iWorld
Jai Mahalakshmi now streaming on Hari Om OTT
Mumbai: Hari Om OTT, India’s streaming platform for Vedic history and devotional content, has announced its new series Jai Mahalakshmi, featuring Puja Banerjee in the lead role. The series tells the story of goddess Mahalakshmi, embodying wealth, prosperity, and fortune. Blending traditional storytelling with modern production, it offers a visual portrayal of devotion, compassion, and wisdom.
In Jai Mahalakshmi, the divine goddess descends from her celestial abode to restore balance in the universe, confronting the chaos unleashed by the demon Kolhasur. With the guidance of Lord Vishnu and her own unparalleled wisdom and strength, she battles the forces of darkness to protect humanity and restore prosperity. The series beautifully showcases the goddess’s power, compassion, and timeless values as she overcomes challenges to bring peace and harmony to the cosmos.
Banerjee said, “After taking a break from the industry, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to play Mata Lakshmi. It truly felt like a once-in-a-lifetime role, and as someone who has always held great belief in the goddess, it was deeply personal for me. I’ve fasted every Thursday in devotion to Mata Lakshmi, so portraying her on screen felt like a natural extension of my faith. This role allowed me to connect spiritually while bringing her grace, strength, and compassion to life. It’s more than just a character—it’s a journey of empowerment that I’m proud to share with the world.”
She further added, “The role demanded not just physical preparation but emotional depth. Her journey in the show is not just about the battles she fights but also about the wisdom she imparts. It’s an honor to bring this iconic character to life on screen, and I hope audiences feel inspired by her as much as I did portraying her.”
Hari Om OTT CEO Megha Agarwal said, “We are thrilled to bring Jai Mahalakshmi to audiences at a time that perfectly aligns with the essence of Mata Lakshmi’s story and the values she embodies. From the visuals to the storytelling, everything was crafted to deliver an epic experience, inviting viewers of all generations to explore the greatness and incredible journey of Mata Lakshmi. With Jai Mahalakshmi, we are proud to showcase India’s rich culture and heritage to the world, connecting audiences with our vibrant traditions and spiritual legacy.”
Hari Om OTT head of content Angira Vats added, “Our vision at Hari Om was to present stories that resonate with audiences of all ages. Jai Mahalakshmi is a testament to that goal, blending mythology with engaging visuals. We’re proud to bring such a culturally significant story to life for the first time on Indian OTT.”
Hari Om OTT, India’s first streaming platform dedicated to mythological, devotional, and spiritual content, brings forward the stories and values of Indian culture through original series, documentaries, music, and live broadcasts.
The platform is available on devices including Play Store, App Store, Google TV, Fire TV, Samsung TV, Apple TV, and LG TV.
iWorld
T20 World Cup ’26: India–England semi-final sets global streaming record of 619 million views on JioHotstar
India–England semi-final records 65.2 million peak streams
MUMBAI: The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 set a new milestone in global sports streaming, as the India–England semi-final drew record digital audiences on JioHotstar.
The match on 5 March registered 65.2 million peak concurrent viewers, the highest ever recorded for a live event on any streaming platform worldwide. The semi-final also generated 619 million views, making it the most streamed T20 international match in history.
The landmark audience numbers were driven largely by viewers in India, setting a record achieved within a single market, rather than through aggregated viewership across multiple countries.
The high-scoring encounter between India national cricket team and England cricket team produced 499 runs across both innings, fuelling widespread fan engagement across platforms.
According to the International Cricket Council, the digital record surpassed the previous global benchmark of 65 million concurrent viewers, set in November 2024 by another international streaming platform.
Across television and digital platforms combined, the semi-final reached more than 320 million viewers, while total watch time exceeded 23 billion minutes, making it the most watched T20 international match ever.
“This World Cup demonstrates the immense passion of cricket fans and the progress made in bringing the game closer to audiences worldwide,” said ICC chairman Jay Shah.
“This moment reflects the scale of cricket fandom in India and the technological capability required to serve hundreds of millions of viewers simultaneously.”
JioStar vice-chairman Uday Shankar, said the audience surge underscored the future of large-scale digital entertainment.
“One in every three Indians tuned in to watch the second semi-final. Delivering such an experience at scale requires the very best of technology,” he said.
The 619 million views during the match also eclipsed the 533 million views recorded during the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
With the final yet to be played, the 2026 tournament has already set multiple benchmarks in audience reach and digital engagement.
India will face the New Zealand national cricket team in the final on 8 March at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network and streamed on JioHotstar.
