iWorld
Josh Studios’ ‘World Famous’ talent hunt heads to Rajasthan
Mumbai: Short video app Josh has announced the launch of the third edition of ‘World Famous’ – a multi-city talent hunt for discovering India’s talented youth. The platform has roped in Parle Kismi as a sponsor.
A three-week-long talent hunt spanning three cities will first arrive in Jodhpur, before travelling to Kota and then concluding in a grand finale at Jaipur, said the statement.
Registrations for the mega talent hunt has been kickstarted on the Josh app wherein participants can upload content across genres on the app with the hashtag #WFR. The participants with highest number of votes will get the opportunity to participate in the semi-finales at Jodhpur and Kota on 2 March and 4 March, respectively. The winners of the semi-finales will then get the chance to battle it out for the ultimate prize at the grand finale at Jaipur scheduled for 6 March.
The winners of World Famous will stand the chance to win up to Rs 1 lakh in cash prizes and the opportunity to be mentored and groomed by the top creators in the ecosystem. Bollywood stars such as Dino Morea, Rannvijay Singh, Urvashi Rautela and Karan Wahi to interact with participants and give the talented youth of Rajasthan the platform to share their passion with the world.
“Rooted in a rich artistic heritage, Rajasthan is home to some of the most rustic and dynamic art forms in India – be it the graceful Ghoomar dance, the rich folk music, the expressive kathputhli or the lively paintings,” said Josh Studios head Seher Bedi. “We, at Josh, are very excited to launch World Famous in Rajasthan as we continue our quest to discover India’s hidden talent. World Famous was crafted around the philosophy of celebrating talent. We believe the talented youth at Rajasthan will be a true reflection of the state’s artistic roots and are very excited to see what the state has to offer.”
Josh Studios was unveiled in March 2021 to scale the short-video platform’s capabilities to create a cutting-edge content and talent hub.
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.
