iWorld
Disney+ Hotstar promotes its entertainment offering amid IPL fever
KOLKATA: As India prepares for the launch of its most celebrated cricket phenomenon, Vivo IPL, Disney+ Hotstar VIP has rolled out an exciting new campaign – Entertainment Ka All-Rounder. Conceptualised by DDBMudra Group, these new films feature popular actors Ajay Devgn and Tamannaah Bhatia; each in a recognisable disguise, as they try to convince people to watch their soon-to-release titles on Disney+ Hotstar VIP rather than just focusing on live cricket action.
Ajay Devgn stars as Sudarshan and Tamannaah Bhatia as Manickam, both are put in everyday office situations as they praise their work only to be informed of the platform’s expansive content offering. The quirky campaign signifies the fierce battle that will be fought between the biggest superstars – on & off the cricketing field as they try to win the viewers’ attention.
Disney+ Hotstar EVP & chief marketing officer Sidharth Shakdher said, “Disney+ Hotstar is the default digital platform for sports in India today, and this year, when India comes to us for Vivo IPL 2021, we will give them a no-holds-barred entertainment experience – cricketainment in its truest form. Based on the insight that cricketainment is tantamount to having the best of both worlds, we wanted this campaign to reinforce that we are the only OTT brand that offers Vivo IPL 2021 and LIVE sports, along with the latest movies and original shows. And to drive home this message in a fun, memorable and entertaining way, we are launching our campaign ‘Entertainment Ka All-Rounder’ which breaks through the clutter by using never-seen-before avatars of Ajay Devgan and Tamannaah Bhatia.”
Starting 9 April 2021, all live matches of Vivo IPL 2021 will be exclusively available to new and existing subscribers of Disney+ Hotstar VIP (Rs 399/- for 12 months) and Disney+ Hotstar Premium (Rs 1499/- for 12 months). Fans will be able to enjoy commentary in eight languages – English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bangla, Malayalam and an exclusive feed in Marathi.
As cricket fever takes over the country, Disney+ Hotstar VIP will soon be home to some of the most anticipated titles of the year including mega blockbuster films that will directly release on the platform (The Big Bull, Bhuj: The Pride of India), the best of global movies and shows (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) dubbed in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, upcoming exclusive Hotstar Specials shows in seven languages (Special Ops 1.5, Season 2 of Aarya) and much more; that promise a full year of quality entertainment. These ad-films have been rolled out in three languages – Hindi, Tamil and Telugu and are available on Disney+ Hotstar VIP’s digital platforms.
iWorld
Prime Video unveils biggest India originals slate yet
Nearly 55 titles across languages signal deeper push into films, series
MUMBAI: Prime Video is turning up the volume on Indian storytelling, unveiling its largest-ever Originals slate at the ‘Prime Video Presents’ showcase, with close to 55 series and films spanning languages, genres and formats.
The new lineup, which stretches across Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, signals a clear intent: go bigger, go wider, and meet audiences wherever they are watching, whether on streaming screens or in cinemas. Alongside Originals, the platform also announced a fresh theatrical slate under Amazon MGM Studios, marking a deeper step into the big-screen business.
Among the headline acts is The Revolutionaries, a large-scale drama from Nikkhil Advani starring Bhuvan Bam and Rohit Saraf. The slate also features Matka King with Vijay Varma, Raakh starring Ali Fazal and Sonali Bendre, and Lukkhe, which marks rapper King’s acting debut. Adding a genre twist is Vansh – The Kalyug Warriors, positioned as India’s first homegrown Hindi superhero series for streaming.
Familiar favourites are also making a return, with new seasons of Farzi, Panchayat, Call Me Bae, Dupahiya, Dahaad and The Traitors in the pipeline, reinforcing the platform’s bet on established franchises.
Regional storytelling gets a notable push. Highlights include a Telugu adaptation of The Traitors hosted by Teja Sajja, the drama Guvvala Cheruvu Ghat, and Tamil titles such as Exam and returning seasons of Vadhandhi and Inspector Rishi.
The slate also opens new creative partnerships. Hrithik Roshan’s HRX Films steps into streaming with Storm and Mess, while Alia Bhatt’s Eternal Sunshine Productions backs Don’t Be Shy. Production houses including Excel Entertainment, Tiger Baby Films and The Viral Fever further deepen the creative bench.
On the theatrical front, the platform is lining up five films, including Raftaar starring Rajkummar Rao and Keerthy Suresh, VIBE directed by Kunal Kemmu, Dilkashi with music by A. R. Rahman, Nayyi Navelli featuring Yami Gautam, and Kuku Ki Kundli starring Wamiqa Gabbi.
According to Prime Video India director and head of Svod business Shilangi Mukherji, India remains central to the platform’s global growth, ranking among its top markets for new subscribers. She noted that nearly two-thirds of users watch content in more than four languages, underlining a growing appetite for diverse storytelling.
Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok, said the new slate reflects a continued push towards bold, culturally rooted narratives with global appeal.
In short, Prime Video is not just adding titles, it is widening the lens. From small-town dramas to superhero sagas and cinema-ready spectacles, the message is simple: more stories, more voices, and far more ways to watch them.
