave a lasting mark on the Indian entertainment industry.”
BTML, managing director, Mautik Tolia, added, “This partnership is a confluence of creativity and capability. Amit Khan is one of India’s most celebrated novelists and storytellers, and we are excited to bring his distinctive vision to screens nationwide through BTML’s production infrastructure and industry relationships.”
BTML, listed on both NSE and BSE, has produced 100 plus shows and over 3,000 hours of content across languages including Hindi, Tamil, Marathi, Gujarati, and Bengali. With this collaboration, both BTML and AKCH aim to target domestic and international audiences with fresh, compelling narratives.
The first slate of projects is expected to combine rich storytelling with high production values, reinforcing both companies’ commitment to creating content that engages audiences across platforms.
Gaming
Sony raises PS5 prices for second time in under a year
US disc edition jumps $100 to $649.99 as memory costs surge.
MUMBAI: Sony just hit the pause button on affordable gaming because when memory prices skyrocket, even the Playstation has to pay the premium. Sony has announced its second price increase for the Playstation 5 range in less than a year, citing pressures in the global economic landscape and a sharp rise in memory component costs driven by AI demand.
In the US, the PS5 disc edition will rise from $549.99 to $649.99, a $100 hike while the digital edition increases to $599.99. The more powerful PS5 Pro will jump $150 to $899.99. The Playstation Portal remote player will also rise by $50 to $249.99. The new prices take effect on 2 April 2026.
Similar increases have been applied in the UK (£90 per model), Europe and Japan. Sony last raised PS5 prices in the US in August 2025.
“We know that price changes impact our community, and after careful evaluation, we found this was a necessary step to ensure we can continue delivering innovative, high-quality gaming experiences to players worldwide,” Sony said in a blog post.
The hikes come amid an unprecedented surge in memory prices, as manufacturers prioritise supply for AI data centres. Analysts say Sony had likely secured price protections for components that have now expired, forcing the company to protect its hardware margins.
Ampere Analysis research director of games Piers Harding-Rolls told CNBC that further increases from Microsoft and Nintendo would not be surprising, though Nintendo may hesitate to raise the price of its recently launched Switch 2 while establishing the new platform.
The increases arrive eight months before the highly anticipated release of GTA 6, which is expected to drive strong console sales. However, early reactions online have been a mix of disappointment and resignation, with growing concern that premium gaming is increasingly becoming a hobby for higher-income players.
In a sector already grappling with tariffs, inflation and component shortages, Sony’s move underscores a tough reality: even the most popular consoles are not immune to the rising cost of keeping up with the latest technology.
