Category: iWorld

  • Tips Music turns up the heat with Tamil party anthem Mayangiren

    Tips Music turns up the heat with Tamil party anthem Mayangiren

    MUMBAI: If music is meant to move you Mayangiren might just have you dancing before you know it. Tips Music ltd. has dropped its latest Tamil track, Mayangiren, an all-out party anthem that promises to electrify playlists and pack dancefloors across the globe.

    Directed by Johnavan Lakshman Thomas, Mayangiren bursts with youthful energy, rhythm, and flair, a sonic celebration of freedom and fun. But the real magic begins when Luksimi Sivaneswaralingam takes the mic. The Toronto-born singer, who has previously worked with maestros A.R. Rahman and D. Imman, brings her signature blend of Western polish and South Asian soul to the song, creating a sound that’s as global as it is grounded. Her rich, emotive vocals glide over pulsating beats, lifting the song into instant earworm territory.

    The music, composed by Selojan Srivaratharasan, is an addictive cocktail of thumping percussion, slick synths, and joyous hooks, the kind that makes even the most reluctant dancer tap along. Selojan also mixed, mastered, and produced the track, ensuring that every beat lands with precision and punch. Complementing the sound is Sathyan Ilanko’s clever, relatable lyricism that captures the carefree thrill of letting go, losing oneself to rhythm, and embracing the chaos of a perfect night out.

    But Mayangiren isn’t just a track, it’s an experience. The accompanying music video, bursting with colour, choreography, and celebration, mirrors the song’s vivacity, turning it into a visual fiesta. With its sleek direction and youthful vibe, the video amplifies the energy of the track, making it impossible to resist replaying.

    Speaking about the release, Tips Music said the track embodies the label’s mission to amplify diverse voices and dynamic sounds from across India’s evolving music scene. Over the years, Tips has championed new-age artists who bridge cultural influences while keeping Indian music at the heart of their art and Mayangiren is a shining example of that ethos.

    In a musical landscape dominated by remixes and reboots, Mayangiren stands out for its originality and spirit, a feel-good anthem that’s equal parts desi groove and global pop sheen. With its pulsating soundscape and addictive rhythm, it’s tailor-made for road trips, rooftop parties, and weekend playlists alike.

    Now streaming across all major platforms and lighting up the Tips Tamil Youtube channel Mayangiren is ready to soundtrack your celebrations. So, turn up the volume, forget the world, and as Luksimi sings just mayangiren.

  • The Night Manager returns with new secrets, new spies and old scars

    The Night Manager returns with new secrets, new spies and old scars

    MUMBAI: The night is getting darker, and Jonathan Pine is back to face the ghosts he thought he’d buried. Prime Video has announced that the highly anticipated Season Two of The Night Manager will premiere on Sunday, 11 January 2026, with the first three episodes dropping together, followed by a weekly rollout until 1 February 2026. The six-part series will stream exclusively on Prime Video worldwide (excluding the UK) and on BBC and BBC iPlayer in the UK.

    Eight years after its explosive Season One finale, the Emmy, Golden Globe and BAFTA-winning spy drama returns more dangerous, more deceptive, and just as addictive. Tom Hiddleston reprises his Golden Globe-winning role as the enigmatic former spy Jonathan Pine, who now lives under the alias Alex Goodwin. But when the past comes knocking in the form of a rogue mercenary and a global conspiracy, Pine is pulled back into the shadowy world he once escaped.

    This time, he’s not alone. Olivia Colman returns as the steadfast intelligence officer Angela Burr, while Diego Calva (Babylon, Narcos: Mexico) and Camila Morrone (Daisy Jones & The Six) join the cast as new players in Pine’s perilous new mission. The cast also includes Indira Varma, Paul Chahidi, and Hayley Squires, alongside returning favourites Alistair Petrie, Douglas Hodge, Michael Nardone, and Noah Jupe.

