iWorld
Holy Soundwaves, Shaktimaan’s Back on Air with Pocket FM
MUMBAI: The power of truth, the sound of justice and a voice that can still stop villains in their tracks. India’s original superhero, Shaktimaan, has returned not on TV, but through the airwaves with Pocket FM’s 40-episode audio series Shaktimaan Returns, streaming free for all listeners.
It’s not just a reboot; it’s a revival wrapped in sound, heart, and nostalgia. Backed by Mukesh Khanna, the original creator and face of Shaktimaan, the series reimagines the iconic hero for the streaming age complete with cinematic sound design, a 10-hour-long immersive experience, and a storyline that’s as timely as it is timeless.
This time, Shaktimaan isn’t just fighting the usual rogues’ gallery. His newest nemesis is mankind’s oldest foe greed. In this environmental thriller, the superhero takes on Mahatatva, a corrupted guardian of balance who wants to restore harmony to Earth by extreme means. To save humanity, Shaktimaan must find five mystical Manis of Elements each holding the power of nature itself and rediscover that real strength comes from compassion, not chaos.
Pocket FM’s production is a masterclass in nostalgia with a purpose. Familiar names Gangadhar Shastri, Gita Vishwas, Mahatma, and TRP Baba return to the soundscape, breathing life into one of India’s largest audio superhero productions to date. With its blend of adrenaline, moral lessons, and a cinematic soundscape, Shaktimaan Returns is both a tribute and an evolution.
“For many of us, Shaktimaan was the first hero we truly believed in,” said Pocket FM CEO and co-founder Rohan Nayak. “This isn’t just a 90s reboot, it’s a reawakening of Indian heroism told through modern storytelling. The world has long looked to the West for superheroes, but India’s legends are rooted in values and imagination. Shaktimaan’s comeback is proof that Indian icons can evolve and still inspire.”
For Mukesh Khanna, the man who first wore the maroon cape, the project feels like coming home only this time, to a new medium. “Shaktimaan was created to inspire truth, selflessness, and courage in young minds,” Khanna said. “Pocket FM has reimagined it beautifully. They’ve preserved the essence while giving it a new voice. It’s heartening to know Shaktimaan still lives in a form today’s generation can connect with.”
But Pocket FM didn’t stop at nostalgia, they added a cheeky wink. To celebrate the launch, the platform dropped a viral brand film titled “Distressed Villains”, starring Bollywood’s most iconic 90s baddies Gulshan Grover, Ranjeet, Shehzad Khan, Shahbaz Khan, and Surendra Pal (yes, Tamraj Kilvish himself). The clip shows the villains in panic mode as they learn of Shaktimaan’s return, reviving the classic one-liners from “Andheraa…” to “By God!” in a laugh-out-loud reunion of Indian pop culture.
“We wanted to celebrate Shaktimaan’s return in a way that’s fun and full of nostalgia,” said Pocket FM SVP and head of brand marketing Vineet Singh. “Who better to react than the very villains who made our childhoods so entertaining? It’s not just a campaign; it’s a time machine for every 90s kid.”
As Shaktimaan Returns takes flight on Pocket FM, it marks a new milestone for Indian storytelling where superheroes no longer just leap across screens but echo through speakers, powered by imagination and audio innovation.
Because whether it’s 1998 or 2025, when darkness rises, the light and the legend of Shaktimaan always returns.
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.
