Abundantia Entertainment’s bold new direction: A fresh take on storytelling

Aiming for younger audiences

Abundantia Entertainment, the powerhouse behind hits like “Airlift,” “Shakuntala Devi,” and the popular “Breathe” series, is setting its sights on a younger, more global audience. The company’s CEO, Vikram Malhotra, recently shared their ambitious plans, which include a diverse slate of projects designed to captivate both domestic and international viewers.

New projects on the horizon

Daldal: A gripping thriller

Leading the charge is “Daldal”, a Prime Video original series starring Bhumi Pednekar as Mumbai’s newly-appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police, Rita Ferreira. Directed by Amrit Raj Gupta, known for “Gullak,” this thriller-drama pits Ferreira against a cold-blooded killer while she navigates personal struggles. For a sneak peek, check out the Daldal trailer.

Chhorii 2: A return to horror

Following the success of its 2021 horror hit, Abundantia is readying “Chhorii 2”. Nushrratt Bharuccha returns, joined by new addition Soha Ali Khan, in this Prime Video original film directed by Vishal Furia. The story follows Sakshi as she battles an evil cult to save her daughter. Watch the Chhorii 2 trailer for more chills.

Laal: True crime drama

Another exciting project is “Laal”, a true crime feature film set in middle India. Directed by Jai Mehta, known for “Scam 1992,” the film promises to retell one of the most challenging cases ever handled by Indian investigative agencies. Dive into the mystery with the Laal trailer.

Subedaar: Action for a mature audience

Venturing into new territory, Abundantia presents “Subedaar”, an action-drama featuring Anil Kapoor as a former soldier adjusting to civilian life. Directed by Suresh Triveni, the film aims to tap into an underserved demographic with its age-appropriate action hero. Malhotra draws parallels with Hollywood hits like “Gran Torino” and “Nobody.” Check out the Subedaar trailer for a taste of the action.

A shift in storytelling focus

Embracing novelty and authenticity

Malhotra emphasized a significant shift in the company’s storytelling approach. “In 2025, 2026, and beyond, Abundantia is taking on a completely different perspective on storytelling,” he said. The focus is on stories with high novelty value, told by younger, more progressive minds, and decidedly for a younger audience. “Our focus has been on how we can tell different stories and not rely on the tropes and the clichés,” Malhotra added.

The importance of fresh voices

Authentic voices are crucial to Abundantia’s new direction. “Frankly, a 45-50 year old’s gaze on what constitutes relevance to today’s 25-year-old is not something that flies with us anymore,” Malhotra stated. He highlighted the discerning nature of today’s audience, noting that the accessibility of OTT platforms means viewers are very protective of their time. “If something is substandard, the stop button is hit ruthlessly,” he said.

Collaborating with emerging talent

Directors with streaming experience

Abundantia is partnering with emerging directorial talent who have honed their skills on long-form content for streaming platforms. This includes directors like Randeep Jha, Mayank Sharma, Bhav Dhulia, Palash Vaswani, and Himank Gaur. The company is also developing a business drama series with acclaimed filmmaker Hansal Mehta. “Our key focus is on younger, more progressive minds creating stories for the 25-30 age group,” Malhotra said.

Adapting to changing preferences

The company is adapting to changing audience preferences by crafting a mix of theatrical and direct-to-digital releases. “Content has now become anything from 30 seconds to three seasons,” Malhotra noted. Abundantia is building a slate that includes a significant portion of feature films going straight to streaming while also focusing on what will draw people to theaters.

Embracing digital-native talents

Collaborations with influencers

Abundantia is exploring collaborations with social media influencers and digital-native talents. “Today’s stars aren’t just out-of-reach celebrities. They are relatable figures who’ve made it big and whose works are cool, inspiring, and catchy,” Malhotra observed.

The evolving theatrical market

Addressing the performance of its recent theatrical release “Sarfira,” starring Akshay Kumar, Malhotra acknowledged the lower-than-expected numbers. He attributed this to the changing constituents of what makes people step out for a film, noting that genres like drama seem to have reduced appeal for theatrical viewing. “Post-pandemic, the theatrical market has undergone a drastic shift,” Malhotra said. “The competition is no longer just between Hindi films, but with content from across India and the world.”

Looking ahead

Abundantia Entertainment is poised to redefine storytelling with its innovative approach, fresh voices, and commitment to authenticity. By embracing new talent and adapting to changing audience preferences, the company aims to create uniquely Indian stories that resonate globally. As Malhotra aptly put it, “We’re aiming to tell uniquely Indian stories that can resonate globally.”