    Filmed across the UK, Spain, Colombia, and France, the new season raises the stakes with a global plot that spans continents and conspiracies. Pine, now a low-level MI6 officer running a quiet surveillance unit, is thrust into action after a fateful encounter with Colombian businessman Teddy Dos Santos (Calva) unravels a deadly arms network. Partnering with businesswoman Roxana Bolaños (Morrone), Pine must navigate treacherous alliances and buried betrayals to expose a plot designed to destabilise an entire nation.

    Created and executive produced by David Farr, and directed by BAFTA-winner Georgi Banks-Davies (I Hate Suzie, Paper Girls), the second season is once again based on the characters from John le Carré’s novel. It’s produced by The Ink Factory, in association with Character 7, Demarest Films, 127 Wall, and Spanish co-producer Nostromo Pictures.

    Executive producers include Stephen Garrett, Simon and Stephen Cornwell, Michele Wolkoff, Adrián Guerra, Hugh Laurie, and Tom Hiddleston himself. With such a powerhouse creative team, The Night Manager promises another elegant blend of espionage, emotion, and edge-of-your-seat tension.

    Season One, which premiered in 2016, was lauded for its razor-sharp writing, lush cinematography, and powerhouse performances bagging 11 BAFTA nominations, three Golden Globes, and critical acclaim worldwide. Season Two now picks up the story eight years later, delving deeper into Pine’s fractured psyche and the blurred lines between loyalty, deception, and survival.

    With betrayal lurking in every shadow and old enemies reborn, The Night Manager returns not just as a spy thriller, but as a study in reinvention of both its hero and the genre itself. After all, in the world of espionage, the night never truly ends; it only gets darker.

  • Tisca Chopra’s Saali Mohabbat finds a home on ZEE5

    Tisca Chopra’s Saali Mohabbat finds a home on ZEE5

    MUMBAI: Tisca Chopra is ready to step behind the camera with her directorial debut feature, Saali Mohabbat, a ZEE5 Original set to premiere later this year. Featuring Radhika Apte, Divyenndu Sharma, and Anurag Kashyap in lead roles, the film is produced by Jio Studios and Manish Malhotra’s Stage5 Production, marking the celebrated designer’s first venture into digital cinema.

    After an acclaimed run at film festivals including IFFI and the Chicago South Asian Film Festival, Saali Mohabbat is all set for its digital debut on ZEE5. Billed as a genre-bending ‘how-dunnit’, the story follows Smita (Radhika Apte), a small-town housewife whose seemingly ordinary life spirals into a dark maze of deceit, desire, and moral conflict. What begins as a domestic drama slowly unfolds into a chilling tale of love, betrayal, and blurred truths.

    Tisca Chopra, known for her powerful on-screen performances, brings a sharp and empathetic gaze to her first feature as director. “With Saali Mohabbat, I wanted to tell a story that’s intimate yet unsettling, one that explores the invisible tensions in relationships and the ways love can morph into something darker,” she said. “Directing this film has been both terrifying and liberating, and I’m deeply grateful to my collaborators for trusting my vision.”

    Producer Manish Malhotra described the project as a deeply personal one. “At Stage5, we back stories that are original in thought and strong in craft. Saali Mohabbat is layered and quietly powerful, exploring silence, choices, and consequence. Every frame reflects the team’s shared commitment to storytelling with purpose and soul,” he said.

    Jio Studios president Jyoti Deshpande added, “We are proud to support bold voices like Tisca’s and to collaborate with creative forces such as Manish Malhotra. Saali Mohabbat is a perfect blend of emotional depth and cinematic finesse, a story that will resonate deeply with audiences.”

    ZEE5 business head Hindi Kaveri Das said, “We’re thrilled to bring Saali Mohabbat to ZEE5 viewers. It’s not just a thriller, but a deeply human story that challenges conventions and keeps you hooked till the very end.”

