iWorld
Vikram Bhatt’s LoneRanger taps Brightcove for TVoD service by mid-Nov
MUMBAI: A US video firm has started working with a Bollywood producer on a streaming service soon after developments in India where VoD services such as Amazon and Netflix tried to get a toehold in the OTT market through original content agreements.
Netflix, late last year, signed a deal with Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies to distribute the studio’s films. Shortly later, Amazon announced its own content agreement in India with Xilam Animation, making the former the exclusive streaming platform for kids’ shows such as “Zig & Sharko” and “Oggy & the Cockroaches.”
Brightcove, a provider of cloud services for video, has now partnered LoneRanger Productions to develop an over-the-top (OTT) service for the production company. The deal represents Brightcove’s maiden deal with a Bollywood production company.
LoneRanger is headed by Vikram Bhatt, a 30-plus year veteran of the Bollywood market and the director of classic films such as Ghulam, Raaz, and 1920. With its transactional video on demand (TVoD) OTT service, LoneRanger claims to deliver the best of its mystery and suspense content to consumers. The service is expected to launch in mid-November.
“Today’s viewing experience is as much about mobile delivery as it is about television. So, we have been looking for a partner that could help us revolutionise the user experience,” Bhatt said.
“Brightcove’s platform performance, player speed and technology stack were real differentiators in creating a service that was theater-like. We also wanted a vendor that could help us get to market quickly — able to stand up our service within weeks after signing the contract,” he added.
Brightcove CEO Andrew Feinberg said: “India has an enormous opportunity because of the explosive growth in online video in the region.
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.
