iWorld
Currently hits 1 lakh users as India goes all in on real-time social
MUMBAI: If social media has become a highlights reel, Currently is dragging India back into the moment. The country’s first real-time, activity-sharing social app has officially crossed 1,00,000 active users and 2,50,000 plus downloads, marking a breakout moment for a platform built on unfiltered, right-now connections. Cutting through the world of algorithms, filters and entertainment-led feeds, Currently shows users exactly what others are doing this second creating spontaneous interactions through camera-only, real-time moments that feel closer to life than any curated timeline.
Founder Mitesh Shethwala calls this proof of a shifting social appetite, “Crossing 1 lakh active users is not just a number, it’s proof that India is ready for a social app that actually makes people meet again. We are building India’s real-time people graph.” And the numbers underline that momentum. Currently logs 12,000 plus moments daily, with users sharing one moment every seven seconds, and 10,000 plus people visible live on the map every minute. Importantly, this surge wasn’t fuelled by paid pushes instead, the growth is powered by pure network effects, with “people inviting people” driving adoption across cities.
With its milestone user base in place, the app is now moving into an accelerated expansion phase, rolling out city-level launches in metros, Business Pages, QR check-ins, gamified features, creator rewards, and an AI-driven C-Rank visibility engine. Premium features and ad-backed monetisation are also on the roadmap as Currently positions itself as a new social layer built around immediacy rather than performance.
As India’s digital habits evolve, Currently seems to have tapped into a simple truth: the most compelling content isn’t polished, it’s present. And the country’s growing “now graph” might just be the start of a very real future for social media.
iWorld
Prime Video bets big on India with global originals, films and franchise expansion
Execs highlight scale, travelability and new IP bets as India anchors global strategy
MUMBAI: At Prime Video Presents 2026, the message was clear and confident. India is not just part of the plan, it is central to it.
In a lively fireside chat hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar, Kelly Day, vice president of prime video and amazon mgm studios international, Nicole Clemens, vice president of international originals, and Gaurav Gandhi, vice president for Apac and Anz, laid out an ambitious roadmap. Think bigger stories, wider reach and a sharper focus on building franchises that travel.
Kelly Day, a regular visitor to India, set the tone early. Calling the country “one of the most important markets globally”, she pointed to the sheer scale and diversity of audiences as a driving force behind Prime Video’s growth. Indian Originals, she said, are not just local hits but global engines powering subscriptions and engagement.
That global appeal is already visible. According to Clemens, around 25 percent of viewership for Indian content now comes from outside the country. Shows rooted deeply in local culture are finding fans worldwide, proving that specificity, when paired with universal themes, travels well. From gritty dramas to sharp thrillers, Indian storytelling is increasingly crossing borders with ease.
Clemens, who joined recently to lead international originals, was particularly upbeat about India’s creative range. She highlighted a growing slate of over 100 shows in development and production, with more than 60 percent returning for multiple seasons. For her, the formula is simple. Authentic stories, told well, resonate everywhere.
Adding to the buzz, she teased new and returning titles, alongside a fresh superhero universe, the Kalyug Warriors. It signals a push into new genres while doubling down on familiar fan favourites.
If content is king, distribution is the clever courtier. Day outlined Prime Video’s layered business model in India, which blends subscription, rentals, add on channels and ad supported viewing through Amazon MX Player. The idea is straightforward. Give viewers choice, whether they want premium, free or pay per view.
India, she noted, has also become a testing ground for innovation. Tiered pricing, mobile only plans and language diversity have all been sharpened here before being exported to other markets. In many ways, the India playbook is now influencing global strategy.
For Gaurav Gandhi, the next chapter is about scale with intent. He outlined four priorities. Making Prime Video more accessible, pushing Indian content globally, building stronger franchises and supercharging the films business.
On films, the platform is moving beyond licensing into co productions and now theatrical releases in partnership with amazon mgm studios. These films will eventually stream on Prime Video, creating a full circle from cinema halls to living rooms across 240 countries.
Franchise building remains another key pillar. With hits like The Family Man, Mirzapur and Panchayat already enjoying multi season success, the focus is now on creating the next wave of enduring IP. Newer titles are already lining up for second seasons, signalling a steady pipeline.
What stood out through the conversation was a shared belief. Streaming in India is still in its early innings, and the runway is long. With a mix of local flavour and global ambition, Prime Video is betting that stories from India will not just stay at home, but travel far and wide.
Or as the executives seemed to suggest, the world is watching and India has plenty more to show.
