iWorld
Ormax report: Prime Video’s Bawaal is the most-watched direct-to-OTT Hindi film of 2023
Mumbai: Ormax media has released the annual version of their report ‘Streaming Originals in India: The 2023 Story’.
Since 2018-19, Ormax Media has compiled extensive industry data for India’s growing streaming category. Their report, focusing solely on original content, analyses the top shows and films of 2023 in Hindi and International languages. It evaluates them based on viewership, marketing buzz, and content strength. Please note that this report excludes ‘non-original’ streaming content like theatrical films, catch-up television, sports, etc.
Farzi is the only show to cross the 30 mn viewership mark in 2023 and is now the most-watched SVOD series in India of all time. Both Prime Video and Disney+ Hotstar have six shows in the top 15 list. Two AVOD shows from JioCinema, i.e., Asur 2 & Taali, feature in the top five most-watched shows of the year.
The top 10 list has a healthy mix of sub-genres (TV show extensions, documentaries, task-based reality competitions, etc.), indicating that the non-fiction category now has significantly more width on OTT than a year or two ago.
Prime Video’s Bawaal is the most-watched direct-to-OTT Hindi film of 2023, followed by JioCinema’s Bloody Daddy. Netflix features strongly on this list, with six films on the platform crossing the nine million viewership mark.
Citadel, aided by Priyanka Chopra’s presence, is the most-watched International show of 2023, ahead of the rest of the pack by more than 50 per cent. Every other entry in this list, except Citadel, is a franchise show or brand extension.
Extraction 2 and Heart Of Stone, both on Netflix, are the only two International films to cross the eight million viewership mark. Two documentary films feature in the top 10 most-watched International films of 2023, both based on the Korean band BTS.
Farzi (Prime Video) generated the maximum Buzz, followed by S2 of Asur (JioCinema). Only three out of the top 15 ‘buzzing’ shows are franchise shows in 2023 (unlike nine shows in 2022).
Films featuring theatrical stars dominate the list. Seven out the top 10 films of 2023 on Buzz are from Netflix.
Only four International properties managed to touch the 15 per cent mark on Buzz in 2023. Seven properties on this list are from Netflix, indicating the strength of their international slate compared to other platforms.
Asur 2 (JioCinema) is the most-liked Hindi series of 2023. Farzi (Prime Video) and The Railway Men (Netflix) are the only other shows to cross the 70-mark on OPR in 2023.
Mission Majnu (Netflix), followed closely by Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai (ZEE5), is the most-liked direct-to-OTT film of 2023.
Except for Money Heist (S4 & S5), Loki S2 is the second most-liked International show till date (since the start of tracking in 2020). The top 10 list features shows from a variety of genres and languages.
Extraction 2 emerged as a break-out success in terms of its audience likeability, being the only International direct-to-OTT film to cross the 75 mark, 10 points higher than the second position on the list.
For more information, read the report here:
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.
