Studio9 enters OTT space with Bengali series Jazz City on Sony LIV Studio9, the production arm of TV9 Network, has launched its first original series for over-the-top (OTT) platforms with Jazz City, a ten-episode Bengali-language series now streaming on Sony LIV. The project marks the company’s debut in long-form scripted content for streaming services as production houses increasingly shift focus from traditional television to digital formats. The series is set in 1971 Calcutta during the Bangladesh Liberation War, following a jazz club owner who becomes entangled in an espionage network involving intelligence officials, journalists, and resistance groups. Created and directed by Soumik Sen, the project is produced in collaboration with StudioNext. The cast includes Arifin Shuvoo, Shantanu Ghatak, Sauraseni Maitra, and Sayandeep Sengupta, among others. The production team shot the series across multiple locations, immersing themselves in the period setting of 1970s Calcutta. The music and production design were crafted to reflect the era’s aesthetic, enhancing the authenticity of the narrative. Soumik Sen, who also serves as the writer-director, described Jazz City as a “love letter to Bengal’s untold post-Independence saga.” He highlighted the challenges of delivering the project under tight deadlines while maintaining creative excellence, calling it proof that bold Bengali storytelling can reach global audiences. “Studio9’s backing has unleashed our most ambitious work yet,” he said. Arpita Chatterjee, the creative producer, emphasized the significance of the series as Studio9’s entry into “prestige OTT content.” She noted that the project represents the company’s commitment to world-class narratives rooted in cultural truth, executed with precision.#sony_liv #arifin_shuvoo #soumik_sen #studio9 #arpi_chatterjee
‘Jazz City’ Series Review: An Overindulgent Ode To History and Patriotism The 10-episode series Jazz City, directed by Soumik Sen, attempts to reframe the birth of Bangladesh through the lens of a 1970s Calcutta jazz club, blending historical events with a narrative centered on a charismatic nightclub owner named Jimmy Roy. The story unfolds against the backdrop of the 1971 Liberation War, with the club serving as a hub for political intrigue, espionage, and cultural exchange. However, the series is criticized for prioritizing aesthetic flourishes over coherent storytelling, resulting in a disjointed experience that feels more like a cinematic spectacle than a meaningful historical account. Jimmy Roy, portrayed by Arifin Shuvoo, is a suave and resourceful nightclub owner whose charm and ability to navigate complex social dynamics make him an unlikely protagonist for a war-era drama. His initial apolitical stance is gradually supplanted by a reluctant involvement in the resistance, though this transformation is portrayed as more self-indulgent than authentic. The narrative frequently circles back to its own premise, emphasizing Jimmy’s journey from a “nobody” to a “somebody” while failing to convincingly justify his shift from capitalist entrepreneur to revolutionary. The series’ self-referential tone and overreliance on dramatic flourishes—such as elaborate set pieces and musical interludes—often overshadow the historical events it seeks to dramatize. The series attempts to weave the jazz club’s vibrant atmosphere into the broader context of the Bangladesh Liberation War, incorporating elements like clandestine meetings, political debates, and the broader socio-political tensions of the era.#jazz_city #arifin_shuvoo #soumik_sen #bangladesh_liberation_war #calcutta
