iWorld
McCain StarChef season two to air exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar India
Mumbai: Prepare for the ultimate cooking showdown as McCain’s StarChef Season 2 is coming on Disney+ Hotstar! After a successful premiere on GOODTiMES, the show will now stream exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar, airing on the platform from 15 May 2024.
Building on the success of the inaugural season, Season 2 boasted an expanded format with five thrilling episodes. Four episodes were dedicated to the diverse culinary landscapes of each region in India. This season also featured a wildcard entry. The panel of judges for McCain StarChef Season 2 is a stellar line-up of culinary luminaries. Leading the charge in the grand finale was the renowned chef Manish Mehrotra, while the regional episodes were graced by the discerning palates of Anahita Dhondy and Aditya Bal.
Commenting on the brand-new season, McCain Foods India director – sales and marketing (food services, QSR and exports) Samantha Dutta said, “We are thrilled to bring McCain Star Chef Season 2 to audiences across the nation. This season represents a celebration of culinary diversity, talent, and innovation. The overwhelming response is a testament to the incredible pool of culinary expertise in our country. McCain StarChef is not just a competition; it’s a journey that brings together the rich tapestry of India’s regional cuisines. We are honoured to have esteemed judges, Manish Mehrotra, Anahita Dhondy, and Aditya Bal, guiding our contestants through this gastronomic adventure. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey like never. We’re thrilled to partner with Hotstar to bring this feast to the screens of every Indian household.”
Taking the digital world by storm across platforms, McCain has also launched an interactive Augmented Reality or AR Filter on Instagram for this launch. While consumers take part in the heat of the sharp competition by using this filter, McCain is also engaging students, or soon-to-be chefs – by placing a QR Code across hotel management institutes across India. Students will be led to the AR filter post filling a detailed form via this code, which will help scout for the next up and coming StarChef! The filter can be found here. – to be embedded as hyperlink.
This year, McCain StarChef received an overwhelming response from across the nation, with an astonishing 7000 entries from passionate and talented chefs vying for the coveted title. The competition promised to showcase the best of Indian cuisine, reflecting the rich and diverse culinary heritage that defines our nation.
This partnership between McCain Foods India and Disney+ Hotstar ensures that the culinary brilliance of StarChef reaches audiences across the country. The show will be available in Hindi and English on the platform. Viewers can expect to be entertained, inspired, and blown away as they watch these culinary maestros transform ordinary ingredients into extraordinary experiences.
iWorld
Prime Video unveils biggest India originals slate yet
Nearly 55 titles across languages signal deeper push into films, series
MUMBAI: Prime Video is turning up the volume on Indian storytelling, unveiling its largest-ever Originals slate at the ‘Prime Video Presents’ showcase, with close to 55 series and films spanning languages, genres and formats.
The new lineup, which stretches across Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, signals a clear intent: go bigger, go wider, and meet audiences wherever they are watching, whether on streaming screens or in cinemas. Alongside Originals, the platform also announced a fresh theatrical slate under Amazon MGM Studios, marking a deeper step into the big-screen business.
Among the headline acts is The Revolutionaries, a large-scale drama from Nikkhil Advani starring Bhuvan Bam and Rohit Saraf. The slate also features Matka King with Vijay Varma, Raakh starring Ali Fazal and Sonali Bendre, and Lukkhe, which marks rapper King’s acting debut. Adding a genre twist is Vansh – The Kalyug Warriors, positioned as India’s first homegrown Hindi superhero series for streaming.
Familiar favourites are also making a return, with new seasons of Farzi, Panchayat, Call Me Bae, Dupahiya, Dahaad and The Traitors in the pipeline, reinforcing the platform’s bet on established franchises.
Regional storytelling gets a notable push. Highlights include a Telugu adaptation of The Traitors hosted by Teja Sajja, the drama Guvvala Cheruvu Ghat, and Tamil titles such as Exam and returning seasons of Vadhandhi and Inspector Rishi.
The slate also opens new creative partnerships. Hrithik Roshan’s HRX Films steps into streaming with Storm and Mess, while Alia Bhatt’s Eternal Sunshine Productions backs Don’t Be Shy. Production houses including Excel Entertainment, Tiger Baby Films and The Viral Fever further deepen the creative bench.
On the theatrical front, the platform is lining up five films, including Raftaar starring Rajkummar Rao and Keerthy Suresh, VIBE directed by Kunal Kemmu, Dilkashi with music by A. R. Rahman, Nayyi Navelli featuring Yami Gautam, and Kuku Ki Kundli starring Wamiqa Gabbi.
According to Prime Video India director and head of Svod business Shilangi Mukherji, India remains central to the platform’s global growth, ranking among its top markets for new subscribers. She noted that nearly two-thirds of users watch content in more than four languages, underlining a growing appetite for diverse storytelling.
Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok, said the new slate reflects a continued push towards bold, culturally rooted narratives with global appeal.
In short, Prime Video is not just adding titles, it is widening the lens. From small-town dramas to superhero sagas and cinema-ready spectacles, the message is simple: more stories, more voices, and far more ways to watch them.
