iWorld
Chingari collaborates with OMTV for Indian cultural content
Mumbai: Short-video sharing platform Chingari has partnered with OMTV, a newly launched OTT channel and the brainchild of Blackboard Films, to cater to the rising demand of niche audiences wanting to connect with Indian cultural programmes. The collaboration will give Chingari app users access to OMTV programmes across genres such as mythology, culture, food, and history.
For Chingari the collaboration is an opportunity to present itself as both Indian and original, helping it to further engage with its users’ shifting tastes. OMTV was launched with the aim of making Indian knowledge and philosophy available to people. The collaboration is seen as a natural progression for the two Indian apps, said the statement.
Calling this alliance “a refreshing change” for Chingari, OMTV, and the users, Chingari co-founder and COO Deepak Salvi said OMTV content perfectly matches their beliefs. “At Chingari, we are always creative in terms of our unusual offerings that resonate with our users. The Indian connection here revolves around India’s cultural heritage which resonates with our users who are modern yet want to connect to their roots.”
“Chingari’s reach amongst young users, in particular, is big, and the extension methods in promoting talent and entertainment makes it a popular option among users and collaborative brands,” added Chingari app co-founder & CEO Sumit Ghosh.
“OMTV is a humble attempt to showcase the diversity and deep-rooted philosophy present in the traditions of our nation. With ‘Gyaan Bhi, Garv Bhi’ as the platform’s philosophy, we intend to offer varied content, covering culture, history, knowledge systems, mythology, and heritage,” said OMTV founder and MD Nitin Jain Shukla. “This collaboration promises to be a distinct step towards making a positive impact by piquing on people’s curiosity to know more about Indian culture.”
iWorld
Prime Video to stream Tamil thriller Exam from May 15
Seven-episode series from National Award-winner A. Sarkunam streams in India and 240-plus countries
MUMBAI: Prime Video announced on April 27th that Exam, a taut seven-episode suspense drama set against the crucible of high-stakes competitive testing, will premiere on May 15th in India and across more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
Written and directed by A. Sarkunam, a National Award-winner, the series is produced under the Wallwatcher Films banner by the creative duo Pushkar and Gayatri, who have previously delivered Suzhal: The Vortex (both seasons) and Vadhandhi: The Fable of Velonie for the platform. Dushara Vijayan and Aditi Balan lead the cast, with Abbas in a pivotal role.
The show will stream in Tamil with dubbed versions in Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada, and subtitles in 15 languages, including English, a distribution sweep that underscores Prime Video’s push to globalise Indian regional content.
Nikhil Madhok, director and head of originals at Prime Video India, framed the series as both timely and commercially astute. “Exam is a very timely and relevant story that captures the emotional intensity of competitive exams and masterfully transforms it into a thrilling high-stakes drama,” he said. “We believe it is a story that will resonate deeply with millions.” Madhok noted that it was a privilege to once again collaborate with Pushkar and Gayatri following the success of Suzhal and Vadhandhi.
For Pushkar and Gayatri, the series is as much a moral reckoning as a thriller. “With Exam, we wanted to dig into ambition, injustice, and those moral crossroads that people face when pushed to the edge,” the creative producers said. “At the heart of this story is a young woman who refuses to remain powerless. Her journey is not about glamorising defiance, but about exploring the emotional and ethical cost of standing up to a system stacked against her.” They described Prime Video as “an incredible collaborator” and “the perfect home” to bring the series to global audiences.
Wallwatcher Films, which Pushkar and Gayatri founded and run, has been on a productive streak with the platform. Beyond Exam, the company is also readying Vadhandhi Season 2 for Prime Video, making the duo one of the platform’s most active regional creative partners.
The real exam, it seems, is for Prime Video itself: can a Tamil drama about systemic injustice and a young woman’s defiance crack audiences from Chennai to Chicago? If Pushkar and Gayatri’s track record is anything to go by, the answer is likely yes, and the results will be out on May 15th.
