Hindi
‘Rudra: The Edge of Darkness’ was most watched show in 2022: Ormax Media
Mumbai: Ormax Media has recently released a report, “Streaming Originals in India-The 2022 Story.” This report looks at the top original shows and films released in 2022, in Hindi & international languages, in three parameters: viewership, marketing buzz & content strength.
This report focuses only on original content and does not cover other ‘non-original’ content on streaming, such as theatrical films, catch-up television, sports, etc.
Most watched
The category of most-watched Hindi shows is led by Rudra: The Edge of Darkness, which has an estimated viewership of 35.2 million. Disney+ Hotstar takes seven positions in the top 15, followed by Prime Video and MX Player (four shows each).
In the category of most-watched Hindi films, three films—A Thursday, Cuttputlli, and Govinda Naam Mera—all on Disney+ Hotstar—crossed the 24 million Indian viewership mark in 2022. Disney+ Hotstar (seven films), Prime Video, & Netflix (four films each) share the top 15 spots.
Franchise shows, including those from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, dominate the international list, taking each of the top eight positions. Most-watched international shows lead by House Of The Dragon with 28.2 million views.
Most buzzing
Buzz, a score on a 0–100 scale that measures the per cent of the audience who recalled the show or film unaided when asked to recall upcoming or recently-launched streaming shows or films.
In the most-buzzing Hindi show, Panchayat season two (on Prime Video) generated the maximum buzz with 34 per cent, followed by Rudra (on Disney+ Hotstar). Franchise shows take nine out of the top 15 positions on the list.
Most-buzzing Hindi films featuring theatrical stars dominate the list.
Geheraiyaan was the most-buzzing direct-to-OTT Hindi film of 2022, with 25 per cent, by a wide margin.
Most-buzzing international show Stranger Things season four leads the list with a score, recording a higher buzz (26 per cent) than all Hindi series except Panchayat season two and Rudra.
Ormax power rating
Ormax Power Rating (OPR), a score on a 0-100 scale that represents how much a show or a film is liked by its viewers.
In most-liked Hindi shows, Panchayat season two was adored by the audience, with its high OPR of 75 placing it number six on the all-time list, on which The Family Man season two, another Prime Video show, holds the top spot (OPR 85). Sony LIV’s Rocket Boys and Netflix’s Delhi Crime season two take the next two spots.
In the most-liked Hindi film category, A Thursday was loved by the audience with 66 OPR, while Disney+ Hotstar takes three of the top four spots. Netflix dominates the top ten list, with five out of the six positions from number five to number ten.
In terms of most-liked international shows, Stranger Things season four is the second most-liked international show to date (since the start of tracking in 2020) after Money Heist (seasons four & five).
The top 10 list features shows from a variety of genres and languages but is primarily franchise-led.
In the most-liked international films category, The Gray Man, featuring Dhanush in a key role, was the only international direct-to-OTT film to touch the 70 OPR mark in 2022.
Hindi
Kayhan Entertainment shifts focus to original IP creation
New studio founded by VFX veterans aims to build globally scalable Indian stories.
MUMBAI: India’s VFX talent has long helped Hollywood create blockbusters now a new studio wants to write the stories as well as the special effects. Kayhan Entertainment Private Limited is entering its next phase of growth as a next-generation storytelling studio focused on creating original intellectual property for global audiences. Founded by Dalbir Singh and Arushi Govil, the studio blends strong storytelling with world-class VFX and CGI across films, television, advertising and digital platforms.
While India has established itself as a global hub for VFX and animation services, Kayhan is making a strategic shift from pure execution to IP ownership. The studio aims to move beyond project-based work and develop culturally rooted content designed to travel internationally, while remaining open to strategic collaborations.
Dalbir Singh, with over 15 years of experience in VFX and filmmaking, has contributed to major global productions including Avengers: Endgame, Zack Snyder’s Justice League and Venom. He leads creative direction at Kayhan. Arushi Govil brings deep production expertise from leading studios such as MPC, Framestore and DNEG, having worked on Tenet, Mission: Impossible – Fallout and Brahmastra.
A key milestone for the studio was the launch of its first IP, Chote Tara Ka Bada Gadar, on Kids Zee in 2025. Kayhan is now expanding its slate with FAB 5, an original animated series that combines action, humour and emotional storytelling while promoting teamwork, courage and kindness. The fast-paced episodic format is positioned for long-term franchise potential across platforms.
Dalbir Singh, Co-Founder, said the studio’s primary focus is building an IP-led creative enterprise, while remaining open to the right collaborations. Arushi Govil, Co-Founder, added: “As we scale, our focus is on building the right mix of talent and capability… At Kayhan, we are investing in people as much as we are in IP, bringing together global experience and emerging creators to build stories that can compete at an international level.”
Looking ahead, Kayhan plans to evolve into a broader IP-led ecosystem spanning media, consumer products, education, talent development and immersive experiences such as AR and VR. The studio also intends to establish an IP incubator and develop transmedia storytelling formats.
From blockbuster VFX credits to building its own story universe, Kayhan Entertainment is stepping into the spotlight with a clear ambition, to create Indian IP that doesn’t just shine on screen, it travels the world.
