iWorld
Centre steps up rules to protect children from unsafe OTT content
INDIA: The Centre has strengthened its rules to make online spaces safer for children, especially on OTT platforms. In the Rajya Sabha, minister of state for information and broadcasting and parliamentary affairs L Murugan, outlined new measures aimed at stopping children from seeing age-inappropriate content.
The government said that although free speech is protected under Article 19(1), the rapid spread of fake, harmful or misleading material online has made stricter regulation necessary. The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, set the standards that OTT platforms and digital news publishers must follow.
Under these rules, OTT platforms cannot host content that is banned by law and must label shows and films with one of five age categories. They also need to offer strong parental controls so that children are not exposed to unsuitable content. Digital news publishers must follow the programme code under the Cable Television Networks Act, 1995, and the Press Council of India’s norms to avoid publishing inaccurate or misleading information.
A three-level grievance system has been created to ensure compliance: publishers must regulate themselves; an industry body reviews complaints; and the Centre oversees cases that are not resolved. The government said this structure maintains accountability while respecting press freedom.
The Ministry of Electronics and IT manages another part of the rules, which require platforms such as YouTube and Facebook to prevent the spread of false or misleading information. The Press Information Bureau’s fact check unit, active since 2019, verifies news about the central government and shares accurate updates on its official channels.
The government can also block websites, posts or social-media accounts under Section 69A of the IT Act if national security, public order or sovereignty are at risk.
Alongside these measures, officials highlighted initiatives to support digital creators, such as the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (Waves) 2025, the Create in India Challenges, the Waves Bazaar marketplace for creators, and Waves OTT, a Prasar Bharati platform that helps promote and monetise regional content.
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.
