Movies
Saregama & Officer’s Choice launch short film platform Salute Zindagi
MUMBAI: Allied Blenders and Distillers Pvt. Ltd., India’s homegrown spirits company, has launched Officer’s Choice Blue Snacks, Salute Zindagi, in association with Saregama. Taking forward the brand’s core ethos of the ‘Good Samaritan’, the platform is set to host six short films inspired by the lives of real heroes, who have personified the value of righteousness in their deeds and action.
The series will bring out heart-warming stories in an entertaining format of five minutes, of real heroes who through their extraordinary acts of kindness have inspired millions. From a security guard who has written 4000 heart-warming letters to the families of martyrs to a rickshawala who gives free rides in his well-equipped rickshaw, almost running a gift economy, these stories capture the essence of righteousness. The platform in association with Saregama aims at highlighting the value of righteousness that has been long associated with Officer’s Choice Blue through a series of 6 short films that will be rolled out every three weeks.
Talking about this unique initiative, Ahmed Rahimtoola, Head of Marketing, Allied Blenders and Distillers said, “’Salute Zindagi’ is our effort at curating stories that bring to the fore heart-warming and inspiring stories of real heroes. Their extraordinary acts of kindness resonate with the timeless value of righteousness that has been long associated with Officer’s Choice Blue. Keeping the brand’s philosophy at the core and the growing relevance of short form content on digital media, this property will allow us to connect better with the youth.”
Saregama VP – films & national TV Siddharth Anand Kumar said, “We chose to focus on stories of everyday people who, by doing small acts of kindness, make a big impact and literally turn the frowns on people’s faces into smiles. We have leveraged the emotive appeal of evergreen songs from the Saregama catalogue.”
Movies
Tamil film Made in Korea tops Netflix global chart, storms 24 countries
Cross-cultural drama races to No.1, marking a global breakthrough for South Indian cinema
MUMBAI: A Tamil tale has gone global at speed. Netflix’s Made in Korea has shot to No.1 on its Global Top 10 Non-English Films list, trending across 24 countries within days of release.
Premiering on March 12, the film, directed by Ra.Karthik and starring Priyanka Mohan, is the only South Indian title to claim the top spot across both licensed and Netflix original films, underlining the growing global pull of regional Indian cinema.
The story, which follows Shenba’s journey from Tamil Nadu to Seoul, has struck a chord for its emotional warmth, scenic visuals and cross-cultural appeal. Early word-of-mouth has powered its rapid climb, turning a modest release into a global talking point.
Monika Shergill, vice-president, content, Netflix India, said, “We are proud that a story like Made in Korea has become the first ever film from our south slate to land at the No.1 spot on our Global Top 10 Non-English Films list. It reaffirms our belief that there is so much more from India for the world to discover and embrace. This film stands out for blending two distinct cultures into one powerful story that explores universal emotions of love, friendship, belonging and family. At Netflix, we remain committed to championing authentic, locally rooted stories and it’s incredibly exciting to see a film like this travel so widely and connect with audiences around the world.”
Priyanka Mohan called the moment deeply personal. “Moments like these are what every artist truly hopes for. We always strive to give our best, but some films become very special in our journey as performers, and Made in Korea is one of them for me. Shenba is a character that touched my heart from the moment I read the script, and bringing her story to life has been incredibly meaningful. Working with Ra.Karthik sir was a wonderful experience. He has such clarity and sincerity in the way he tells stories. I’m also grateful to our producer Sreenidhi Sagar sir and the entire team for their constant support. And of course, my heartfelt thanks to Netflix for giving this story such a wonderful platform and helping it reach audiences everywhere.”
Ra.Karthik struck a similar note. “There are certain films you make with complete faith in the audience, believing they will connect with the emotions you are trying to convey. It is truly heartening to see Made in Korea trending on Netflix and receiving such encouraging responses from viewers, not just in India but across the world. Priyanka Mohan brought incredible dedication and sincerity to Shenba’s character, and that commitment reflects beautifully on screen. I’m grateful to producer Sreenidhi Sagar for trusting this story and to Netflix for providing such a wonderful platform for the film to reach audiences across countries.”
As the film continues to travel across borders, its success signals more than just a hit. It marks a shift, where local stories, told with authenticity, are no longer confined by language or geography. In the streaming wars, the South is not just rising. It is rewriting the script.
