ITV

Category: iWorld

  • Bachchan’s god-mode cameo lands on your screen as Fakt Purusho Maate premieres on Jojo

    Bachchan’s god-mode cameo lands on your screen as Fakt Purusho Maate premieres on Jojo

    MUMBAI: What do you get when a dead grandfather, divine powers, and a modern love story walk into a Gujarati household? Fakt Purusho Maate—a high-spirited, genre-blending blockbuster that’s ready to stream its madness on Jojo from 25 July.

    Fresh off a box office run that mixed laughter with generational chaos, the Jay Bodas and Parth Trivedi-directed film takes a wild swing at patriarchy, family feuds, and ghostly guidance. The plot follows Purshottam (Darshan Jariwala), an old-school family man who returns from the afterlife during the 16-day Shraadh period—with a divine mission to sabotage his grandson’s romance with an independent woman.

    Esha Kansara added, “Radhika is a very special character to me. She’s calm, clear, and knows how to stand up for herself without being harsh. I think a lot of young women will relate to her. This film talks about equality and family in such a warm and light-hearted way. It doesn’t preach—it just shows you a different way of thinking. I’m really happy it’s streaming on Jojo now because I feel it will connect with so many people. It’s the kind of story that starts a conversation at home without feeling heavy. And those are the stories that stay with you.”

    Jojo founder & CEO Dhruvin Shah said, “At Jojo, our vision has always been to bring stories that truly resonate with audiences and spark meaningful conversations. Fakt Purusho Maate is one of our most significant releases to date, not just because of its star cast or box office success, but because of the way it blends sharp entertainment with a powerful social message. It reflects the kind of storytelling we believe in—engaging, thought-provoking, culturally rooted, and universally relatable. We are proud to be the platform that brings such meaningful narratives to life and helps them connect with viewers across generations.”  

    The film also stars Mitra Gadhvi and Aarti Vyas Patel, with Kedar-Bhargav’s music giving it a pulse that swings between nostalgia and now.

    So whether you’re tuning in for some Big B magic, family banter, or just to settle the pati-vs-patraani debate, Fakt Purusho Maate is here to charm your screens—and maybe shake up a few drawing-room discussions along the way.

    (If you are an Anime fan and love Anime like Demon Slayer, Spy X Family, Hunter X Hunter, Tokyo Revengers, Dan Da Dan and Slime, Buy your favourite Anime merchandise on AnimeOriginals.com.)

  • Skill, thrills and compliance: Inside Zupee’s winning online game

    Skill, thrills and compliance: Inside Zupee’s winning online game

    MUMBAI: India’s online gaming world is having its “game on” moment and riding the leaderboard is Zupee, a platform that’s swapped chance for skill, raked in 150 million signups, clocked a jaw-dropping 12.5 billion gameplays, and finished financial year 2024 with a neat Rs 146 crore net profit. For an industry notorious for burning money faster than a turbo-charged console, Zupee’s win is as rare as a perfect game.

    Pull back the curtain and you’ll meet Govind Mittal, Zupee’s chief spokesperson, who’s put his chips on integrity from day one. “Compliance isn’t an afterthought for us,” he told Indiantelevision.com’s Rohin Ramesh via email. “It’s built into the very foundation of how we operate.”

    No sleight of hand here, just rigour honed across boardrooms at ITC, Rivigo, Joyy and more, plus a Chartered Accountant’s sharp eye (Mittal bagged an all-India rank of 16, first attempt, just saying). He has a record of spinning up companies like YY India, rocketing revenues from $1 million to $200 million ARR.

    Backed by heavyweight investors like WestCap, Matrix Partners, and Nepean Capital, Zupee boasts a $600 million valuation and is not just surviving but thriving with profitability in its corner. With momentum on its side, Zupee is setting its sights on joining the top tier of India’s online gaming platforms, giving its rivals a serious run for their money. 

    But don’t mistake the platform for a digital wild west. Instead, think of Swiss bank user trust being guarded more jealous than Fabergé eggs (A jewelled egg first created by the jewellery firm ‘House of Fabergé’). Every Zupee game is skill-based, luck is for lotteries.

