Sony LIV has officially announced that the second season of 

will begin streaming from January 9, marking the return of one of its most ambitious historical dramas. The new chapter expands the canvas of the series, plunging deeper into the months that transformed the subcontinent at the dawn of independence.

‘Freedom at Midnight’: SonyLIV Locks January Release For Season 2 of Nikkhil Advani's Political Thriller

After a globe-trotting festival run and sustained international buzz, 

is finally coming home. The neo-noir film, which premiered at Cannes in 2023 and has since remained one of the filmmaker’s most talked-about titles, is set for an India streaming debut in February, 

While an official announcement around the release date and streaming partner is imminent, industry chatter suggests the film will finally get the wide platform it has long been tipped for, after travelling to over 30 film festivals across more than a dozen countries.

had made history in December last year as the only Indian title selected for the launch lineup of the Letterboxd Video Store. “The response there was phenomenal and underscored the sustained curiosity around the film,” a source tells 

. “The pieces are now falling into place for a big India launch.”

is produced by Ranjan Singh, Good Bad Films and Zee Studios. Shot largely at night across Mumbai over an intense 30-day schedule, the film follows an insomniac ex-cop, presumed dead, who continues to work for a corrupt system while seeking redemption. 

part of the Mumbai noir Kashyap films like 

had its India premiere at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival in 2023, where it received a thunderous response leading to a standing ovation.

After its Cannes and MAMI debut, the film was screened at the Sydney International Film Festival (Australia), Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (South Korea), Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (Switzerland),  MOTELX - Lisbon International Horror Film Festival and Indie Meme Film Festival (Austin, Texas), among others.

The filmmaker will also have another release this year: 

which debuted at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival

Lights, Camera, Scoop | Anurag Kashyap’s 'Kennedy' to Finally Release in India; February Streaming Debut Locked

Filmmaker SS Rajamouli is set to unveil his latest global epic 

next year. Headlined by Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran, the globe-spanning adventure has booked an April 7, 2027 release date.

The release date announcement began with a smart campaign, when hoardings surfaced across Varanasi city with a simple statement: In theatres, April 7, 2027. Shortly after, film trade across the world got a tip off of the global outing of 

On Friday evening, Rajamouli took to X and dropped a new poster of the film, confirming its release date. The release date poster showed an asteroid tearing through Earth’s atmosphere, confirming the plot of the film that has been doing the rounds.

A screengrab from Letterboxd had gone viral about the film's plot, which states that a chain of catastrophic events is set in motion when an asteroid strikes the city of Varaṇasi. "Is the world on the brink of doom? Does humanity need a saviour—one who must traverse continents and timelines—to alter the most crucial moment in Earth’s history?"

, which was released on a grand scale in Hyderabad last year, features fantastical glimpses of various places and spaces, such as Antarctica, Varanasi, and Kenya, across time periods, including 512 CE, 2027 CE and the Threthayuga, hinting at a possible time travel drama. 

The teaser ends with Mahesh Babu charging ahead on a ferocious bull, amidst the background of the pilgrimage city of Varanasi.

as Mandakini, while Sukumaran will be seen as the film's antagonist, Kumbha. The film, reportedly mounted on a whopping ₹1,000 crore budget, reunites Rajamouli with 

Rajamouli has been shooting the film since last year and is expected to wrap it up by August, following which the team will begin its extensive post-production work. 

is Rajamouli's first film since his global breakout with 

in 2022, which bagged an Oscar for the Best Original Song for the track 'Naatu Naatu'.

SS Rajamouli, Mahesh Babu’s 'Varanasi' Locks April 2027 Release Date

After much anticipation, the Tamil Nadu government has announced the State Film Awards for the years 2016 to 2022. Along with this announcement, the State Television Awards for the years 2014 to 2022 were also announced.

The likes of Dhanush, Vijay Sethupathi, Suriya, Arya, Vikram Prabhu, Karthi, and Parthiban were chosen as Best Actors (Male). Nayanthara, Keerthy Suresh, Jyotika, Aparna Balamurali, Lijomol Jose and Sai Pallavi were Best Actors (Female) for the years 2016 to 2022.