    With its blend of psychological intrigue, striking performances, and Tisca Chopra’s assured direction, Saali Mohabbat promises to be one of this year’s most compelling digital premieres, a love story that cuts deep and lingers long after the credits roll.
     

  • The Family Man returns: Srikant now the hunted

    The Family Man returns: Srikant now the hunted

    MUMBAI: Looks like Srikant Tiwari just made India’s most-wanted list. Prime Video has unveiled the high-voltage trailer for The Family Man Season 3, the beloved spy-thriller created by Raj & DK, which premieres globally on November 21.

    This time, the tables have turned. The once calm and composed undercover agent, played by Manoj Bajpayee, is now on the run, not only from new foes Rukma (Jaideep Ahlawat) and Meera (Nimrat Kaur), but also from TASC, his very own intelligence unit. The trailer teases an intense cat-and-mouse chase as Srikant’s double life crumbles, blurring the lines between family and duty.

    The new season promises everything fans love about The Family Man, razor-sharp wit, breathtaking action, emotional turmoil, and a dose of desi espionage swagger. Alongside Bajpayee, the stellar returning cast includes Priyamani, Sharib Hashmi, Shreya Dhanwanthary, Ashlesha Thakur, Vedant Sinha, and Gul Panag.

    Creators Raj & DK shared, “Season 3 takes Srikant’s professional and personal chaos to a whole new level. With Jaideep and Nimrat joining the universe as formidable new adversaries, this season pushes him to his absolute limits.”

    Echoing the excitement, Manoj Bajpayee said, “For years, fans have asked me when Srikant Tiwari is coming back, and now the wait is over. This season is bigger, bolder, and far more dangerous. Srikant is cornered like never before.”

    New entrants Jaideep Ahlawat and Nimrat Kaur called the experience “thrilling and surreal,” with Nimrat describing The Family Man as “a dream come true” for any actor.

    Directed by Raj & DK, with Suman Kumar and Tusshar Seyth joining the director’s chair, the new season of The Family Man will stream in over 240 countries and territories on Prime Video. So, buckle up, India’s favourite spy is back, but this time, the hunter has become the hunted.

  • Prime Video adds south cinema blockbuster hub

    Prime Video adds south cinema blockbuster hub

    MUMBAI: The streaming giant has launched AP International South Cinema as its newest add-on subscription, giving fans a dedicated space to enjoy some of Tamil and Malayalam cinema’s most celebrated films, from blockbusters to cult favourites, for just Rs 399 a year.

    The new add-on brings together an impressive library of acclaimed titles, including Tamil gems like Sivakasi, 7/G Rainbow Colony, Pudhupettai, and Ghilli, alongside Malayalam hits such as King Liar, Puthiya Niyamam, and Annayum Rasoolum. The collection spans genres and generations, offering viewers a rich taste of South India’s storytelling brilliance.

    Announcing the launch, Prime Video Ads India head of marketplace (add-on subscriptions and movie rentals) Gaurav Bhasin said, “We’re delighted to bring AP International South Cinema to Prime Video’s growing local language line-up. This collaboration celebrates India’s diverse filmmaking heritage and strengthens our mission to make Prime Video a one-stop destination for entertainment.”

    AP International managing director Sanjay Wadhwa added, “True cinema transcends language and time. Through this partnership, we’re proud to share the soul of Tamil and Malayalam storytelling with audiences everywhere, celebrating the past while shaping the future.”

    With this addition, Prime Video continues to expand its video entertainment marketplace, offering seamless access to premium content across multiple OTT services. Subscribers can enjoy easy billing, unified search, personalised recommendations, and offline viewing, all within the familiar Prime Video experience.

    For fans of South Indian cinema, it’s a blockbuster upgrade, no language barriers, no extra apps, just great films at the click of a button.

