Applause Joins Hands with Imtiaz Ali, Kabir Khan for Films!
Applause expands into cinema with major directors, continues OTT focus.
Applause Entertainment, the content studio behind hit OTT series like Scam 1992, Criminal Justice, and Black Warrant, is set to make a bold foray into theatrical films, collaborating with acclaimed directors Imtiaz Ali and Kabir Khan. Managing Director Sameer Nair, in an exclusive interview with PTI, outlined the studio’s ambitious plans to become one of India’s largest film studios while continuing to produce high-quality streaming content.
Celebrating eight years in the industry, Applause has delivered 60 OTT shows and several films, including Do Aur Do Pyaar (starring Vidya Balan), Zwigato (featuring Kapil Sharma), and Sharmajee Ki Beti (directed by Tahira Kashyap Khurrana). Nair emphasized the studio’s “invest and reinvest” model, which fuels its expansion into theatrical releases. “We would like to be regarded as one of India’s largest content producers for series and become a leading film studio,” he said.
Among the upcoming projects, Applause is producing a romantic drama with Imtiaz Ali, featuring Diljit Dosanjh, Vedang Raina, and Sharvari, promising Ali’s signature heartfelt storytelling. Additionally, the studio is working on two films with Kabir Khan, including a sports drama based on a true story. Nair also revealed a Tamil film, Bison, directed by Mari Selvaraj and produced by Pa Ranjith, set for release during Diwali.
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On the OTT front, Applause is preparing new seasons of Black Warrant, Criminal Justice, Scam, and Undekhi. The third season of Scam will explore the life of businessman Subrata Roy, described by Nair as a “celebratory yet cautionary tale.” Other projects include a series directed by Nitya Mehra, starring Aneet Padda, and a documentary on Salman Khan, nearing completion.
Reflecting on past projects, Nair acknowledged the mixed reception to Hasmukh (starring Vir Das) and Rudra (led by Ajay Devgn). While Hasmukh struggled due to audience expectations, Rudra performed well but faced economic challenges. Nevertheless, Criminal Justice remains a flagship, being the first Indian streaming show to reach its fourth season, while Scam and Undekhi have solidified Applause’s reputation.
With a robust pipeline of films and series, Applause Entertainment is poised to redefine Indian content creation, blending cinematic ambition with its OTT legacy.
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