As a seasoned cinephile with years of immersion in the rich tapestry of Indian cinema, I find the discourse between Manish Menghani, Nikkhil Advani, and Richie Mehta at India’s Film Bazaar particularly enlightening. The transformation of the streaming landscape since Prime Video’s 2016 debut, as highlighted by Menghani, is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of our industry in the face of technological advancements.


During a panel at India’s Film Bazaar, Prime Video India’s content licensing head Manish Menghani and filmmaker Nikkhil Advani (“Freedom at Midnight”) discussed the evolving landscape of streaming content development in India, with “Delhi Crime” creator Richie Mehta moderating.

Menghani examined how the Indian streaming market has evolved since Prime Video’s 2016 debut, highlighting COVID-19 as a significant turning point. He remarked that the preferences of viewers in this nation for entertainment have undergone a dramatic shift. Approximately 60% of our consumers now enjoy content in four or more languages, Menghani pointed out, adding that more than half of the content consumed on our platform is not in the primary language of our viewers.

For creators presenting their ideas, Menghani stressed the importance of both face-to-face meetings and written material. While discussions aid in articulating one’s vision, the real action begins on paper. He highlighted that the platform not only considers pitches or star associations but rather focuses on the story itself.

Advani opened up about his shift from cinema to streaming, starting with the popular series “P.O.W.” that aired on Star Plus and garnered a significant viewership on Disney+ Hotstar. He reminisced about the early days of streaming platforms when they were eagerly trying to attract renowned filmmakers by saying, “The initial approach in all these services was how we can bring on board the biggest filmmakers.

As a passionate movie reviewer, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the creative process behind Amazon Prime Video’s original productions. Unlike other platforms, they prioritize the creator’s unique vision, offering constructive feedback that can be accepted or discarded at will. This approach, as confirmed by the team, showcases their commitment to the project – I find it refreshing when creators are met with genuine investment rather than empty compliments. After all, I too appreciate honest feedback; it’s those who simply say “fantastic” without offering insights that make me feel a tad suspicious.

Addressing aspiring filmmakers, Menghani recommends coming up with unique ideas instead of following trends. He further highlights that the budget should not be the main focus when presenting a pitch, as success or failure has never been linked to the amount of funds spent.

Mehta disclosed that the projects undergo a thorough examination process, as some of the development discussions may include around thirty to forty individuals in virtual meetings.

Manghani argued that data does not dictate creative choices, stating emphatically, “Anyone here who claims they can analyze data and predict whether an idea will succeed or fail is being dishonest.

From November 20th to 24th, Film Bazaar serves as the market sector of the annual International Film Festival of India (IFFI), which takes place from November 20th to 28th in Goa.

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2024-11-23 05:16