iWorld
Pocket FM brings Marvel heroes to Hindi audio series
MUMBAI: When superheroes swap capes for headphones, the action still packs a punch. Pocket FM has partnered with Disney Publishing APAC to launch 36 iconic Marvel audio series in Hindi for listeners across India.
The collaboration brings some of Marvel’s biggest names including Spider-Man, The Avengers and Wolverine to life as multi-episode audio stories designed for mobile-first, on-the-go listening. Produced as high-quality audio series, the shows unfold across long narrative arcs, aiming to recreate the scale and drama of Marvel storytelling without a screen in sight.
Disney Publishing APAC said the move reflects how storytelling is evolving beyond traditional formats. Pocket FM’s audio-first approach, it noted, turns listening into an immersive, almost cinematic experience, opening Marvel’s universe to a new generation of Indian fans.
“We’ve always believed in the power of Disney storytelling, proving that stories can travel anywhere when they connect with audiences,” said Disney Publishing VP of publishing and experiences for APAC Veronica Cabalinan. “Pocket FM is turning listening into a deeply emotional and almost cinematic experience. We are excited to see how Marvel’s Super Heroes will inspire a new generation of fans in India by harnessing the power of audio.”
For Pocket FM, the partnership strengthens a genre that is already gaining traction. Indian audiences have shown growing appetite for fantasy-led narratives from mythology-inspired tales to supernatural thrillers and superhero fiction fits neatly into that mix of imagination and escapism.
“Our cultural DNA is built on imagination, and larger-than-life storytelling.” said Pocket FM co-founder and CEO Rohan Nayak. “Together with Disney, we’re turning the epic stories of Marvel Super Heroes into serialized audio journeys that feel native, emotional, and accessible. Fantasy and super-hero series have always been one of Pocket FM’s strongest genres and continues to grow exponentially. With this collaboration, we are ensuring that premium fantasy entertainment is inclusive and deeply relatable so that anyone, anywhere in India, can feel like they are truly part of the story.”
The deal also underscores a broader shift in entertainment, as global IP owners explore audio as a serious storytelling medium in India’s fast-growing vernacular market. With 36 series rolling out, Pocket FM is positioning audio not as a side act, but as the main stage for superheroes ready to be heard rather than seen.
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.
