iWorld
VICE India hires Pragya Tiwari as content head and OML’s Samira Kanwar as head – video
MUMBAI: Last year, the global news industry’s disrupter Shane Smith’s VICE Media announced a joint venture with the Jains’ Times of India group. And, after that, there was silence from Shane and his gang of alternative newsmen.
But, apparently some progress has been made by Shane and Jay Rosenstock, if one goes by the buzz online.
Pragya Tiwari, a film maker, and former web editor of Tehelka, who recently got a masters degree in public administration from the London School of Economics, recently updated her Twitter profile stating that she is the editor-in-chief of VICE India.
And she tweeted: “Good people, @VICE is coming to India! If you’d like to work with/write for us email me on indiapitches@vice.com. Also, pls spread the word?”
In response to the flood of applications and queries, she said that she had been appointed as the content head of VICE India and was looking for writers in Hindi and English.
Tiwari’s Linkedin profile states that she is a “Freelance writer and journalist” and that she writes on politics, policy and culture for many different Indian and international publications. She is also the editor-in-chief of The Big Indian Picture as well as creative director of balconytv.com, which she will leaving to others to run.
VICE India has also snared former Only Much Louder (OML) content director Samira Kanwar as the head of Vice – video. The lady has oodles of experience having worked for Channel [V] as a director/producer and as the CEO of OML division Babble Fish Productions.
“Rosenstock and Shane have been big admirers of the work that Vijay Nair’s OML team produce,” says a media observer. “Hence, it is no surprise that they roped in Samira.”
Tiwari has tweeted saying that VICE India is looking for journalists in Delhi and Mumbai – having both text and video journalism experience. Not just full timers, but even freelancers.
And, she has further tweeted that VICE’s Indian version will launch soon.
Also Read:
Vice Media to build largest OTT platform, expand to 80 markets by early ’18
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.
