iWorld
Hrithik Roshan brews a storm with Prime Video
MUMBAI: Hindi cinema’s Greek God is ready to stir up a storm, quite literally. Hrithik Roshan has joined hands with Prime Video for his first-ever streaming venture, producing a gripping new thriller series titled Storm (working title) under his banner HRX Films, a division of Filmkraft Productions.
Created and directed by Ajitpal Singh, the series promises an intense cocktail of ambition, secrets, and survival set in the beating heart of Mumbai. With Parvathy Thiruvothu, Alaya F, Srishti Shrivastava, Rrama Sharma, and Saba Azad leading the cast, production is set to roll soon.
Speaking about the collaboration, Prime Video vice president APAC & MENA Gaurav Gandhi said, “Hrithik is one of Indian cinema’s most distinguished creative forces. This partnership marks an exciting milestone for us, bringing together his artistic vision and our global storytelling platform.”
HRX Films founder Hrithik Roshan said, “Storm presented the perfect opportunity to make my debut as a producer in the streaming space. The world Ajitpal has created is raw, layered, and powerful. It’s a story that will resonate with audiences not just in India but around the world.”
Storm marks a dynamic new phase for HRX Films, led by Hrithik and Eshaan Roshan, and signals Prime Video’s continued investment in bold, homegrown narratives with international appeal.
With its layered characters, powerhouse female leads, and an undercurrent of suspense, this is one storm viewers will want to get caught in.
iWorld
Warner Chappell Music launches India ops, Jay Mehta to lead unit
WMG shifts to direct model, unifying publishing and recorded music
MUMBAI: Warner Chappell Music has officially launched direct operations in India, marking a strategic shift by parent Warner Music Group to deepen its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing music markets.
The move replaces the company’s earlier sub-publishing model with a full-fledged, on-ground operation, aimed at giving Indian songwriters stronger access to global networks, rights management tools, and creative infrastructure.
To lead the push, Jay Mehta has been handed an expanded mandate. Already serving as managing director of Warner Music India, Mehta will now oversee both recorded music and publishing across India and neighbouring South Asian markets, effectively bringing the two sides of the business under one roof.
The unified structure is designed to streamline how artists and songwriters work with the company, offering a more integrated ecosystem that spans compositions, recordings, and global distribution.
Warner Music Group managing director, recorded music and publishing, India and SAARC Jay Mehta said, “India’s songwriters are world-class, constantly redefining genres and pushing creative boundaries. By establishing a direct footprint for Warner Chappell, we’re bridging the gap between local brilliance and global opportunity.”
The timing is no coincidence. According to CISAC, creator collections in India jumped 42 per cent year-on-year to Rs 7 billion in 2024, while IFPI ranks India as the 15th largest recorded music market globally. At the same time, the industry is undergoing a structural shift, with independent and non-film music gaining ground over traditional Bollywood soundtracks.
Warner’s bet is that a direct presence will help it capture this changing dynamic. The company is also offering India-based creators access to its proprietary tools, including AI-powered royalty matching systems and real-time analytics platforms, aimed at improving transparency and earnings visibility.
Warner Chappell Music co-chair and CEO Guy Moot said the move is about shaping a publishing ecosystem that “works for creators and ensures their music is heard, protected, and rewarded everywhere.”
Meanwhile, Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl underlined India’s importance to the company’s global strategy, noting that the new structure creates a “unified powerhouse” for both creators and audiences.
With local studios, global reach, and tighter integration across its business lines, Warner is clearly doubling down on India. And as streaming habits evolve and independent music rises, the company is positioning itself to be not just a participant, but a key architect of the country’s next music chapter.