    RNG (random number generators) are reviewed by global auditors; the firm boasts a third-party stamp from Arthur D. Little, and bots are banished. “We work closely with payment gateways to keep track of UPI IDs which have been used for fraud in the past and block payments through such IDs to ensure financial integrity of the platform,” says Mittal.

    Mittal has turned responsible gaming from a regulatory box-tick into the heart and soul of Zupee’s digital playground. KYC, age-gating, daily deposit limits, self-exclusion tools and trained support are stitched into the code. Session limits and refunds are all crystal clear. “Everything from our terms and conditions to our advertising practices is designed to be transparent and user-first. Fairness isn’t just a promise – it’s something we’ve institutionalised,” he comments.

    When risky behaviour emerges (say, a player’s wallet suddenly goes on a sugar rush), the system nudges, prompts, and if necessary, hits pause. “From day one we’ve built our platform with safeguards like spend limits, session reminders and self-exclusion tools that help users stay in control of their gameplay. Zupee offers users the ability to self-regulate through deposit limits and game locks and we actively monitor gameplay patterns to flag and assist users showing signs of excessive behavior,” he boasts.

    In an industry where “collaboration” is usually code for “let’s not tell the regulator”, Zupee takes the opposite tack. The company is a card-carrying member of the All India Gaming Federation, actively sharing its rulebook, lobbying for a central regulatory framework, and even blowing the whistle on shady offshore operators trying to sneak in through the back door.

    “We regularly engage with policy stakeholders to provide ground-level insights on gameplay behavior, tech innovation and user safety, helping ensure that emerging regulations are both practical and forward-looking,” he grins.

    Mittal bristles at the idea that revenue growth and safeguarding users are at odds. Says he, “Zupee offers users the ability to self-regulate through deposit limits and game locks and we actively monitor gameplay patterns to flag and assist users showing signs of excessive behavior. In-app nudges, direct outreach from trained counselors and temporary restrictions are applied where necessary. Our systems are designed to ensure that gaming remains a form of entertainment.”

    India’s gaming laws are a spaghetti of state-level tweaks. For industry players, it’s like playing snakes and ladders, mostly snakes. He concludes by saying, “A unified regulation is absolutely necessary for the orderly growth of this industry. Gaming has been a disruptive sector in more than one way and has the potential to engender technological innovation far beyond our imagination.”

    (If you are an Anime fan and love Anime like Demon Slayer, Spy X Family, Hunter X Hunter, Tokyo Revengers, Dan Da Dan and Slime, Buy your favourite Anime merchandise on AnimeOriginals.com.)

  • YouTube goes big at Mipcom Cannes 2025 with 20th anniversary blowout

    YouTube goes big at Mipcom Cannes 2025 with 20th anniversary blowout

    PARIS: YouTube is pulling out all the stops for its 20th anniversary, marking the occasion with a heavyweight presence at Mipcom Cannes this October—the global television industry’s biggest annual market.
    For the first time, the Google-owned platform will anchor itself at the Palais des Festivals with a branded hospitality space dubbed the YouTube Space, a daily schedule of creator economy workshops, and a headline keynote from Pedro Pina, YouTube’s vice-president for EMEA. The festivities will span both Mipcom (13–16 October) and MipJunior (11–12 October), as the platform ramps up efforts to forge deeper alliances with global TV players.

    “Mipcom Cannes is where the industry is, and 2025 is the year of the global creator economy,” said Mipcom Cannes and MipJunior director Lucy Smith “YouTube’s presence is a strong signal of how creator-led content is reshaping traditional models.”

    The platform’s participation ties into a broader Mipcom push to bridge the gap between digital-native creators and legacy media, with new initiatives designed to foster fresh storytelling, co-production, and monetisation models.

    Chief among these is the international debut of BrandStorytelling—a summit born at Sundance and now making its European bow. The forum aims to link brands, digital creators, and producers in funding and distributing brand-backed narratives, with showcases and networking slated for 13–14 October.