     

  • BGMI drops the mic on Ads with a satirical spin

    BGMI drops the mic on Ads with a satirical spin

    MUMBAI: Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) has taken aim at one of India’s cheekiest advertising tricks, the surrogate ad, and flipped it into a cultural spectacle. Teaming up with creative agency Talented, the brand has launched BGMI Drops, a tongue-in-cheek campaign that turns parody into performance art for the meme generation.

    Instead of hiding behind substitutes, BGMI proudly parodies them. The campaign transforms the game’s most iconic elements into fictional FMCG products, BGMI energy drink, BGMI helmet, and BGMI only pans, each with its own delightfully over-the-top commercial.

    Directed by Akimbo (Mandakini Menon & Bopanna MG) and produced by Potli Baba Mediahouse, the three short films blend nostalgia, satire, and absurdist humour, paying tribute to India’s golden era of ad jingles and glossy TV spots. The first film alone clocked 4 million organic views in just 24 hours.

    The fun doesn’t stop there. Fans can head to trybgmi.com, a parody storefront where they can “shop” for the spoof products, discover hidden easter eggs, and unlock digital experiences, all part of the campaign’s interactive storytelling.

    “BGMI has always set the tone for pop culture in India,” said Krafton India associate director – marketing and product Srinjoy Das. “With BGMI Drops, we wanted to speak in the native tongue of our players, referential, meme-driven, and self-aware.”

    According to Talented’s Ritika Shriram and Aaliya Sheikh, “Surrogate ads were about hiding intent. We turned that inside out. These films wear their disguise proudly and invite viewers to join the inside joke.”

    By remixing nostalgia with internet irony, BGMI Drops turns everyday scrolls into satire. In true 2025 style, it’s not just an ad campaign, it’s a wink, a nudge, and a meme waiting to happen.

  • Tata Play strikes the right chord with Apple Music offer for users

    Tata Play strikes the right chord with Apple Music offer for users

    MUMBAI: Tata Play is turning up the volume on value. The content distribution giant has teamed up with Apple Music to make subscribers’ playlists longer, livelier and best of all free for the first few months. The special promotional offer extends across Tata Play Binge, Tata Play Mobile app, and Tata Play Fiber, ensuring that no matter how subscribers tune in, they can do it to the sound of Apple’s iconic beats.

    The deal gives new Apple Music users a complimentary four-month subscription, while qualifying returning users can enjoy three months free before the regular plan of Rs 119 per month kicks in. The offer, available to all Tata Play customers across DTH, OTT, and broadband services, adds another note to the company’s mission of delivering “value beyond entertainment.”

    “At Tata Play, we’re constantly innovating to enrich our subscribers’ entertainment experience,” said Tata Play chief commercial and content officer Pallavi Puri. “This promotional offer gives our customers easy access to over 100 million songs, curated playlists, and live radio through Apple Music all integrated seamlessly with Tata Play platforms.”

    For Apple India, this partnership hits all the right notes. “Expanding our collaboration with Tata Play marks an important step forward in our growing partnership,” said Apple India director of content and services Shalini Poddar. “With the integration of Apple Music, we’re delivering a more immersive and personalised audio experience to Tata Play’s audience, bringing Apple Music to even more customers.”

    Subscribers can redeem the offer through a promo code, after which it transitions into a regular Apple Music plan. For Tata Play, the move amplifies its growing effort to blend entertainment ecosystems combining video, broadband, and now, music into a unified experience for Indian households.

    By adding Apple Music’s signature soundscape to its content mix, Tata Play isn’t just streaming shows anymore, it’s orchestrating an experience where every user can, quite literally, play it their way.

     

  • Golden hour for BTS fans as Jung Kook’s world lights up Mumbai

    Golden hour for BTS fans as Jung Kook’s world lights up Mumbai

    MUMBAI: It’s finally golden hour for Indian BTS fans. The world of Jung Kook, the youngest member and “Golden Maknae” of the global pop phenomenon BTS, is set to shimmer in Mumbai as GOLDEN: The Moments, a global exhibition celebrating his first solo album makes its India debut.