The State Film Awards also honour filmmaking, music direction, editing, and other technical fields. Notable winners included filmmakers such as 

Lokesh Kanagaraj, Mari Selvaraj, Sudha Kongara and 

while composers like A.R. Rahman, Santhosh Narayanan, GV Prakash Kumar and 

The official awards ceremony for the winners of the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards will be held on February 13 at the Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai.

Best Film (Second Prize): Puriyatha Puthir

Best Film About Women Empowerment (Special Prize): Aruvi

Best Actor: Vijay Sethupathi (Puriyatha Puthir)

Best Actress: Keerthy Suresh (Paambu Sattai)

Best Actor (Special Prize): S Guru Somasundaram (Joker)

Best Actress (Special Prize): Aditi Balan (Aruvi)

Best Comedy Actor: Robo Shankar (posthomous) (Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaran)

Best Comedy Actress: Madhumitha (Kaashmora)

Best Supporting Actor: R Parthiban (Maaveeran Kittu)

Best Supporting Actress: Manisha Yadav (Oru Kuppai Kathai)

Best Director: Lokesh Kanagaraj (Maanagaram)

Best Music Director: Sam CS (Puriyatha Puthir)

Best Lyricist: Madhan Karky ('Naan Un' from 24)

Best Playback Singer (Male): Velmurugan (Oru Kuppai Kathai)

Best Playback Singer (Female): Vaikom Vijayalakshmi (Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaran)

Best Cinematographer: Balasubramaniem (Kathakali)

Best Editor: Kasi Viswanathan (Maaveeran Kittu)

Best Stunt Coordinator: Anbariv (Kaashmora/24)

Best Film About Women Empowerment (Special Prize): Dharmadurai

Best Actor: Karthi (Theeran Adhigaram Ondru)

Best Actor (Special Prize): Santhosh Sreeram (To Let)

Best Actress (Special Prize): Andrea Jeremiah (Taramani)

Best Villain: Prasanna (Thiruttu Payale 2)

Best Comedy Actor: Bala Saravanan (En Aaloda Seruppa Kaanom)

Best Comedy Actress: Urvashi (Magalir Mattum)

Best Supporting Actor: Bose Venkat (Kavan/Theeran Adhigaram Ondru)

Best Supporting Actress: Sunu Lakshmi (Aramm)

Best Director: Pushkar-Gayathri (Vikram Vedha)

Best Music Director: Hip Hop Thamizhaa (Kavan)

Best Lyricist: Vivek ('Theeran Da' from Theeran Adhigaram Ondru)

Best Playback Singer (Male): Sathyaprakash (Thiruttu Payale 2)

Best Playback Singer (Female): Shakthisree Gopalan (Vikram Vedha)

Best Cinematographer: P Chelladurai (Thiruttu Payale 2)

Best Editor: A Raja Mohammad (Thiruttu Payale 2/Veeraiyan)

Best Art Director: AK Muthu (Andava Kaanom)

Best Stunt Coordinator: Dhilip Subbarayan (Vikram Vedha/Theeran Adhigaram Ondru)

Best Film (First Prize): Pariyerum Perumal

Best Film (Second Prize): Kadaikutty Singam

Best Film About Women Empowerment (Special Prize): Kanaa

Best Actress: Jyothika (Chekka Chivantha Vaanam)

Best Actor (Special Prize): Vishnu Vishal (Ratsasan)

Best Actress (Special Prize): Aishwarya Rajesh (Kanaa/Vada Chennai)

Best Villain: Samuthirakani (Vada Chennai)

Best Supporting Actor: Ameer (Vada Chennai)

Best Supporting Actress: Viji Chandrasekhar (Kadaikutty Singam)

Best Director: Mari Selvaraj (Pariyerum Perumal)

Best Music Director: Santhosh Narayanan (Vada Chennai)

Best Lyricist: Thiyagarajan Kumararaja (Seethakaathi)

Best Playback Singer (Male): Sid Sriram (Multiple Films)

Best Playback Singer (Female): Aaradhana Sivakarthikeyan (Kanaa)