    The event also sees the Producers Hub reimagined as the Mip Creative Hub, transforming a beachside venue on the Croisette into a buzzing nexus for creators, studios, and brands. Meanwhile, the expanded MIP Innovation Lab inside the Palais returns with a slate of summits and demos on AI, Fast channels, CTV, and streaming. YouTube will host a series of practical workshops on audience building, monetisation, and format strategy.

    Pina called the collaboration “a strategic move to bolster our international TV partnerships and showcase YouTube’s evolving role in the global content ecosystem”.

    Last year’s Mipcom drew over 10,500 delegates from more than 100 countries. With YouTube now in the mix, the 2025 edition looks set to be the most creator-powered yet.

  • IBC 2025 badges to work as free transport passes as well in Amsterdam

    IBC 2025 badges to work as free transport passes as well in Amsterdam

    AMSTERDAM: This is good news for all visitors to Amsterdam’s grand IBC show. Come September 2025 onwards, the organisation is set to transform the onsite experience for its global attendees with the launch of a pioneering new feature: full integration of Amsterdam’s GVB public transport pass into the official event badge. 
    Developed in collaboration with long-time venue partner Rai Amsterdam, Amsterdam public transport operator GVB, and smart credentialing provider CredsNow, this initiative will provide frictionless, ticket-free access to the city’s extensive tram, bus and metro network – delivering a seamless, sustainable, and tech-forward experience for the tens of thousands of professionals attending this year’s show.

    In a first-of-its-kind deployment for the event, all IBC2025 badges will include an embedded QR code linked directly to the GVB system. Attendees will be able to move seamlessly between the RAI and central Amsterdam using public transport, simply by scanning the QR code on their badge – eliminating the need for additional cards, tickets or apps. This frictionless integration not only simplifies city navigation for attendees but also underscores IBC and RAI’s commitment to sustainability by encouraging the use of public transport and reducing non-recyclable ticket printing. 

    “This is more than a convenience,” said  IBC operations director Tamsin Christofides. “This reflects our commitment to sustainability, user-centric innovation, and our ongoing efforts to ensure that Amsterdam continues to be a welcoming and accessible destination for IBC2025”. 

    Rai Amsterdam, known for its commitment to green practices, has enabled free city travel for all IBC attendees across GVB’s public transport network for many years as part of its long-standing partnership with IBC. Through close collaboration with GVB and IBC, attendee travel has transformed from early ticketing measures to issuing printed passes on-site and this year, with the support of CredsNow, integrating the GVB travel pass directly within the event badge.

    “This integration supports our ambition to create truly sustainable events, and underwrites RAI’s long term commitment to IBC Show,” said Rai Amsterdam  COO Maurits van der Sluis. “By connecting the city’s transport system directly to the badge, we’re removing barriers and improving the visitor journey in a meaningful, future-forward way.” 

    CredsNow, the smart credentialing platform behind the integrated badge technology, played a key role in making this vision a reality. “We’re proud to support IBC with our secure, smart infrastructure,” said CredsNow CEO Ivan Lazarev. “This collaboration showcases how digital innovation can deliver real-world impact and smarter event mobility.” 

    “Our city continues to champion fair transport policies and future-ready event experiences for international visitors,” said GVB sr account manager corporate sales Erik Maitimo. “Close cooperation with Rai Amsterdam and event partners has helped us offer flexible, affordable, greener travel experiences for exhibition attendees. This collaboration demonstrates what’s possible when innovation meets purpose – by embedding our services into the very fabric of the IBC experience, we make public transit the default and easiest choice.” 

    IBC2025 takes place from 12–15 September at the Rai Amsterdam. Attendees will be able to use their badge to enter the venue and board any GVB-operated service throughout the city, reducing reliance on cars and streamlining travel across the event. To register for IBC2025, click here.

  • IFA Berlin turns up the volume with summer garden concert series

    IFA Berlin turns up the volume with summer garden concert series

    BERLIN: IFA Berlin is adding decibels to devices this September, as the world’s largest consumer tech show cranks open its 2025 edition with a four-day music festival in the lush Sommergarten at Messe Berlin.

