As I delve deeper into the captivating world of Indian media and entertainment, I find myself in awe of the phenomenal journey embarked upon by Sameer Nair and his team at Applause Entertainment. With a rich tapestry of experience spanning across various prestigious media giants, it’s no wonder that this visionary is steering the ship with such finesse and determination.
As I embark on my eighth year with Applause Entertainment, I can’t help but feel the excitement brewing! We’re not just stepping into another year, we’re diving headfirst into a thrilling lineup of projects that are truly ambitious in scope. I can hardly wait to see what the future holds for us!
Under the guidance of managing director Sameer Nair, who boasts a rich background in Indian television having worked at Star TV, NDTV Imagine, Turner General Entertainment, Balaji Telefilms, the company aims to broaden its horizons by exploring new genres and formats, all while capitalizing on its existing accomplishments.
spearheading the production is “Nyaya,” a courtroom drama co-produced with Mangata Films. At the helm of this project are directors Nitya Mehra, Karan Kapadia, and Heeraz Marfatia. This fictional series revolves around a 17-year-old girl who fights for justice against a powerful religious leader accused of rape. The show boasts an impressive ensemble cast including Fatima Sana Sheikh, Aneet Padda, Arjun Mathur, Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub and Raghubir Yadav.
“Nair expressed that when this chance arrived, we seized it eagerly,” Nair said to EbMaster. “They’ve handled it exceptionally well.” He highlighted the show’s focus on the intricate workings of the criminal justice system and commended Aneet Padda’s (from Prime Video’s “Big Girls Don’t Cry”) portrayal of the victim, particularly noting its authenticity.
The lineup for upcoming releases by Applause promises both variety and ambition. A project titled “Black Warrant,” inspired by a top-selling book about Delhi’s Tihar Prison, is helmed by Vikramaditya Motwane. In another venture, the series “Gandhi” delves into the life of Mahatma Gandhi based on Ramachandra Guha’s literature, featuring Pratik Gandhi and directed by Hansal Mehta. The first episode of the documentary series “Modern Masters,” showcasing interviews with S.S. Rajamouli from “RRR,” is now available on Netflix. Meanwhile, “Assassins – The Hunt for Rajiv Gandhi’s Killers” follows a crime investigation and is led by Nagesh Kukunoor. Recently completed filming is underway for an adaptation of A+E Networks’ award-winning series “UnREAL,” exploring the world behind reality shows. Furthermore, Applause is set to resume seasons of popular titles such as “Criminal Justice,” “Tanaav,” “City of Dreams” and “Undekhi.”
Established on August 16, 2017, a division named Applause, part of the massive $65 billion Aditya Birla Group conglomerate, has made its mark over the past seven years with highly praised and well-received series. Some of its notable productions include the “Scam” series for SonyLIV, starting with “Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story” and followed by “Scam 2003: The Telgi Story.” The success of these shows has laid the foundation for a new addition, “Scam 2010: The Subrata Roy Saga.”
“Nair stated that they consistently concentrate on modern history within business, nation development, and crime. Besides ‘Gandhi,’ a project driven by genuine prestige and passion, the other shows aim to portray stories from our recent contemporary history, shaping us into the country we are today. This focus is mirrored in Applause’s partnership with Amar Chitra Katha, a renowned Indian graphic novel label that specializes in comic book adaptations of Indian history.”
Among other notable productions by the company are “Criminal Justice,” “Rudra: On the Brink of Shadows” featuring Ajay Devgn, and “City of Dreams” – all available on Disney+ Hotstar.
Reflecting on our cinematic voyage spanning seven years, I can’t help but ponder over Applause’s unique approach to production. At the heart of it lies an unwavering focus on providing pure, unadulterated entertainment. Within that realm, we strive to offer a rich tapestry of diverse content to keep our audience engaged and satisfied.
Over time, as the streaming industry expands, Nair anticipates potential growth opportunities. He believes that the next seven years will witness a broader reach of this market beyond its initial upscale, premium demographic. While he expects mainstream content to increase, he also sees niche programming continuing side by side. He suggests that in the coming years, we may observe an influx of more mainstream, soap-like content on streaming platforms, which is advantageous because the market and audience have grown significantly.
In response to evolving trends, Applause is modifying its approach by creating extensive content and investigating diverse genres. They’re delving into young adult romantic epics and contemplating abridged renditions of daily soap operas, while maintaining a premium production quality. The studio also aims to branch out into unscripted content, with aspirations for game shows and humorous scenarios. Notably, the CEO, Nair, has shown a keen interest in food-centric programming.
International partnerships are looming as well. Recently, Applause completed filming for “Apex,” a crime drama jointly created with Simon Mirren, the co-creator of “Criminal Minds,” and his production partner Benjamin Anderson. Additionally, our company is engaged in development agreements with U.S. companies. Nair stated, “We’re not just acquiring existing formats; we’re collaboratively developing content. It could be something they’ve previously produced as a comic book or series. We are working together on these projects.”
Last year, the film “The Rapist,” directed by Aparna Sen and starring Konkona Sen Sharma, debuted at the Busan Film Festival and was honored with the esteemed Kim Jiseok Award. More recently, “Zwigato,” helmed by Nandita Das and featuring Kapil Sharma and Shahana Goswami, made its premiere at Toronto and was screened at Busan as well. Additionally, Tahira Kashyap Khurrana’s “Sharmajee Ki Beti” was released on Prime Video in June.
“Nair mentioned that their goal is to expand into a major film studio, producing theatrical movies as well as streaming content. The forthcoming Tamil film ‘Bison,’ directed by Mari Selvaraj and featuring Dhruv Vikram, is part of this expansion effort.”
With regards to their business strategy, Applause consistently grants rights to its content to various platforms over multiple years. Nair considers this method advantageous, enabling the studio to manage the initial stages of development while offering platforms an opportunity to contribute suggestions prior to actual production.
Moving forward, Nair shared Applause’s vision for the upcoming seven years: “I believe we have established a strong network of creators, producers, and platforms that we collaborate with. Our goal is to leverage this foundation to grow significantly. We aim to produce big-budget films, television shows, and foster more collaborative projects.”
As a passionate cinephile, I’m always keen on ensuring that the movies we produce not only delight you but also prove to be financially successful. Profitability, in my opinion, plays a significant role when it comes to building these captivating entertainment brands that we strive to create.
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2024-08-16 09:47