Applause Entertainment’s new project “Nyaya” and their diverse future slate for expansion.
Applause Entertainment, an Indian studio under the Aditya Birla Group, is setting the stage for an ambitious array of projects as it marks its eighth year of operations. The studio, led by managing director Sameer Nair, is renowned for pushing boundaries in Indian television and film, and now has its sights on expanding into new genres and formats while building on its established successes.
One of the most anticipated upcoming projects is “Nyaya,” a courtroom drama produced in collaboration with Mangata Films. The series is directed by Nitya Mehra, Karan Kapadia, and Heeraz Marfatia and tells the gripping story of a 17-year-old girl who seeks justice after being raped by a powerful religious cult leader. Based on real events, “Nyaya” promises to offer a raw and authentic portrayal of the criminal justice system in action. The series features a strong ensemble cast, including Fatima Sana Sheikh, Aneet Padda, Arjun Mathur, Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub, and Raghubir Yadav. Nair expressed his excitement about the project, particularly praising Aneet Padda’s performance as the victim. “They shot it really well,” Nair told Variety, emphasizing the show’s procedural nature and its focus on the complexities of the legal process.
Beyond “Nyaya,” Applause Entertainment’s upcoming slate is diverse and ambitious. “Black Warrant,” a film directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, is based on a bestselling insider account of Delhi’s Tihar Jail, promising a gritty and unflinching look at one of India’s most notorious prisons. Meanwhile, the studio’s prestige project “Gandhi,” a series about Mahatma Gandhi based on the books by historian Ramachandra Guha, is set to star Pratik Gandhi and will be directed by Hansal Mehta. The series aims to provide a nuanced portrayal of Gandhi’s life and legacy, reflecting Applause’s focus on contemporary history and nation-building narratives.
Applause is also venturing into documentary territory with “Modern Masters,” a series that profiles influential figures in Indian culture. The first episode, featuring “RRR” director S.S. Rajamouli, is now streaming on Netflix. Another high-profile documentary series in the works is “Assassins – The Hunt for Rajiv Gandhi’s Killers,” a crime procedural directed by Nagesh Kukunoor that delves into the aftermath of the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
The studio is also working on an adaptation of the A+E Networks’ Peabody-winning series “UnREAL,” which explores the behind-the-scenes drama of a reality television show. Filming for the adaptation has recently wrapped, and the show is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the Indian streaming landscape.
In addition to these new projects, Applause Entertainment is also returning to familiar ground with new seasons of several of its popular series. These include “Criminal Justice,” “Tanaav,” “City of Dreams,” and “Undekhi,” all of which have garnered significant acclaim and viewer loyalty. The success of these shows underscores Applause’s ability to balance fresh, innovative content with the demands of an evolving audience.
Reflecting on the studio’s journey over the past seven years, Nair emphasized the importance of variety in their content strategy. “Our big primary driver is entertainment, and in that entertainment space to create a lot of variety,” he said. This philosophy has guided Applause’s approach to content creation, resulting in a portfolio that spans a wide range of genres and formats.
Looking ahead, Nair sees significant opportunities for growth in the streaming market. He predicts that while niche offerings will continue to thrive, there will also be a shift towards more mass-appeal content. “The first seven years, the streaming market was more of the upper, premium kind of audience. In the next seven years, this is going to go wider,” Nair said. He expects to see more “massy, soapier kind of content” on streaming platforms, which he views as a positive development as it reflects the broader and more diverse audience that streaming has begun to attract.
In response to these changes, Applause is adapting its strategy to develop long-form content and explore new genres. The studio is venturing into young adult romantic sagas and is even considering shorter versions of daily soaps, albeit with higher production values. Additionally, Applause is expanding into unscripted content, with plans to develop game shows and comedy setups. Nair also expressed a keen interest in food-related programming, signaling the studio’s intent to diversify its offerings even further.
International collaborations are another key area of focus for Applause. The studio recently completed shooting on “Apex,” a crime procedural developed with Simon Mirren, co-creator of “Criminal Minds,” and his production partner Benjamin Anderson. Applause is also in development deals with U.S.-based firms, exploring co-development opportunities rather than simple format acquisitions. This approach allows for greater creative input and collaboration, positioning Applause to make a mark on the global stage.
In the film space, Applause has already garnered attention with projects like “The Rapist,” directed by Aparna Sen and starring Konkona Sen Sharma. The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival and won the prestigious Kim Jiseok Award in 2021. Another recent film, “Zwigato,” directed by Nandita Das and starring Kapil Sharma, also made its mark at international festivals, including Toronto and Busan. Tahira Kashyap Khurrana’s “Sharmajee Ki Beti,” which premiered on Prime Video in June, further showcases Applause’s commitment to producing high-quality cinematic content.
Looking to the future, Applause is aiming to grow into a major movie studio capable of producing theatrical releases with strong streaming potential. The upcoming Tamil-language film “Bison,” directed by Mari Selvaraj and starring Dhruv Vikram, is one such project that highlights the studio’s ambitions in the film industry.
As Applause enters its eighth year, Nair is optimistic about the studio’s future. He highlighted the importance of profitability alongside creative success, noting that the studio’s business model, which involves licensing content to platforms for multi-year periods, has been mutually beneficial. This approach allows Applause to handle early development while giving platforms the option to provide input before production begins, creating a collaborative environment that benefits all parties involved.
“We really want to grow into the big movie studio which does theatrical movies with streaming in place,” Nair said. “What we’ve done is we’ve built up a really good network of creators and producers and platforms that we work with. What we want to do is to use what we’ve built as a springboard to really bloom out now.”
As Applause Entertainment embarks on its next seven years, the studio is poised to continue its legacy of innovation and excellence in Indian entertainment, with a renewed focus on profitability and collaboration.
