STREAMING SUCCESS
Netflix leads the pack with two nominations as India’s streaming platforms gear up for the Best Web Series Award at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The category, which returns for its sophomore year, has witnessed a robust 40% increase in submissions across 10 major streaming platforms.
Netflix’s dual contenders include “Kota Factory,” Saurabh Khanna’s examination of India’s pressure-cooker academic coaching culture, and “Kala Pani,” a survival drama from creators Sameer Saxena and Amit Golani set against the backdrop of the Andaman Islands.
Prime Video enters the race with Vikramaditya Motwane’s “Jubilee,” a period piece chronicling the golden age of Indian cinema, while ZEE5 brings Muthukumar’s “Ayali,” a contemporary drama exploring women’s lives in traditional society. Rounding out the nominations is SonyLIV‘s “Lampan,” Nipun Dharmadhikari’s rural coming-of-age narrative.
MUSCLE MAN
Producer Sajid Nadiadwala has slated actioner “Baaghi 4” for a Sept. 5, 2025 release, with Tiger Shroff returning to lead the franchise’s fourth instalment. The project marks helmer A. Harsha‘s (“Bajrangi,” “Veda”) entry into the series. The “Baaghi” franchise has collected $60 million worldwide across three pics, with Shroff becoming one of Bollywood’s youngest stars to headline a quadrilogy.
The film kicks off a banner year for Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment‘s 75th anniversary slate, which includes Salman Khan-starrer “Sikandar,” ensemble comedy “Housefull 5” and Vishal Bhardwaj’s untitled feature with Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri.
Production commenced this week.
POLITICAL POWERPLAY
Kangana Ranaut‘s “Emergency,” depicting India’s 1970s political upheaval, will finally bow Jan. 17, 2025 in theaters following a long drawn out censor board approval process. Ranaut pulls triple duty as writer-director-star, portraying former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the political drama. The cast includes Anupam Kher, Mahima Chaudhary, Milind Soman and marks one of the final appearances of the late Satish Kaushik. Zee Studios and Manikarnika Films produce alongside Renu Pitti, with score by Sanchit Balhara and G.V. Prakash Kumar. Ritesh Shah co-wrote the film.
