Prime Video has set a streaming debut for veteran Bollywood actor Boman Irani‘s first directorial venture “The Mehta Boys,” following its acclaimed festival run.
The family drama, which nabbed Best Feature Film at the 2024 Chicago South Asian Film Festival, explores the volatile dynamics between a father and son forced to spend 48 hours together.
The Hindi-language film, co-written by Oscar winner Alexander Dinelaris (“Birdman”), stars Irani himself alongside rising talent Avinash Tiwary (“Bulbbul”), Shreya Chaudhry and Puja Sarup. Irani also picked up a Best Actor trophy at Toronto’s International Film Festival of South Asia for his performance.
After earning acclaim at the International Film Festival of India, Goa in November last year and opening the Indian Film Festival Berlin earlier this month, the intimate family portrait lands on Prime Video’s slate as the streamer continues its aggressive push into Indian original content.
Popular on Variety
“‘The Mehta Boys’ is a poignant and beautifully crafted film that delves deep into the emotional complexities of a father-son relationship,” says Nikhil Madhok, head of originals at Prime Video India. “The appreciation it has received so far speaks volumes about its authenticity and universal appeal.”
For Irani, who produced the film through his Irani Movietone LLP banner alongside Danesh Irani, Vikesh Bhutani and Shujaat Saudagar in association with Chalkboard Entertainment, stepping behind the camera fulfilled a creative ambition.
“As an actor, I have always been fascinated by the power of storytelling, and this project gave me the opportunity to explore a completely new creative avenue as a filmmaker,” Irani says. “To me, the intricate bond between a parent and a child has always been intriguing — their dynamics are raw, relatable, and, most importantly, deeply human.”
The film will stream in Hindi with dubs available in the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada languages, along with multilingual subtitles, reaching Prime Video’s audience across 240+ territories starting Feb. 7.