Best Cinematographer: R Velraj (Kadaikutty Singam/Vada Chennai)

Best Art Director: Vinoth Rajkumar (Seethakaathi)

Best Stunt Coordinator: Supreme Sundar (Goli Soda 2)

Best Film (Second Prize): Oththa Seruppu Size 7

Best Film (Special Prize): KD Engira Karuppudurai

Best Film About Women Empowerment (Special Prize): Pon Magal Vandhal

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards (2016 to 2022): Suriya, Dhanush, Lokesh Kanagaraj, Nayanthara Among The Winners

The actor has announced her latest production venture, which is billed as a coming-of-age romantic comedy. The Prime Video original movie will be backed by Alia and her sister, Shaheen Bhatt, under their banner Eternal Sunshine Productions.

follows the story of Shyamili ‘Shy’ Das, a 20-year-old girl who thinks she has everything figured out until her perfectly planned life takes an unpredictable turn, and things begin to spiral out of her control.

"At Eternal Sunshine, we’ve always wanted to back stories that feel honest and voices that feel their own,” said Alia, co-founder of Eternal Sunshine Productions. "This film immediately spoke to us because of its sincerity and coming-of-age lens and Sreeti’s passion and energy naturally fed into the spirit of the story."

Nikhil Madhok, Director & Head of Originals, Prime Video, India, said the team is thrilled to collaborate with Alia and Shaheen on this "extremely fun yet warm romantic comedy, with a remarkable character like Shy Das at its heart." 

"Alia’s innate instinct for stories that are emotionally rich, deeply relatable, and immensely entertaining shines through in this young adult story about friendship, love, and growing up. With a strong female-forward narrative, writing that’s fresh, relatable and humorous, and earnest characters, complemented by infectious music from Ram Sampath, 

 promises to be a delightful experience for audiences around the world," Madhok added.

is co-produced by Grishma Shah and Vikesh Bhutani. The team is yet to reveal its principal cast and other details. Alia, meanwhile, has two releases lined up: YRF spy-universe film 

which is expected to release this year and  Sanjay Leela Bhansali's epic 

co-starring Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal, likely to be released next year.

Alia Bhatt Collaborates with Prime Video for New Production 'Don’t Be Shy'

(2019), lead actor Asif Ali deflected all his praise by giving “50 per cent” of it to the work Melwy put in to create his costumes. He played a rubber tapper in the film, the kind who’d probably buy just two to three pairs of clothes in a whole year. 

“When you’re trying to create realism through costumes, you need to really understand your character,” Melwy explains. “There’s a lot of research and depth that goes into each decision. In 

… I wanted you to be able to imagine the man’s cupboard and the timeline of the film to understand how many clothes he’s got and how many years he’d been wearing them. A man like him can’t keep changing his shirts, even if he can afford to.” 

From a film like that to working on a project like 

is the other end of the creativity spectrum, the sort of film in which costumes have no limitations. It’s also an entertainer that does not attempt subtlety or realism, adding to the fun Melwy had as he went through the long making process. For one, he wants to thank the production for the way it took him and all other technicians along, right from day one. “As soon as I joined the film, they began by putting out creatives on social media announcing that I would be working on their film. It made me feel I’m joining a place that values my work and what I have to offer. It became 

It’s what he calls “a crazy film” filled with possibilities. As he goes through the process of working on the wrestling costumes — an opportunity he might never get again in Malayalam — he talks about the debates and conversations that brought it all alive. Here are the six main wrestlers and how their costumes came to be, as told by Melwy himself. 

We drew inspiration for his look from Shawn Michaels, the legendary wrestler. Right from his intro shot, in which he swings into the ring using a zipline, that was the persona we wanted to mirror… along the lines of “Malayalifying” Shawn Michaels in a Kochi backdrop. Anend C Chandran [DOP] had decided on a colour palette for him that was based on white-and-gold, and then we got to work. The entry scene for Arjun deserved to be larger than life, like a major festival, and it was Anend who gave me “Thrissur Pooram” as a cue. We based his shoulder puff on the 

 (the fans used by mahouts atop the elephant), and also used stencils of elephants as a design motif on the costume. To maintain the colour pattern, we also drew ideas from Kerala-specific art forms such as 

. The idea of his cape was again given to me by Anend because it reflects light dreamily. Basically, his entry had to have all the grandeur of witnessing the biggest elephant making its entry during Thrissur Pooram…an image no Malayali can resist.