    Presented by Bookmyshow Live in partnership with Hybe, the exhibition opens its doors at Mehboob Studios from 12 December 2025 to 11 January 2026, inviting fans to step inside Jung Kook’s creative universe. Tickets go live on 6 November at 12 pm, exclusively on Bookmyshow, with early buyers gaining special access to a preview night that promises a first-hand glimpse into the artist’s golden world.

    A tribute to Jung Kook’s evolution from prodigious performer to global pop icon, GOLDEN: The Moments celebrates his artistry across immersive zones that blend sound, visuals, and emotion. From the cinematic spectacle of Standing Next to You in GOLDEN: THEATER to behind-the-scenes glimpses in SOLID CINEMA, the exhibition offers fans a rare chance to see how inspiration becomes music, and how music becomes magic.

    The journey begins with THE RECORD OF “GOLDEN MOMENTS”, tracing Jung Kook’s rise from his debut to superstardom, and continues through GOLDEN: RECORDS, a shrine to his global achievements with awards, performance gear, and rare photos. Fans can experience remixed tracks in GOLDEN: PHOTOS, tune into the layers of his song Hate You in GOLDEN: SOUNDS, and relive hits like Seven (feat. Latto), 3D (feat. Jack Harlow), and Standing Next to You in Shine Cinema.

    For Jung Kook’s Indian fans, this isn’t just an exhibition, it’s a pilgrimage. “Our partnership with Hybe marks an exciting new chapter in bringing transformative global experiences to India,” said Bookmyshow chief business officer for live events Naman Pugalia. “With one of the world’s most passionate BTS communities here, GOLDEN: The Moments connects fans more deeply to Jung Kook’s artistry and the universal power of music.”

    HYBE echoed this sentiment, calling India “one of the most dynamic and fast-evolving music markets in the world.” The company added, “Through GOLDEN: The Moments, we’re glad to open this new chapter with Bookmyshow Live, connecting Jung Kook’s heart to the voices of Indian fans.”

    Every element of the exhibition from his glittering stage costumes and concert visuals to unseen rehearsal footage has been curated to highlight Jung Kook’s duality: the superstar who commands global stages and the artist quietly perfecting his craft behind the scenes. Visitors can even leave personal notes, becoming part of Jung Kook’s continuing golden story.

    For India’s rapidly growing K-pop community, this marks a milestone moment. What began as a digital fandom thriving on live streams, fan edits, and global hashtags now steps into the real world as GOLDEN: The Moments transforms virtual admiration into a shared, tangible celebration.

    As the exhibition opens, it shines not just on Jung Kook’s luminous career but on India’s rising place in global pop culture. For millions of fans ready to walk through the golden doors, Mumbai’s Mehboob Studios is about to turn into the brightest stage of them all.

  • Scara Live turns the spotlight on culture and connection in real time

    Scara Live turns the spotlight on culture and connection in real time

    MUMBAI: In a world where everything’s streamed, Scara Live wants you to feel it live. The new vertical from Scara Gaming is reimagining India’s entertainment landscape by bringing brands, creators, and audiences together in the real world where emotion meets experience.

    At the intersection of entertainment, sports, and culture, Scara Live isn’t just about events, it’s about cultural engineering. It crafts immersive, insight-led experiences that move beyond screens and algorithms to build real-world communities that pulse with creativity, connection, and conversation.

    Helmed by a powerhouse leadership team, Scara Live draws on a collective experience of over 60 years across gaming, tech, live events, and media. Manoj George, with 20-plus years in the gaming and cultural sectors, previously drove business and revenue at Nodwin Gaming, Cornerstone, and UTV Disney. Mazher Ramzanali, who has shaped brand narratives for Budweiser, MTV, OML, and Vice Media, brings his 15 years of expertise in sponsorship and culture programming. Santosh P, former marketing leader at Bookmyshow and OML, adds 16 years of live entertainment strategy, while Vikas Chand brings his operational prowess from marquee sports entities such as BCCI, IMG Reliance, and Delhi Capitals.

