Disney+ Hotstar today announced three new Indian titles, Showtime, Mahabharata, and Koffee With Karan (Season 8), at the D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan event being held at the Anaheim Convention Center, California this weekend.
The popular talk show Koffee With Karan, which made its streaming debut on the streaming platform with Season 7, returns with more celebrity guests, gossip and games. Koffee with Karan (Season 8) is produced by Johar, Apoorva Mehta and Aneesha Baig of Dharmatic Entertainment Production. The talk show first debuted 18 years ago.
Dharmatic and Disney+ Hotstar also unveiled the fiction series Showtime which is set in the film industry. Produced by Johar, Apporva Mehta and Somen Mishra, no details about the cast and crew of Showtime have been announced as yet.
A synopsis for the series stated: Showtime, a drama series, brings forward all the off-screen fights for the power that runs the show. A deep, raw, unconcealed and uninhibited look into the battle lines that are drawn and crossed to keep the camera rolling and the audiences clapping. There is only one emperor that sits on the chair - but what’s a throne without a fight to get there? So, lights…camera…and action!
The platform has also joined hands with producer Madhu Mantena of Mythoverse Studios, and Allu Entertainment for Mahabharata. The epic Indian saga is being remade again and will follow the ultimate conflict between dharma and adharma manifested through the battle for succession between the Pandava and Kaurava princes. No cast and crew have yet been announced for this series as well.
Gaurav Banerjee, head of content at Disney+ Hotstar, who attend the expo, shared, “Over the last several years, India has emerged as a content powerhouse, pushing the envelope with stories that transcend language and cultural boundaries. For a nation at the centre of the OTT revolution, Disney+ Hotstar’s pioneering stories have been dominating viewers’ preferred content library. We couldn't have asked for a more profound curtain raiser on our upcoming lineup at a globally coveted platform such as D23 Expo 2022, where we have an opportunity to share the glimpse of soon to be launched shows Showtime, Mahabharata and Koffee with Karan (Season 8).”
Johar added, “I am excited to associate with Disney+ Hotstar for our new collaboration, announced at the prestigious D23 Expo. In addition to yet another exciting season of my beloved show, Koffee With Karan (Season 8), happy to announce an all-new Dharma Production series Showtime, which will lift the curtain on India’s entertainment industry’s biggest trade secrets.”
Producer Mantena shared, “For centuries Indian epics have captured the imagination of billions around the world. These epics are deeply woven into the very fabric of our nation. The Mahabharata - one of the oldest epics in India, despite being as old as time, is still relevant today for the many lessons and words of wisdom hidden within its ancient verses.”
He continued, “It is said that every known emotional conflict experienced by mankind finds form in Mahabharat through its complex characters and storylines. We at Mythoverse are absolutely delighted to have this opportunity provided by Disney+ Hotstar to bring out a rendition of this great Indian epic Mahabharata and for announcing this news on a prestigious global platform at the D23 Expo.”
Earlier this week, Disney+ Hotstar also announced the titles Lootere, Aar Ya Paar, Taaza Khabar and The Good Wife starring Kajol.