iWorld
Jio shifts gears as 5G, homes and AI deals drive quarter momentum
MUMBAI: If numbers could talk, they would probably say this, scale only matters when it moves fast. That was the clear subtext of the update shared by Anshuman Thakur, head of strategy at Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, during the earnings call following the company’s unaudited results for the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2025.
Speaking on the transcripted call, Thakur traced Jio’s performance back to a long-standing strategy rooted in building proprietary, India-first technologies that work at global scale. That approach, he noted, is now fully embedded across Jio’s 4G and 5G core networks, fixed wireless access solutions and connected home platforms, all developed in-house to suit Indian price points and usage patterns.
Jio closed the quarter with over 515 million subscribers, adding 8.9 million net users, while its 5G base crossed 253 million. The shift to next-generation networks gathered pace, with 53 per cent of total data traffic now on 5G, easing pressure on 4G and improving overall service quality. Total data consumption crossed 60 billion GB, with per capita usage jumping from 32.3 GB to 40.7 GB, underlining how faster networks are reshaping consumer behaviour.
The company’s home broadband push also gathered momentum. Jio added more than one million homes every month for seven consecutive months, taking total fixed broadband connections past 25 million, including 11.5 million JioAirFiber homes. Wireless last-mile connections now dominate new additions, helping Jio gain over 800 basis points of market share in home broadband over the past year, with 70 per cent of incremental industry additions coming through its network.
Financially, the momentum translated into solid gains. Operating revenues for the quarter crossed Rs.37,000 crore, while EBITDA rose 16.5 per cent year-on-year to Rs.18,408 crore, delivering a margin of 56.2 per cent at the operating level. Consolidated revenues for Jio Platforms stood at Rs.37,262 crore, up 12.7 per cent, with profit after tax at Rs.7,629 crore. ARPU improved organically to Rs.213.7, driven by customer mix and value-added services rather than tariff hikes.
Beyond connectivity, partnerships and platforms added a fresh layer to the story. Offerings such as JioHotstar and the rollout of Google Gemini Pro to unlimited 5G users have boosted engagement while deepening Jio’s understanding of consumer behaviour. With proprietary networks, expanding enterprise services and a growing digital ecosystem, Jio appears to be turning technological self-reliance into a sustained competitive edge, one quarter at a time.
iWorld
Prime Video and Hrithik Roshan reunite for quirky heist comedy Mess
HRX Films expands pact with quirky heist comedy set for production
MUMBAI: Prime Video is doubling down on its partnership with Hrithik Roshan, announcing a new comedy film Mess that promises chaos, chuckles and a clever twist on the classic heist.
Produced by Hrithik Roshan and Eshaan Roshan under HRX Films, a division of FilmKraft Productions, the film is being made in association with Soda Films Lab. Directed by Rajesh A Krishnan, Mess marks the second collaboration between the streaming platform and HRX Films after the upcoming thriller Storm.
At the heart of Mess lies an unusual premise. A group of robbers break into the home of a man with OCD, only to find themselves outmatched in a night-long standoff that flips the script on who is really in control. It is a set-up that blends tension with humour, turning a break-in into a breakdown of expectations.
Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok said, “A good story should surprise and entertain, and Mess does both with ease. It brings together a unique premise, memorable characters and a tone that keeps you laughing throughout.”
He added that the collaboration with HRX Films continues to grow stronger, with the new film reflecting a shared appetite for bold and original storytelling.
Hrithik Roshan said, “After Storm, Mess feels like a natural next step in our journey with Prime Video. The film captures the kind of unconventional storytelling we want to champion, with Rajesh bringing a distinctive voice to the narrative.”
Director Rajesh A Krishnan said, “The world of Mess is a mix of comedy and chaos, unusual enough to keep audiences on edge while still delivering humour. It has been a deeply collaborative and creatively fulfilling experience.”
The original screenplay comes from Paul Soter, with adaptation and dialogues by Kapil Sawant, adding another layer of craft to the film’s offbeat narrative.
As production gears up, Mess looks ready to live up to its name, serving up a delightful tangle of mayhem, mischief and movie magic for audiences in India and beyond.