    Together, they aim to rewrite the live playbook turning brand engagement into shared memory. “Scara Live represents our belief that live experiences are where culture truly happens,” said Manoj George. “We’re combining the power of creativity with the discipline of data and delivery to help brands engage audiences in meaningful, lasting ways.”

    Mazher Ramzanali added, “The lines between digital and physical engagement are fading fast. Scara Live is built to help brands bridge that space, transforming entertainment, sport, and culture into living experiences that drive connection and community.”

    The company’s flagship properties, Pixel Pulse and Beyond the Game, anchor this philosophy. Pixel Pulse blends music, comedy, fashion, and gaming to create large-scale cultural moments, while Beyond the Game functions as a B2B thought-leadership and networking platform for sports, gaming, and innovation professionals.

    The first project under Scara Live’s belt, iPopstar, is already tuning in audiences. A weekly music reality series featuring King, Astha Gill, Aditya Rikhari, and Parmish Verma, it brings together 12 contestants battling it out over six weeks. The series streams on Amazon MX Player, with Spotify and Warner Music as music partners. Scara Live acts as the culture partner for the IP, owned by Rusk Media.

    As Santosh P put it, “India’s creator and live entertainment economy is on the rise. Scara Live is designed to meet the craving for authenticity and interaction, helping brands not just participate in culture but shape it.”

    With a bold vision and a multi-disciplinary team, Scara Live is poised to redefine how India experiences live entertainment not as an event, but as a living, breathing story. For those tired of watching from behind the screen, Scara Live promises to make life itself the stage.

  • Australia forces Netflix and Disney+ to bankroll local content

    Australia forces Netflix and Disney+ to bankroll local content

    MUMBAI: Australia has stopped asking nicely. The government will introduce legislation this week forcing streaming platforms to invest in Australian drama, children’s shows, documentaries and educational content—or face the consequences.

    Any service with more than a  million Australian subscribers—Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime and others—must commit at least 10 per cent of their local expenditure, or 7.5 per cent of revenue, to homegrown productions. It’s a quota system that puts streamers on par with free-to-air and pay television, which have long faced similar obligations.

    The rules were meant to arrive in July last year but got tangled in trade politics. Concerns about how they would mesh with Australia’s free trade agreement with America led to a pause. The government blamed difficulty negotiating with Washington during an election year. After Donald Trump’s victory, questions swirled about whether the quotas could trigger retaliatory tariffs.

    With both elections now behind them and the US-Australia relationship stable, Canberra has pushed ahead. Tony Burke, arts minister, and Anika Wells, communications minister, framed the move as a jobs safeguard for an industry increasingly threatened by artificial intelligence.

    “Since their introduction in Australia, streaming services have created some extraordinary shows,” Burke said. “This obligation will ensure that those stories—our stories—continue to be made.”

    Wells pointed to Bluey, the children’s programme that became a global phenomenon, as proof of concept. Australian content connects people with “who we are” and shares that with the world, she said.
    The government hasn’t explained how it will calculate the two quota options—10 per cent of expenditure or 7.5 per cent of revenue—leaving room for future friction with the platforms.

    The Australian model raises an obvious question: could India impose similar quotas? While Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Lionsgate Play are commissioning o9r acquiring local content, it’s unclear whether they’re hitting anything close to a 10 per cent threshold. Indian regulators have repeatedly failed to enforce local quotas on television channels, making it unlikely they’ll succeed with streamers.

    But the precedent matters. If Australia can strong-arm global platforms into funding local productions without sparking a trade war, other markets may feel emboldened to try. For now, India’s streaming landscape remains a free-for-all—heavy on local content by choice, light on obligation by design. Whether that changes depends less on regulatory ambition than political will. And in India, that’s always been in short supply.