‘Sam Bahadur’ Becomes ZEE5 Global’s Biggest Hindi-Language Weekend Opener To Date

EXCLUSIVE: A war biopic chronicling the life of India’s first field marshal has become the all-time biggest Hindi weekend opener on the ZEE5 Global streaming platform. 

Based on the life of Sam Manekshaw, the first Indian Army officer promoted to the rank of Field Marshal, Sam Bahadur stars Vicky Kaushal, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub. 

In the first three days of its digital release on ZEE5 Global, the film has risen to the top position among all Hindi titles released on the South Asia-focused platform, surpassing figures for 2023 blockbusters like Gadar 2 and Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai. 

Like most other streamers, ZEE5 Global doesn’t break down viewing data, but it said viewers from over 190 countries have watched Sam Bahadur on the streaming platform, with the U.S., Australia, UK, United Arab Emirates and Canada as the top performers outside of India. 

The theatrical release of Sam Bahadur has brought in more than $16 million for worldwide gross. At India’s Filmfare Awards, which recognizes achievements in Hindi-language work, the film notched several wins in the technical categories, clinching awards for production design, costume design and sound design. 

Sam Bahadur is directed by Meghna Gulzar and produced by Ronnie Screwvala’s RSVP Productions. 

“Sam Bahadur‘s global success is a strategic win, fueled by our commitment to bring the most powerful stories that resonate across borders,” said ZEE5 Global’s Chief Business Officer, Archana Anand. 

“The film’s record-breaking launch on ZEE5 Global, especially on the Indian Republic Day, is a clear testament to that This is just the beginning of an extraordinary year, and I’m thrilled to see ZEE5 Global grow from strength to strength, delivering top-notch South Asian content to viewers across the world.”

At the end of 2023, ZEE5 Global struck several deals with smaller Indian streamers to bring their content on its platform in the U.S., in a move to establish itself as the top aggregator of its kind in the States.