Streaming Wars: A Year of Breakthroughs, Bans, and Bollywood's Web Debut
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The Indian streaming scene witnessed unprecedented growth in 2025, marked by significant mergers, regulatory crackdowns, and the rise of web-born stars. One of the year's most notable developments was the Jio-Hotstar merger, which combined Disney+ Hotstar with JioCinema under the unified JioHotstar platform. In a major shake-up, the Indian government banned 24 OTT platforms, including Ullu and ALTBalaji, for allegedly streaming explicit content. This move underscored the government's efforts to regulate digital content in the country. Netflix made a significant business move by acquiring Warner Bros Discovery's streaming and studios division, following a high-stakes bidding war with Paramount. This acquisition reflects the growing influence of streaming platforms and raises questions about the future of the entertainment industry. This year saw a new trend in Bollywood, with star kids opting for web platforms to launch their careers. Ibrahim Ali Khan and Aryan Khan, sons of Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan respectively, ventured into acting and direction, with Aryan's directorial debut, 'The Ba***ds of Bollywood', sparking controversy over a scene allegedly mocking an NCB officer. The British series 'Adolescence' gained massive traction for its innovative cinematography, shot in one continuous take per episode. This series was a game-changer for the film industry, showcasing the potential of experimentation in storytelling. Actor-filmmaker Aamir Khan chose a unique approach by releasing his film 'Sitaare Zameen Par' on his own YouTube channel, priced at ₹100. The film's digital release was a departure from the usual OTT platforms. Another major controversy involved the release of Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi's 'Bhool Chuk Maaf', which was initially set for a theatrical release but was later pushed to a direct-to-OTT release due to the India-Pakistan conflict. The Bombay High Court ultimately ruled in favor of the film's theatrical release. Comedian Samay Raina's show 'India's Got Latent' faced backlash after podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia asked an 'obscene' question to a contestant, leading to FIRs being filed against the panelists. The show was eventually shut down, and all previous episodes were deleted from the platform. The Indian government banned 16 Pakistani news channels on YouTube and advised OTT platforms to remove content from the neighboring country, citing the IT Rules 2021 to prevent threats to India's sovereignty and security. Several critically acclaimed shows returned with new seasons, including 'Paatal Lok', 'The Family Man', and 'Delhi Crime'. The web space also witnessed the launch of India's first AI-powered series, 'Mahabharat', which received mixed reactions from the industry and audience alike.
