A new digital space for lovers of cinema has arrived, with the launch of ‘Friday Premiere’, a YouTube channel dedicated to premiering quality Tamil films for global audiences.

Launched by Creative Entertainers and Distributors, led by film producer and distributor G. Dhananjheyan, the channel will stream a new film every Friday free of cost. It would focus on movies that may have missed wider theatrical attention, including hidden gems, independent films, and critically acclaimed stories.

The films will be streamed in HD quality with English subtitles to reach viewers worldwide. The channel seeks to create space for carefully curated films across Tamil and other Indian languages, offering viewers access to memorable cinema beyond theatres.

The channel was launched on May 14, with the world digital premiere of the critically acclaimed Tamil film ‘Dream Girl’, starring Jeeva Rajendran and Harisha Jestin. Written and directed by M.R. Bharathi, the film had its theatrical release in February this year.

By combining free access with subtitles and curated selections, the initiative aims to help quality films find a wider and more lasting audience in the digital space through the channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fridaypremieretv.

The platform is also inviting submissions from independent filmmakers seeking broader visibility through curated YouTube premieres. Filmmakers may write to fridaypremiereofficial@gmail.com.

Rising investment platform

Startup Singam-Season 2 continues to redefine the scale and impact of startup reality television in India, recording nearly ₹67.34 crore investment commitments across 12 episodes, out of the 26 episodes planned for the season.

The show, aired on Star Vijay TV on Sundays at 11 a.m., is designed to identify, mentor, and invest in promising entrepreneurial ventures. The show brings together founders, investors, and industry leaders, creating an ecosystem where innovative ideas receive both funding opportunities and national visibility.

About the milestone, Kumar Vembu, Founder and CEO of Mudhal Partners, said, “We have completed the shooting of 20 episodes, with investment commitments worth ₹115 crore through the show.” He highlighted the platform’s ability to connect founders with real capital while expanding access beyond traditional startup hubs.

The season has received over 4,000 startup applications from across India, reflecting the growing aspiration among entrepreneurs to present their ventures on a national platform that combines mentorship with access to capital.

One of the highlights of the season was a ₹21.4 crore investment commitment in a single episode. Deep-tech startup Rononetics secured a ₹11 crore commitment, while consumer brand Sirimiri attracted ₹10 crore investment, reflecting investors’ confidence in scalable consumer-driven businesses.

During a recent ‘Wealth to Ventures’ High Net Worth Individuals session organised by the show, Mamatha Venkatesh, Head, Startup India, Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Government of India, emphasised that platforms like Startup Singam play a key role in widening access to capital, fostering inclusion, and enabling participation from emerging regions and first-generation founders.

On the show, Hemachandran L., Founder of Startup Singam, said, “Startup Singam is about building a bridge where capital meets clarity — ensuring founders gain not just visibility, but real investment opportunities.” The show also streams on JioHotstar.