As 2024 comes to a close, here’s a list of the biggest newsmakers from the OTT world this year, including IC 814, Heeramandi, Gyaarah Gyaarah and Ananya Panday

The year 2024 saw a lot of highs and lows on OTT, which included Ananya Panday getting a new lease in her career with Call Me Bae and CTRL, to projects like IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack and Maharaj landing in legal trouble. Before the year ends, here is a list of all things that made headlines in the web world this year:

What’s in a name? Apparently, a lot
Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha’s debut OTT directorial series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack was highly praised. But it also came under the limelight for the names of the five terrorists in the real-life inspired story. The show was accused of ‘whitewashing’ the events leading to the hijack. Netflix agreed to update the series’ disclaimer to mention the real names of the hijackers after the Information and Broadcasting Ministry met them over the allegations of misrepresentation of facts.

All that three seconds can do
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale, the documentary on the eponymous actor got marred with controversy as its teaser featured three-seconds of BTS footage from Naanum Rowdy Dhaan (2015). Actor-filmmaker Dhanush, who backed the film, sued Nayanthara for the usage of the footage without permission, after she issued an open letter on Instagram slamming him for using his power against her and her husband, Vignesh Shivan.

The religious dilemma
Actor Aamir Khan’s son Junaid Khan’s debut film, Maharaj, made its way direct-to-OTT, without any promotion before the release. However, even with no marketing, Maharaj’s release was initially halted by the Gujarat High Court after a petition from members of the Vaishnavite Pustimargi sect raised concerns about the film’s depiction of their religious beliefs. The High Court eventually lifted the stay, allowing the film to be released on Netflix on June 21, a week after the initial planned release, asserting that the film did not target the sect as alleged.

The Diamond Bazaar went global
Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali entered the OTT space with Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, and the series earned global acclaim. It even ended up in the Top 5 most searched shows on Google worldwide in the year-end list. The series had its premiere in Los Angeles, US ahead of its May 1 release. However, it also brought in a considerable amount of trolling for actor Sharmin Segal for her acting, expressions as well as her behaviour towards her castmates during the interviews.

No place on OTT for Ekam
Actor-filmmaker Rakshit Shetty had to release his web series Ekam on his own platform after there were ‘no takers’ on other streaming giants for his show. Shetty took to X to shed light on the whole issue, and post that, several Kannada filmmakers also called out Kannada content not being getting any takers on OTT.

A reinvention for Ananya
Actor Ananya Panday had a reinvention of sorts this year thanks to the OTT platform. She first made her series debut with Call Me Bae, playing a rich spoilt brat who is left to fend for her own in Mumbai after she is exiled from her rich family. While she was garnering praise for it, she showed an intense performance just within a month as she was part of filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane’s cyberthriller, CTRL.

Entering the OTT game
India’s public broadcaster, Doordarshan, announced its entry into the OTT space in November, as they unveiled their free platform Waves at the International Film Festival of India. The platform offers content in 12+ Languages amd across 10+ Genres of Infotainment. It provides Video on demand, free-to-play gaming, Radio streaming, Live TV streaming, 65 live Channels, several App in App integrations for video and gaming content, and online shopping through Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) supported e-commerce platform.

A musical comeback for Imtiaz
Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali’s last few directorial outings hadn’t performed well commercially and critiically, including Love Aaj Kal (2020) and Jab Harry Met Sejal (2017). However, as there were doubts looming over his prowess, the filmmaker made a smashing comeback on OTT with his directorial, Amar Singh Chamkila. The film based on the eponymous artiste, featured actors Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra, was a big success and catapulted the trajectory of all three of them to newer heights.

A new venture for Kriti
Actor Kriti Sanon started on a new adventure as she turned producer with the film Do Patti. Released in October, it featured her in a double role alongside actors Kajol and Shaheer Sheikh. While the film received mixed reviews, Sanon’s performance was praised and so was her intense portrayal of domestic violence on screen.

The curious case of Kapil Sharma’s show
As the end of the first season of The Great Indian Kapil Show was announced in the first half of the year, there were reports stating that the show was axed due to low viewership. However, the team denied the rumours saying that it was meant to be just a limited episodes first season. Quashing the rumours further, it returned with a second season just a few months later in September.

Start of a new collaboration
Filmmaker Karan Johar and producer Guneet Monga Kapoor joined hands to bring some edgy content to screen, and within a span of two months, they released two projects this year. While their big screen outing Kill received unanimous acclaim, on OTT too, they started the journey on a high withh Zee5’s Gyaarah Gyaarah, which became the most-watched series on the platform, featuring actors Raghav Juyal, Kritika Kamra and Dhairya Karwa.