    The IFA Sommergarten Opening Night on 4 September will see Berlin’s tech fair trade neon lights for stage lights. The evening opens with punky powerhouse Deine Cousine, followed by cult favourites Evil Jared & Krogi, famed in both rock and gaming circles. Rising stars Sorvina and Danilo Timm—picked from the Berlin Music Commission’s “Listen to Berlin” talent pool—will bring homegrown sounds, while Anne West wraps the evening in brooding indie pop.

    “It’s music, tech and mindset—we believe they belong together,” said IFA Management chief executive Leif Lindner,  highlighting the tie-up with StarFM, Berlin Music Commission, and Listen to Berlin.

    IFA ticket holders can access the concert free—while supplies last. B2C attendees with existing tickets will receive upgrade info, while B2B guests and exhibitors will get a separate registration link.

    The music doesn’t stop there. The IFA Sommergarten line-up runs until 7 September:
    * 5 Sept: Alles Liebe Tour with Max Herre and Joy Denalane
    * 6 Sept: Open For Everything with Ikkimel & Friends
    * 7 Sept: Podcast icons Jan Böhmermann and Olli Schulz live with Fest & Flauschig
     

    IFA Berlin has been pushing buttons and boundaries since 1924, and continues to be the premier global showcase for consumer and home tech innovation. This year, it’s throwing a party to match.

  • Ullu dives into Web3 with spicy new token, UlluCoin

    Ullu dives into Web3 with spicy new token, UlluCoin

    MUMBAI: Ullu, the OTT platform that made a name for itself with bold originals and a 42-million-strong user base, is now spicing things up in the crypto world. The streamer has officially launched UlluCoin, its own utility token, marking its first big leap into the Web3 space.

    Minted with a max supply of 100 billion tokens, UlluCoin aims to power immersive experiences and engagement across Ullu’s expanding digital ecosystem. The token is issued by a newly floated entity and signals the platform’s evolution from Web2 to decentralised, blockchain-enabled interaction, a move few Indian entertainment players have dared to make.

    Backing the venture is Cypher Capital Markets, the Dubai-based VC heavyweight with a taste for emerging tech and crypto. Known for placing early bets on Web3 winners, Cypher brings serious clout and capital to Ullu’s blockchain ambitions.

    Cypher Capital investment director, Harsh Agarwal says, “At Cypher Capital, we look for projects that combine massive user scale with real-world utility and UlluCoin fits that vision perfectly. We’re excited to back and help UlluCoin scale globally”.

    On the launch, Ullu CEO Avinash Duggar said, “This is a big moment for India and for Ullu. We’ve always strived to stay ahead of the curve, empowering users, unlocking new value for creators, and building a smarter entertainment economy.”

    He added, “UlluCoin is more than just a token; it’s a full-stack utility ecosystem built on one of the most active OTT platforms in the region. With over 109 million downloads and 42 million active subscribers, Ullu offers native distribution, unmatched engagement, and a powerful use case for real-world blockchain adoption.”

    Ganesh Lore of Chainsense Ltd. stated, “Web3 is our gateway to scaling businesses globally, and Ullu is the perfect example. Chainsense Ltd has joined as UlluCoin’s official Web3 partner, leading blockchain infrastructure, tokenomics, and global expansion.”

    With UlluCoin, the streaming rebel now wants to become a Web3 disruptor. Entertainment, meet decentralisation.
     

  • Hunter 2 trailer launch packs a punch

    Hunter 2 trailer launch packs a punch

    MUMBAI: When Jackie Shroff and Suniel Shetty rip through a life-sized poster to launch a trailer, you know the action’s not just on screen. Amazon MX Player, Amazon’s free video streamer, dropped the high-octane trailer of Hunter Season 2 – Tootega Nahi Todega at a packed Mumbai event and things took a wild turn when Tiger Shroff made a surprise guest entry, sending fan cameras and adrenaline levels soaring.

    Tiger’s unannounced arrival was a tribute to the original hunter duo — his show of support drawing whistles and applause as he joined the action icons on stage. The trailer itself teased a gritty new chapter, promising pulse-pounding stunts, emotional stakes, and a heavyweight showdown between The Hunter and the mysterious Salesman.