Similarly, the colours that were planned for Roshan were going to be red. I had already worked on a lot of Theyyam designs and research for my work in 

(2024), so it wasn’t particularly hard to reimagine those colours for a wrestling attire. We then brought motifs from Kalaripayattu, the ancient marital art form. Reds and blacks were both abundant in both, and Adhvaith, the film’s director, had already visualised a sequence during Vetri’s entry in which he could pull away a large part of his costume in one dramatic shot. So, what he was wearing inside needed to be given equal importance, almost like two different looks within one. Prints of a theyyam artist, face paints and a few additions were made as variations. The anklets (chilanka) of a theyyam performer were used in place of wrist bands for him too. It’s these sorts of ideas that one gets where there is absolute freedom and encouragement to go anywhere for a vision.

His look was based on a wrestler like Randy Orton. Even though we told Shyam that we'd be showing him in briefs, he was cool with the idea. Because his name was Bhasmasuran, we could experiment with the idea of him being covered with ashes all around. That gave our costume an additional madness, and it also looked fun on camera. What stands out about his character is that he plays a tailor in the film, too, so the idea is that he’s the one making all these cool costumes for the other wrestlers. Even when he was not in the ring, we gave him things like a patch for his pockets and a lot of funky additions, as part of his everyday wear.

She’s the only prominent woman in the lead cast, but we were sure we wanted her to look strong and capable as a wrestler. She works as a delivery person in the film, but we wanted to give her a muscular appeal, as though she could take on any man inside the ring, even if they were twice her size. The film is set in Fort Kochi and Mattanchery, a place that’s not too far away from the shipyard and the docks, so we felt she could easily source the overalls or the jumpsuit that men wear while working. That’s the reference we had, and she was able to pull it off super well.

Now, for Kadal Komban, we could have used ideas from a character like Big Show from WWE. But we thought of it differently. Ronex Xavier, the make-up artist, had already imagined his hairstyle and a certain appearance, and then I wanted to give it my spin. So, for him, we borrowed elements from the Thrissur Pooram to give his costume that festive, loud look. Inspired by the Puli Kali, we had perceived a look that would play up his belly. We created detailed sketches, several trials, and errors to get the final look. We needed to make sure they were able to stay in costume for long stretches. It's also important to note that they come from humble backgrounds; it’s not like they could afford expensive fabric. We then went ahead and made some of their costumes with rexine, knowing very well how hot it can get. But they never complained about it!

Because of his height, we could go all out with his styling. It could be fancy and flashy, and it would look great on him. We had also used colours on him that would pop, like yellows, oranges and bright blues. We wrote his title and got it printed and attached to his clothes, too. It was magical to see his character come alive in his costume.

As his name suggests, he’s not a person who has only lived in Kerala all his life. He hails from Delhi, so we didn't have to force a Malayali angle for his costume. We could go all out and make him look as Western or as different from the others, without any limitations. And as he, too, had worked on his body, we knew we could pull it off when he revealed his six-pack in the film. Jeff Hardy was one of the inspirations for his look!

How To 'Malayalify' Shawn Michaels: 'Chatha Pacha' Costume Designer Melwy F On Bringing His Crazy Wrestling Outfit Ideas To Life 


Actor Margot Robbie wore the Taj Mahal diamond necklace at the Los Angeles premiere of 

 on January 28, 2026. The premiere was held at the TCL Chinese Theatre and marked the start of global promotions for the film, directed by Emerald Fennell.

Robbie, who plays Catherine Earnshaw in the new adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel, paired the historic necklace with a Schiaparelli couture gown. The necklace is a heart-shaped, table-cut diamond mounted on a gold-and-ruby Cartier chain.

