iWorld
Nagaland CM and A R Rahman unveil global-scale Naga International Studio
KOHIMA: Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio and Oscar- and Grammy-winning composer A R Rahman have announced the launch of the Naga International Studio, a world-class music production and creative facility to be established in Kohima.
Conceptualised by Rahman, the studio will house state-of-the-art recording suites, a performance auditorium and supporting creative infrastructure, designed to nurture regional talent and enable global collaborations.
Welcoming Rahman to his native village of Touphema in Kohima district, Rio said the project reflected a shared commitment to creativity and innovation, and underlined the state government’s support for initiatives that empower artists from India’s north-east. He added that the studio would have lasting cultural and economic impact.
Rahman said Nagaland possessed a “rare musical soul”, deeply rooted in its culture, and described the studio as a bridge between local heritage and world-class creativity. He thanked the Nagaland government, the people of the state and the Task Force for Music & Arts (TAFMA) for backing the project.
Earlier, Rahman also unveiled the trailer of Headhunting to Beatboxing, a documentary directed by Rohit Gupta, chronicling Nagaland’s evolving musical identity.
The Naga International Studio has been designed by Bluecube Architects and Riyasdeen Riyan, with facilitation support from Tafma and the Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN). The project is expected to position Nagaland as a significant creative hub in the north-east and beyond.
iWorld
Subedaar puts Indian original cinema on the global map with record-breaking Prime Video debut
MUMBAI: Prime Video has a runaway hit on its hands. Subedaar, the gritty action drama starring Anil Kapoor, has stormed to become the most-watched Indian original movie on the platform in its opening weekend, cracking the Top 10 across 31 countries and landing in 91 per cent of India’s pin codes within days of its March 5 premiere.
The film, a visceral, emotionally-charged story of a retired soldier, Subedaar Arjun Maurya, wrestling with civilian life amid crime and corruption, has struck a nerve. Directed by Suresh Triveni and co-starring Radhikka Madan, Mona Singh, Saurabh Shukla, Aditya Rawal, Faisal Malik, and Khushboo Sundar, the film is already being hailed as a showcase for what Indian original storytelling can achieve on the world stage.
“Subedaar’s success is a reflection of the growing scale and global resonance of Indian storytelling,” said Nikhil Madhok, director and head of originals at Prime Video India. “The film’s emotional narrative, its rooted portrayal of a soldier confronting his toughest battles beyond the battlefield, has struck a chord. Anil Kapoor delivers an acting masterclass, while Suresh Triveni’s solid direction and great performances from the ensemble cast have resulted in love and appreciation from customers across the world.”
Kapoor, 62, has been here before, but rarely at this altitude. Written by Triveni and Prajwal Chandrashekar, with dialogues by Triveni, Saurabh Dwivedi, and Chandrashekar, the film is a production by Opening Image Films in association with Anil Kapoor Film & Communication Network (AKFCN), produced by Vikram Malhotra, Kapoor, and Triveni.
Subedaar streams exclusively on Prime Video in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu across India, and in over 240 countries and territories worldwide.
For Prime Video, the numbers tell the real story: one weekend, one film, a global footprint, and a very loud signal that Indian original cinema is no longer just travelling well. It’s arriving.