    Suniel Shetty, Jackie Shroff, Tiger Shroff

    Also spotted flexing their screen chops at the launch were cast members Anusha Dandekar, Barkha Bisht, Anang Desai, Pramod Pathak, and Mazel Vyas. The series is directed by Prince Dhiman and Alok Batra, and produced by Yoodlee Films, the cinematic wing of Saregama India.

    Speaking about the second season of Hunter – Tootega Nahi Todega, Amazon MX Player head of content, Amogh Dusad shared, “With Hunter 2 – Tootega Nahi Todega, we’ve scaled up every aspect of the storytelling. From the emotional depth and character arcs to the intense action and global canvas. Suniel Shetty’s return and Jackie Shroff’s entry take the narrative to a whole new level, creating a compelling face-off that’s both personal and powerful. At Amazon MX Player, our focus remains on delivering stories that resonate emotionally while offering a high-impact viewing experience.”

    “The response to Season 1 of Hunter – Tootega Nahi Todega showed us that audiences love edge-of-the-seat action when it’s backed by heart. With Suniel Shetty returning as Vikram and Jackie Shroff stepping in as the enigmatic Salesman, Season 2 brings a powerful new energy to the story. This season dives deeper, hits harder, and delivers the kind of thrill that stays with you. At Saregama and Yoodlee Films, we’re excited to continue building cinematic experiences that resonate with today’s viewers, and our collaboration with Amazon MX Player allows us to reach audiences far and wide,” shared Saregama India executive VP Siddharth Anand Kumar.

    Expressing his excitement about the trailer launch and his return to the series, Suniel Shetty highlighted, “Season 2 of Hunter – Tootega Nahi Todega digs deeper into Vikram’s past, his pain, and what drives him. This trailer is just the tip of the iceberg. What I love most is how personal the action feels this time. It’s not just about guns and chases, it’s about what’s at stake emotionally. And that emotional weight made every scene more intense. Launching the trailer in front of fans and the media gave us a real sense of how ready people are for this next chapter.”

    Sharing insights about his character and the much-awaited second season,  Shroff shared, “Jumping into Hunter 2 – Tootega Nahi Todega was a wild ride. The world had its own vibe, and then this Salesman walks in and turns it all upside down. Playing him was like holding fire in your hands – calm, yet deadly. The trailer’s out, Bhidus! Time to dive in and enjoy the ride!”

    Hunter 2 – Tootega Nahi Todega starts streaming for free on Amazon MX Player from July 24. Brace for impact.

     

  • Balaji Digital breaks the stream ceiling with two chartbusters in Ormax Top 50

    Balaji Digital breaks the stream ceiling with two chartbusters in Ormax Top 50

    MUMBAI: Balaji Digital has pulled off a streaming stunner. In just over a year since its OTT rebirth, two of the studio’s three original shows have stormed into Ormax Media’s Top 50 Streaming Originals in India (Jan–June 2025), cementing its digital street cred.

    Kull: The Legacy of the Raisingghs, a regal potboiler dripping in dynastic drama and betrayal, grabbed the #17 spot with 10.4 million viewers. Not far behind, Power of Paanch, a coming-of-age campus saga with a fantastical edge, clocked 9.4 million views to land at #23. Both shows are streaming on JioHotstar, a platform rapidly becoming Balaji’s preferred playground.

    “At Balaji, storytelling has always been our lifeblood, and digital is just another canvas, albeit a thrilling one,” said Balaji Telefilms Head of Digital Originals, Aparna Ramachandran. “It’s incredibly encouraging to see both Kull and Power of Paanch in the Ormax Top 50. Each of these shows was built with a deep belief in the audience’s appetite for emotionally intelligent, narratively bold content. This kind of validation tells us we’re on the right path.”

    It all began in 2024 with Dus June Ki Raat, a quirky comedy-thriller that laid the foundation for Balaji’s emotionally rich, character-forward narratives. But it’s in 2025 that the brand truly hit its stride. Power of Paanch brought spunk and sorcery to college corridors, while Kull unleashed a Game of Thrones-style royal rumble, desi edition.