The Taj Mahal diamond is believed to date back to the Mughal era. Jewellery historians associate the diamond with Emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal, for whom the Taj Mahal was built. The diamond bears a Parsi inscription reading “Love is Everlasting” and has long been linked to Mughal royalty. It later entered modern history through French luxury house Cartier.

Cartier acquired the diamond in 1971 and remounted it into its present necklace design. In 1972, the piece was purchased by actor Richard Burton as a gift for Elizabeth Taylor, becoming closely associated with her jewellery collection. The necklace has since been valued at approximately $8 million.

Speaking briefly on the red carpet, Robbie said the necklace carried “a lot of romantic history” and felt appropriate for the occasion. Since the film is based on one of the most popular romance dramas, the connection was obvious. 

The appearance marked one of Robbie’s first major red carpet outings for the film and drew attention due to the historical and cultural significance of the jewellery worn.

 is the latest screen adaptation of Brontë’s only novel, 

initially published in 1847. It tells the tragic, passionate story of Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, an orphaned young boy taken in by Catherine's family. The film 

stars Robbie alongside Jacob Elordi. The film is scheduled for theatrical release in India on February 13.

Margot Robbie Wears Taj Mahal Diamond Necklace at 'Wuthering Heights' LA Premiere

An outpouring of support, nuance and good vibes from his musical peers has met 

's recent decision to retire from playback singing. The 38-year-old sensation shocked legions of fans earlier this week when he announced he was calling it quits as a film vocalist. Considered by many as the leading vocalist of his generation, with more than 700 film credits across industries and languages, Arijit, in a frank and forthright social media post, explained his move, citing creative boredom and restlessness as his primary motives. The singer, however, affirmed his intention to continue his creative journey in other forms, perhaps as a composer, music producer, as per industry speculation, a film director. 

There is no clean exit date for an artist as prolific as Singh. As he reiterated in his post, he has several pending engagements to deliver on, so fans will continue to get new release in the weeks and months to come. Singh has voiced 'Matribhumi', a stirring patriotic number in the forthcoming 

 starring Salman Khan. Another track, the soulful, aching 'Hum To Tere Hi Liye The', was recently released, and will feature in Vishal Bhardwaj and Shahid Kapoor's action romanc

Even as Singh intends to return to his indie roots, while also immersing himself in Indian classical music, there are other creative avenues opening up. In 2025, Singh was announced as the director for an upcoming adventure film produced by Mahavir Jain. 

According to recent reports, the film, a 'jungle adventure', will star Arijit's own son along with Nawazuddin Siddiqui's daughter Shora Siddiqui, who is 15 and currently studying in London. Arijit's wife, Koel Singh, has co-produced and co-written the film with him. Singh had previously directed the 2018 Bengali film 

, about a young boy's relationship with music and silence. 

Singh stunned the world on January 27 with a social media post revealing that he would no longer accept new assignments as a film playback vocalist, describing his years in the industry as a “wonderful journey” and signalling a shift toward more independent creative pursuits. His Instagram post sparked widespread conversations, with many from the music industry sharing their perspectives on the subject. Several leading musicians shared nuanced and encouraging takes, commending Arijit for his step towards a broader evolution. 

Veteran singer Chinmayi Sripaada responded with deep admiration for Arijit’s artistic integrity. On her X (formerly Twitter) account, she reflected on their early collaborations long before 'Tum Hi Ho' made Arijit a household name and described him as one of her favourite musicians and “one of the finest, spiritually evolved human beings” she has worked with. She suggested that his decision to step away from playback singing flows from a “higher calling” — hinting that his future musical directions may be profoundly personal and not merely career-driven.

Shreya Ghoshal framed Arijit’s retirement from playback not as an 'end of an era' but as the beginning of a new artistic chapter. In a comment responding to his social media post, she praised his creativity and expressed excitement about what he might produce next, noting that an artist of his calibre defies being boxed into traditional formats or formulas. 

Singer-composer Sona Mohapatra offered one of the most extensive reactions among peers, describing Arijit’s choice as “disruptive in the best way" for the industry. In an Instagram note, she positioned the move toward independence as not just brave but generative — freeing him to explore his own music on his own terms and helping to “create space” in a system often dominated by a narrow set of voices. 

