Amazon inks streaming deal with superstar Salman Khan
This exclusive worldwide streaming deal is one of the biggest star deals to have ever been done in the world. India is a top priority market for Amazon. James Farrell, head of content, Prime Video, Asia Pacific
MUMBAI: Amazon Prime Video has signed a deal with superstar Salman Khan to stream his catalogue and future titles.
All future films starring Khan or produced by Salman Khan Ventures will premiere on Amazon Prime Video shortly after cinematic release and two months before satellite and television broadcast.
Catalogue titles also included are: Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Kick, Jai Ho, Hero, and the most recent release Tubelight.
“This exclusive worldwide streaming deal is one of the biggest star deals to have ever been done in the world,” raved James Farrell, head of content, Prime Video, Asia Pacific. “India is a top priority market for Amazon.”
Amazon had launched Prime Video in India in December 2016. Its first India Original series Inside Edge launched July 10 and is the most watched show on the service in India.
The Indian digital market is ripe for growth, while the global diaspora is a huge consumer of Bollywood movies, with Khan one of the local industry’s most successful worldwide stars.
Last year, Amazon had signed a licensing deal with prolific producer Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions for its past and future releases.
Nitesh Kripalani, Director and Country Head, Amazon Video India called the deal with Khan “another big step to change the way how Indian customers consume entertainment.”
Khan noted, “Fans of Indian cinema will discover my movies on a new platform and the platform will also help new fans discover our cinema.”
Last December, Amazon rival Netflix signed a deal with Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment to bring the Bollywood icon’s movies to the streaming service, including movies which will hit Indian cinemas in the next three years.