Studio9, the premium content arm of TV9 Network, has entered India’s mainstream OTT space with its first web series ‘Jazz City’, now streaming on Sony LIV. The ten-episode historical espionage drama is set in 1971 Calcutta during the Bangladesh Liberation War, marking a significant step for both the production house and Bengali-language storytelling on digital platforms.

As per a press release, the series positions itself as one of the most ambitious Bengali originals, blending history with espionage. At its centre is Jimmy Roy, played by Arifin Shuvoo, a jazz club owner on Park Street who is reluctantly pulled into the world of underground resistance. Opposite him, Shantanu Ghatak plays an Indian intelligence officer who recruits Roy, turning his club into a covert hub for spies, revolutionaries, journalists, and refugees amid the turbulence of war.

Created, written and directed by Soumik Sen, the series is produced by Studio9 in collaboration with StudioNext. The ensemble cast includes Sauraseni Maitra, Sayandeep Sengupta, Shreya Bhattacharya, Shataf Figar, Tanika Basu, Aniruddha Gupta, Amit Saha, and Alexandra Taylor. Creative producer Arpita Chatterjee led the production, overseeing a complex multi-location shoot spanning West Pakistan, East Pakistan, and Calcutta.

The series stands out for its period detailing and technical execution. Cinematographer Pratik Parmar recreates the mood of 1970s Park Street, while the original soundtrack by Arka Mukherjee, Diptarka Bose and Soumik Sen blends jazz with Rabindra Sangeet, echoing the cultural tensions of the time.

Speaking about the project, Soumik Sen described ‘Jazz City’ as a “love letter to Bengal’s untold post-Independence saga,” adding that the series demonstrates how bold regional storytelling can resonate on global platforms. Arpita Chatterjee noted that the show represents Studio9’s intent to deliver world-class narratives rooted in cultural authenticity.

Since its release on March 18, ‘Jazz City’ has received early critical appreciation, with reviewers highlighting its atmospheric storytelling, noir tone and strong performances, particularly that of Arifin Shuvoo.

Studio9’s OTT debut follows its recent win at the Asian Television Awards for Fan and Fanatics, further strengthening its position in premium content creation. The company is also working on ‘Duologue with Barun Das Season 4’, featuring prominent personalities including Sourav Ganguly and Aamir Khan.

With ‘Jazz City’, Studio9 signals a clear push into high-quality digital storytelling, leveraging regional narratives with global appeal as it expands its footprint in the OTT ecosystem.