"Let's be honest this industry thrives on zero-risk formulas. Producers overuse one voice, don't pay demo singers at all, avoid paying most established ones too with the carrot of 'opportunity' even after two decades of being around, try 10 voices, killing the music director in the exhausting process & then record Arijit and everyone keep an exploitative cycle alive because it's convenient. Not because it's right," Mohapatra wrote, praising Arijit for his bravery and generosity.

Legendary veteran Udit Narayan also welcomed Singh’s decision with warmth and respect, emphasising the vast body of work Arijit has built in a relatively short period. In interviews circulating on social media and in news reports, he noted that although Arijit may be retiring from traditional playback assignments, he is not leaving music — and that his songs will remain “etched in people’s hearts.” 

Composer Toshi Sabri also commented on his retirement, saying that his decision has come as a shock, and is a massive disappointment for composers. "Many composers often create something keeping Arijit’s vocals in their minds," said Sabri. "Some songs are such that they cannot be big without Arijit’s voice." The sibling duo Sharib-Toshi has composed many of Singh's hits, such as 'Bandeya' and 'Saanson Ko'.

Outpouring of Support for Arijit Singh as Singer Retires from Playback Career; Directorial Debut On Cards 

Raj B Shetty is back in the theatres, and this time as a maverick cop with a few tricks up his sleeve in the upcoming Kannada movie 

The film's trailer, which was recently released by the makers, introduces Shetty as a troubled cop who is never seen without his bottle. What happens when he has to solve a knotty murder under the pump? This forms the basis of the Kannada film, which also explores certain supernatural elements. 

Ravi Saranga and also stars Swathishta Krishnan and Archana Kottige. Shetty was last seen in 

, a recently released Kannada film co-starring Vijaya Kumar. Earlier last year, Shetty produced and acted in the blockbuster Kannada comedy 

, the actor-filmmaker spoke about why he could never direct stars. 

“I can’t direct stars because I can’t wait for their dates. It’s such a painful process for me. Cinema has been very personal, but the moment it becomes about waiting for someone, I feel shackled.”

For Shetty, filmmaking has never been about scale or celebrity. “I don’t mind making small films. I don’t mind casting new actors. It’s not about the money. For a middle-class person from Mangalore, even doing films is a luxury.” It’s this mindset that drives his production house, Lighter Buddha Films- a space built on collaboration, experimentation, and a deep belief in storytelling over stardom

 is consciously focused on giving emerging talent the support they need. “Even in lighter films, we want to produce projects for new people. We want to supervise, guide, and ensure the best results. We want young filmmakers to believe that if they make good cinema, audiences will come.”

'Rakkasapuradhol' Trailer: Raj B Shetty Is A Maverick Cop In This Murder Mystery

 is set to return to theatres with a new, as-yet-untitled film exploring themes of love, longing, and emotional belonging. The film, written and directed by Ali, is currently in post-production and is scheduled for a nationwide theatrical release on June 12, 2026. 

The cast brings together Diljit Dosanjh, Vedang Raina, Sharvari, and veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah, spanning generations of performers. 

The film also reunites the legendary trio of composer A.R. Rahman, lyricist Irshad Kamil, and director Imtiaz Ali—who have previously collaborated on acclaimed titles like 

The upcoming film is backed by Applause Entertainment, Window Seat Films, and Mohit Choudhary, marking another collaboration between Ali and producers known for character-driven, mainstream storytelling. While plot details are being kept under wraps, the film is described as a contemporary narrative that examines human connection with wit and emotional depth.

Speaking about the emotional core of the project, Ali had earlier said: "Can love really be lost? Can home be taken away from someone’s heart? This film has a big heart. It has a large canvas yet is very personal. It is a story of a boy and a girl, but also a country.”

This is the first time that Ali is working with Naseeruddin, Vedang (last seen in Alia Bhatt-starrer 

) and Sharvari. He had previously teamed up with Diljit for 

. The 2024 Netflix release was among the most acclaimed Hindi films of that year. 

