iWorld
Zee5 amassed over million views for Friends: The Reunion
KOLKATA: To the delight of fans across the world, Friends: The Reunion returned to television screens on 27 May. While globally released on HBO Max, Indian viewers could also watch it on Zee5. On day one itself, the much-awaited return of the popular franchise registered over one million views, only hours after being aired.
“We at Zee are extremely delighted to note the roaring response that Friends: The Reunion received on Zee5, by amassing one million+ views and (still) counting, from across the country. We feel extremely proud to have played a part in understanding and serving the cult-loyal audience of the show, by streaming it across millions of screens. Consumer delight and a seamless user experience was an integral aspect of our approach across platforms and this step reinstates our commitment towards our viewers and partners,” Zee digital business and platforms president Amit Goenka said.
Zee5 announced last Sunday that it had picked up the rights of the show for Indian markets. For a generation and after, Friends, which ran from 1994 to 2004, had a massive following all over the globe, as in India as well. It continues to be one of the more popular series on Netflix, even after 27 years since its first episode was aired on TV. The special reunion episode’s trailer racked up hundreds of millions of views across several channels on YouTube, and wherever else it was released.
The current franchise offering features Jenifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry and Lisa Kudrow touring their old sets on the Warner Brothers studio lot that is followed by a sit down question and answer session with funny man James Corden before a live audience. Corden’s conversations with the six witnesses a lot of re-enacting from old episodes, reminiscing, leg pulling, and poignant moments leading to a lot of laughs and even tears for the stars.
“As the country’s youngest OTT platform, Zee5 will continue to win hearts, not just in India, but across the globe. We remain committed to delivering compelling content that caters to the consumers’ unique tastes and preferences and enhances the value for our partners. We will continue to augment our offerings with a bespoke catalogue of premium and original content for audiences in India and across the globe,” Goenka added further.
Currently, Zee5 is available at Rs 499 for a 12-month premium plan. The streaming platform has been striving to sign on new subscribers; and picked up the rights to Salman Khan’s Radhe at Rs 230 crore, which led to some 4.2-odd million concurrent viewers logging on for the film’s premiere.
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.