Group Media Publications
Entertainment News Platforms – anyflix.in
Construction Infrastructure and Mining News Platform – https://cimreviews.com/
General News Platform – https://ihtlive.com/

Samantha Ruth Prabhu begged Raj & DK to let her leave Citadel Honey Bunny; sent Kriti Sanon, Kiara Advani’s pictures

Samantha Ruth Prabhu felt that she would be unable to do justice to Citadel: Honey Bunny because of her health struggles.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu has transformed into an action star, first in part with her Telugu film Yashoda and now fully with the Amazon Prime Video series Citadel: Honey Bunny. The Raj & DK series features her as a spy and sees the actor perform many fight sequences. In a recent interview, Samantha opened up on how she shot the series while battling myositis and even begged the makers to replace her. (Also read: Varun Dhawan reveals he panicked, called for ‘pack up’ when Samantha Ruth Prabhu collapsed on Citadel: Honey Bunny set)

Samantha on wanting to leave Citadel Honey Bunny
In a conversation with Galatta India, Samantha revealed that while she was initially excited to come on board Honey Bunny, she later felt she wouldn’t be able to do it. “I didn’t think that a few months later, I would request Raj & DK to choose another heroine because it was not possible. I believe I couldn’t do it because of the circumstances I was in,” she said. Myositis, an autoimmune disorder, took a toll on Samantha’s health, requiring hospitalisation.

The actor said she suggested names of other actors to the series directors Raj & DK, but they did not budge. “I actually sent them Kiara’s pictures and Kriti’s pictures. I remember sending four to them, saying ‘Oh my God, she is so hot. Just look at her. She will be amazing doing action. Please, I can’t do it,” said Samantha, adding, “They said we know them. You don’t have to introduce us to them. We know who they are.”

All about Citadel Honey Bunny
In the end, Samantha did finish Citadel: Honey Bunny, which also stars Varun Dhawan, Kay Kay Menon, and Saqib Saleem. The thriller is a prequel to the Russo Brothers’ Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden-starrer Citadel. It began streaming on Amazon Prime Video last month and was trending as the number one show on the platform globally in its first week. Samantha’s performance received praise from critics and fans.

Group Media Publications
Entertainment News Platforms – anyflix.in
Construction Infrastructure and Mining News Platform – https://cimreviews.com/
General News Platform – https://ihtlive.com/

Actor Jung Woo Sung confirms 1st major public appearance amid Moon Ga Bi controversy
Jung Woo Sung will still be attending the Blue Dragon Awards scheuled for this week despite an emerging controversy surrounding his paternity.

Actor Jung Woo Sung, agency, Artist Company confirmed on Monday that he would be attending the upcoming 45th Blue Dragon Awards ceremony this week. The prestigious event that annually honours greats from the South Korean film industry is scheduled to be held on November 29 at KBS Hall in Seoul. The veteran critically acclaimed actor is nominated in the Best Actor category for 12.12: The Day. Having already earned the stature as one of the highest-grossing Korean films of all time, the 2023 film earned several nods across other categories as well.

Jung Woo Sung’s company responds to reports of his paternity reports
The company’s official confirmation regarding its artist’s attendance came shortly after it was reported that the actor in his 50s is the biological father of Moon Ga Bi’s son, who was born in March. The Korean model is in her 30s. Hours before Artist Company assured that the Tell Me That You Love Me actor would still be attending the Blue Dragon Awards, South Korean outlet TENASIA reported that he has been dating a non-celebrity for more than a year. Consequently, the agency released another statement: “The child shared by Moon Ga Bi on social media is indeed Jung Woo Sung’s biological son. Discussions are ongoing regarding the best way to handle the child’s upbringing. Jung Woo Sung is committed to taking full responsibility for his child.”

Meanwhile, addressing reports about his relationship status, the label stated, “We ask for your understanding that we cannot confirm details regarding the actor’s private life, and we request that excessive speculation be avoided.”

Regardless of these explanations, K-entertainment enthusiasts launched a fiery debate surrounding Jung Woo Sung’s paternity confirmation and romantic controversy.

Jung Woo Sung and Moon Ga Bi’s ties explored
As for Moon’s response to the issue, she wrote on social media, “When I received this unexpected news, I was unprepared. Instead of fully celebrating the joy of pregnancy, I chose to spend most of my pregnancy quietly with my family’s blessings. That decision was made solely for the sake of the child I was carrying.” As per her Instagram activity, Ga Bi appeared to have been on an SNS hiatus. Her latest post about her pregnancy was shared days ago, two years following the post before that.

Jung Woo Sung and Moon Ga Bi reportedly crossed paths for the first time in 20222, resulting in their eventual romantic entanglement. Multiple reports suggest that Moon told Jung about her pregnancy later that year, and the actor positively responded by taking responsibility for raising the child. On the other hand, the South Korean movie star has persistently retained his take against getting married, which is believed to have led to some tensions between him and the model.

(Korean to English translation: AllKpop)

Group Media Publications
Entertainment News Platforms – anyflix.in
Construction Infrastructure and Mining News Platform – https://cimreviews.com/
General News Platform – https://ihtlive.com/