    Reflecting on the digital landscape, Ramachandran noted, “There’s no captive audience anymore. Today’s viewer curates content based on mood, taste, and emotional relevance. We are happy to have struck a chord with specific segments and look forward to building more powerful stories from here.”

    Under Ekta Kapoor’s watchful eye and Ramachandran’s digital leadership, Balaji Digital is now eyeing bigger games, genre-benders, deeper platform partnerships, and stories that slice through the clutter.

    “The pressure on creators today is real, but it’s also an opportunity,” added Ramachandran. “We’re building a space where fresh voices, morally complex characters, and unconventional genres can thrive. The aim is simple: break moulds and stir conversation.” 

    (If you are an Anime fan and love Anime like Demon Slayer, Spy X Family, Hunter X Hunter, Tokyo Revengers, Dan Da Dan and Slime, Buy your favourite Anime merchandise on AnimeOriginals.com.)

  • Instamart’s new ad proves it delivers everything, even a laugh riot

    Instamart’s new ad proves it delivers everything, even a laugh riot

    MUMBAI: When burglars double up as domestic help, you know an ad has gone deliciously rogue. Instamart, Swiggy’s quick-commerce arm, has dropped a side-splitting new campaign, “Big or Small, We Deliver It All”, spotlighting its jaw-dropping 35,000+ product range and how it all lands at your door in just 10 minutes.

    Conceptualised by Moonshot Films, the ad kicks off with a man catching robbers mid-heist, only to calmly ask them to wait for a few more essentials he’s ordered. What follows is a madcap montage: thieves helping the family cook, study, and stream movies with stolen (but oddly useful) gadgets like mixers, projectors, and plates.

    The film wraps with a deadpan delivery executive showing up just in time, while the robbers stand hilariously frozen, tools in hand.

    With this campaign, it’s flexing its expanded inventory muscle across categories like home & kitchen, electronics, Korean beauty, baby care, and more. Whether it’s a vacuum cleaner or a vial of serum, Instamart’s message is clear: if it fits in a bag, it’s at your door before you blink.

    (If you are an Anime fan and love Anime like Demon Slayer, Spy X Family, Hunter X Hunter, Tokyo Revengers, Dan Da Dan and Slime, Buy your favourite Anime merchandise on AnimeOriginals.com.)

  • Watcho drops ‘Autumn and The Black Jaguar’ on Fliqs

    Watcho drops ‘Autumn and The Black Jaguar’ on Fliqs

    MUMBAI : What do you get when a gutsy girl reunites with a jaguar to save her Amazonian village from smugglers? A wild ride, quite literally. Watcho’s streaming platform FLIQS has just premiered Autumn and The Black Jaguar, a visually rich comedy-adventure film, now available in Hindi and English for Rs 79.

    Directed by Gilles de Maistre, the film follows Autumn (played by Lumi Pollack) — a fierce teen with a cause, who returns to her rainforest roots to take on animal traffickers. With her loyal jaguar in tow, she embarks on a heart-thumping journey filled with friendship, grit, and ecological urgency. The cast also features Emily Bett Rickards and Wayne Charles Baker.

    Dish TV chief revenue officer, Sukhpreet Singh said, “Fliqs was built with a clear vision to give great stories and creators the space they truly deserve. Every week, we are bringing fresh, diverse titles across genres and languages to our audience. It is exciting to see content like ‘Autumn and The Black Jaguar’ find a home on Fliqs, where storytelling takes centre stage and creators get a platform that values their voice.”

    The title is the latest headliner on Fliqs, Dish TV India’s premium digital content vertical within the Watcho app. Positioned as an OTT-style destination, Fliqs curates original web series, short films, movies in multiple languages and more importantly, hands creators the reins with full IP rights and monetisation tools. With new drops weekly, Fliqs is steadily building a content jungle of its own.

    (If you are an Anime fan and love Anime like Demon Slayer, Spy X Family, Hunter X Hunter, Tokyo Revengers, Dan Da Dan and Slime, Buy your favourite Anime merchandise on AnimeOriginals.com.)