Bengali-language focused streamerHoichoihas unveiled a 24-strong slate on the occasion of its sixth anniversary of operations.
The platform has seen a 40% surge in direct subscriptions and a 60% rise in individual watch time per subscriber compared to 2022, Hoichoi said. The streamer’s monthly active users have doubled, it said. Apart from India and Bangladesh, its footprint is across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, U.S. and U.K. and international subscriber revenues have increased by 40%. The average engagement time per active user is 59 minutes.
The streamer is introducing a new segment Best of Bengal and a new addition to its World Classics strand, which will feature literary adaptations from Bengal and the rest of the world, respectively.
Hoichoi recently established a partnership with Mukesh Ambani’s Jio Cinema for its Hindi-dubbed content. One of the key strategic initiatives for the year ahead will involve exploring opportunities to
make content available in more languages such as Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam via selected partners.
Dubbed versions of the streamer’s original shows are finding homes on other platforms, like Telugu-language avatars of “Taqdeer” and “Indu” finding a home on Disney+ Hotstar.
New shows that are being added to Hoichoi’s 140+ originals library include Srijit Mukherji’s “Durgo Rawhoshyo,” an adaptation of Saradindu Bandyopadhyay’s novel that kicks off the Best of Bengal strand and stars Anirban Bhattacharya, Sohini Sarkar and Rahul Banerjee; and the second release under the strand is an adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s “Parineeta,” directed by Aditi Roy and starring Debchandrima Singha Roy. Joining the World Classics strand is Shakespeare adaptation “Talmar Romeo Juliet” from Arpan Garai, Anirban Bhattacharya and Durbar Sharma.
Every year, well-known names from Bengali-language cinema make their streaming debuts on Hoichoi and the latest cohort includes Mimi Chakraborty, Chiranjeet Chakraborty and Debasree Roy.
Sourav Chakraborty’s “Chemistry Mashi” is Roy’s streaming debut where she plays the role of a middle-aged vlogger who teaches and shares her love for chemistry through cooking videos. Chiranjeet Chakraborty’s streaming debut, an adaptation of Souvik Chakraborty’s horror novel, is directed by Parambrata Chattopadhyay. Mimi Chakraborty makes her streaming debut alongside Tota Roy Choudhury, portraying the character of a prosecutor and defense lawyer, respectively, in Chandrasish Ray’s “Jaha Bolibo Shotto Bolibo.”
Paran Bandyopadhyay is the lead in Rahool Mukherjee’s “Dadur Kirti” where a grandfather tries to reunite his scattered family, while “Ekushey Paa,” from Aritra Sen and Chattopadhyay is a modern retelling of Bani Basu’s novel based on the lives of students. Ritwik Chakraborty leads lawyer franchise “Advocated Achinta Aich” from Joydeep Mukherjee. Other new shows include “Lojja,” “Devi,” “Antormahal,” “Kolonko” and “Moddhoraater Opera.”
In addition, there are returning seasons of “Eken,” “Indu,” “Gobhir Joler Maach,” “Noshtoneer,” “Dakghor,” “Gora,” “Rajneeti,” “Bodhon,” “Sampurna” and “Nikhoj.”
Vishnu Mohta, co-founder of Hoichoi, said: “From bringing in top creators, ensuring one world premiere movie a month, to developing strategic partnerships for accessibility, we as a platform believe in constant growth and betterment, which has led us to increase our user base by a substantial margin.”
COO Soumya Mukherjee added: “Our primary focus is on forging strategic partnerships in mobile, broadband, DTH and other distribution channels, not only to expand our reach within India but also in regions like Bangladesh, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia and to grow our base in countries like U.S., U.K. among others. As a brand, Hoichoi is determined to grow on all fronts, ensuring that our global appeal not only endures but also flourishes and entertains all users.”