Apart from this, Ali also serves as the creator, writer, and showrunner of the forthcoming Netflix series 

. Billed as a 'captivating exploration of contemporary human emotions', the romantic series features actors Aditi Rao Hydari, Avinash Tiwary and Arjun Rampal. Filmmaker Arif Ali, who previously directed the Netflix series 

Imtiaz Ali’s Next Starring Diljit Dosanjh, Vedang Raina and Sharvari Gets Release Date 

What—and how much—did India watch in 2025? A lot. India’s streaming market closed the year with scale, clarity, and a clear hierarchy as the top 10 featured a diverse mix of critically acclaimed titles, 

According to Ormax Media’s Top 50 Streaming Originals in India: The 2025 Story, the year’s most-watched streaming originals together amassed over 654 million views, with key insights into what exactly worked and how each streaming giant followed a peculiar story.

That headline number was powered overwhelmingly by familiar IPs. Across platforms, returning seasons dominated the upper end of the charts, while new originals struggled to break through unless backed by strong branding or star value. 

According to the report, the rankings are based on weekly primary audience research conducted across India. 

"Our viewership estimates (reported in millions) are a measure of the number of individuals who watched the property for at least 30 minutes. They do not reflect the number of OTT accounts used, but rather the actual number of viewers. For example, if three family members or two friends watch together on a single account, they are counted as three and two unique viewers, respectively," the report stated.

The top of India’s streaming charts in 2025 was dominated by established franchises and returning seasons. JioHotstar led from the front, claiming the top two positions with 

, which emerged as the year’s most-watched streaming originals. 

topped the list with 29.6 million, followed closely by 

Close behind was Amazon MX Player’s tentpole hit 

, which secured third place with 27.1 million, reaffirming the franchise’s enduring mass appeal. Prime Video followed with a strong showing, placing 

at fifth with 23.8 million, reinforcing the platform's reputation for consistent, franchise-led performance.

Reality content continued to deliver scale, with Salman Khan-hosted 

taking sixth place at 20 million viewers on JioHotstar. Prime Video returned to the list at seventh with the acclaimed 

Netflix’s presence in the Top 10 came via three titles: 

at eighth with 16.7 million viewers, followed by global juggernauts 

a big winner is that the Aryan Khan directorial is the only non-franchise Indian original in the Top 10, sitting comfortably above global hits like 

However, since the last two are international titles, once those heavyweights are removed from the equation, the Top 10 reshuffles slightly but remains firmly franchise-driven. Without 

JioHotstar’s animated mythology series 

enters the list at ninth with 16.2 million, while Netflix’s 

closes out the Top 10 at tenth with 15.5 million.

At the very top end of the 2025 streaming charts, only three titles crossed the 25-million mark: 

Special Ops S2, Criminal Justice: A Family Matter 

All three were returning franchises, and together they formed a clear upper tier that no other title managed to breach.

The next band widens slightly. Six titles managed to hit or cross the 20-million mark, adding 

The Family Man S3, Panchayat S4 and Bigg Boss (Hindi, S19) 

to the three leaders. Notably, this group was also dominated by long-running, culturally entrenched IPs.

The widest cluster emerged at the 15-million threshold, indicating where the real volume of "hits" now sits. Alongside the six above 20 million performers, this group included 

Paatal Lok S2, The Ba***ds of Bollywood, Squid Game S3, Stranger Things S5

Streaming films continued to trail series in overall traction in 2025, but a small clutch of titles still managed to break through. Netflix dominated the streaming films conversation, placing five of the six most-watched titles of the year and occupying the top two positions outright.

(rank 15), which emerged as the most-watched streaming film of 2025 with 13.1 million viewers on Netflix. Close behind was another Netflix release,

(rank 20), which drew 12.1 million viewers, reinforcing the platform’s strong grip over the direct-to-digital film space. 

The only non-Netflix entry in the top three came from JioHotstar, where Ibrahim Ali Khan-led 

(rank 23) secured third place with 11.5 million. 

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‘Freedom at Midnight’: SonyLIV Locks January Release For Season 2 of Nikkhil Advani's Political Thriller

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