Mumbai: Ask Locomotive Global Media managing director Sunder Aaron what he believes is the best media market in the world and his answer comes with no hesitation. “Without a doubt it’s India. There is no bigger market, no greater challenge and no more incredible opportunity for creators than to be in India right now," Aaron asserts. "China can’t compare to our relative ease of doing business and reaping profits, while Europe just feels quaint, small and slow compared to what is happening here.”
The company, which is based in LA, California and India, is aggressively building a slate of premium scripted series which are firmly rooted in Indian storytelling, and yet aim to deliver global quality shows to be enjoyed on streaming platforms around the world. “We believe that our content should be grounded and authentic to India, and in making that our objective with every script, exceptional stories will naturally blossom and find an audience all around the world," he shares, adding, "If top shows can emerge from Korea, Spain, Israel, then it’s only a matter of time before we crack that code also. I want one of our shows from India to be the first on Apple TV+ or even to get a Primetime Emmy award!”
Locomotive Global is collaborating with Gurinder Chadha’s Bend It Films and Sameer Nair’s Applause Entertainment. It is also working on a project for Amazon Prime Video that is in advanced stages of scripting, confirms Aaron, who only revealed that it is a horror series. The production house has also partnered with Endemol Shine India for another series that is currently under wraps. In 2020, it acquired the screen adaptation rights to the book "The Making of Star India" by Vanita Kohli-Khandekar. “The ‘Making of Star India’ is a terrific book and we’re setting that project up. I expect to talk more about it in the coming months. We’re also looking to acquire the rights to remake a French show, a British show and a couple of US shows,” says Aaron.
Locomotive Global is also set to complete its first Indian original series “Rana Naidu” in early 2023. The series will feature actor Rana Daggubati who will appear alongside his uncle Venkatesh Daggubati and will stream on Netflix. The series is an adaptation of the acclaimed show “Ray Donovan” that airs on the US network Showtime.
The company is looking to create high quality written content that can be developed into hit series. It’s also working with the top talent in the industry, for example, “Rana Naidu” is helmed by Karan Anshuman (showrunner and director) and also Suparn Varma (director). “When you talk about a web series, it is a writer’s medium and we love working with writers and showrunners. We have a very fruitful partnership with Karan Anshuman and are talking to a couple of other established showrunner talent for our scripted series projects,” Aaron tells.
Locomotive Global is expanding its team in the subcontinent with senior producer level hires who are practiced in producing film and television. Most recently, it announced the hires Laura Mishra as associate producer and Nikhil Ahuja as finance controller. “As a production company, we are also bringing a lot of technical production ability as those are necessary when you’re building a team from the ground-up.”
Last year in October, Chicken Soup For The Soul Entertainment acquired a majority stake in Locomotive Global. Its investment will allow the production company to explore more projects. “The reason we got involved with Chicken Soup For The Soul Entertainment is that we wanted that global resource. There will be an infusion of funds that will come in stages and we will have the ability to make more stuff. If we’re successful we’ll have access to more funds. That’s the intent,” remarks Aaron.
Indian OTTs spend about $500 million in original content production in 2021 according to London-based research firm Omdia. Netflix and Amazon Prime Video were among the top spenders on content. This number is expected to grow further as more global streamers like HBO Max, Apple TV+ among others start investing in local original content. Aaron’s single-minded focus is to create content that appeals to a global audience. “We have an objective as content creators to create global quality content. That’s why, the platforms I typically expect to work with are Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ Hotstar. If you create something as a producer, I want it to be something that people will see around the world.”
When queried if Indian original content will travel like Korean or Spanish shows, Aaron notes, “Indian quality of content and technical production is world-class. We just have to get the writing in place and believe me we are getting there. I hope that one of my shows or some of my shows are able to achieve that.”
Unscripted series are also seeing popularity on OTT platforms, however, Aaron said he doesn’t think he would be up for creating unscripted shows as it does not fit his expertise. The format that he’s personally interested in is the half-hour dramedy. He says, “The half-hour format is underexploited in India with platforms veering towards 40 minutes plus episodes. I believe platforms and viewers would like the frothiness and quickness of a half-hour episode format and a lot of stories can be told in that half-hour format. I’d like to do a sketch comedy show and it is something I’m working on with a particular director in India.”
