iWorld
Love at first sight unseen in Zee5 rom-com Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan
MUMBAI: Who says love needs eyes to see? Sometimes, it only takes a train ride, a song, and a spark to light up a story. That’s the heart of Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, a tender rom-com inspired by Ruskin Bond’s The Eyes Have It, premiering on Zee5 on 5th September.
Produced by Mini Films and directed by Santosh Singh, the film follows Jahaan (Vikrant Massey), a blind musician with a gift for melody, and Saba (Shanaya Kapoor, in her debut), an aspiring actress with fire in her heart. Their chance meeting on a train sets off a connection not bound by sight but built on shared dreams, witty banter, and moments that toe the line between humour and heartache. Adding depth to the journey is Zain Khan Durrani in a supporting role.
The soundtrack, composed by Vishal Mishra and featuring vocals by Jubin Nautiyal, Asees Kaur, and Mishra himself, adds another emotional layer to this story of love beyond appearances. Zee5’s Kaveri Das calls it a “refreshingly unconventional rom-com that speaks to both heart and humour.”
For Massey, playing Jahaan was “an enriching experience that revealed strength in vulnerability,” while Shanaya Kapoor describes her role as “the perfect story to begin my journey with.” Their chemistry promises both light-hearted fun and stirring emotion.
With its playful warmth and soulful undercurrents, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan invites audiences to “dil se dekho” see with the heart. On 5th September, when it streams exclusively on Zee5, viewers might just find themselves falling for a love story that proves sometimes the most powerful connections are the ones you don’t see coming.
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.
