Category: iWorld

Gaming giant Nazara acquires Smaaash in a smashing Rs 126 crore deal

Mumbai, India – Nazara Technologies Limited has hit the jackpot, completing the acquisition of Smaaash Entertainment Pvt Ltd, making the gaming and entertainment company a wholly-owned subsidiary. The deal, valued at a whopping Rs 126 crores, sees Nazara solidify its position in the gaming sector, proving it is not just playing games when it comes to expansion.

On 6 June 2025, Nazara announced the successful completion of the resolution plan, previously approved by the National Company Law Tribunal, Mumbai Bench. This means Nazara has acquired 100 per cent of Smaaash’s share capital by subscribing to 1,00,00,000 equity shares of Rs 10 each, costing the company Rs 10 crores. But the fun doesn’t stop there! Nazara also extended an inter-corporate loan of Rs 116 crores to Smaaash to settle its creditors’ dues, showing it is all about clearing the board for future success.

Smaaash, incorporated on 30 November 2009, is no stranger to the entertainment scene, operating gaming and entertainment centres across 11 Indian cities under the ‘Smaash brand. Its business spans gaming, food and beverages, events, and sponsorships, bringing in a turnover of Rs 112.34 crores as of 31 March 2024.

While Smaaash’s turnover did see a slight dip from Rs 120.88 crores in 2023, this acquisition is a clear sign that Nazara is ready to power up its inorganic growth in the gaming sector.

June 9, 2025
India TV’s grand screenplay: new OTT app offers a family plot twist

MUMBAI: India TV, the erstwhile broadcasting juggernaut, has curtailed its dependence on conventional linearity, launching its brand-spanking-new India TV OTT App. This isn’t just another streaming service; it’s a calculated manoeuvre to expand the group’s digital footprint, offering a veritable smorgasbord of news, the cult classic Aap Ki Adalat, fitness regimes, devotional content, infotainment, lifestyle tips, and a plethora of podcasts.

The timing is no coincidence, capitalising on the booming digital content industry where platforms enjoy a liberating freedom from the shackles of traditional censorship. This strategic pivot leverages India TV’s established reputation for credible news and its uncanny knack for understanding the Indian psyche.
The move into the OTT arena is underpinned by a laser focus on “premium, exclusive and streaming audience-first content.”

Forget dusty archives; this app is brimming with bespoke digital delights, including news, podcasts, learning shows, and even original AI-generated stories.

What really sets the India TV OTT App apart in a rather crowded market is its commitment to delivering “meaningful content in a clutter-free, family-friendly space.”

This audience-first gambit, coupled with OTT’s inherent flexibility and accessibility, positions India TV to significantly amplify its presence in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

India TV managing director Ritu Dhawan said: “Our vision for the India TV OTT App is to be the single, trusted digital destination for every Indian family.” She added, “We’ve meticulously crafted it to deliver credible information and enrichment, fostering collective viewing experiences that truly strengthen family bonds. It’s our unwavering commitment to providing a safe, inclusive, and thoughtfully curated space for all.”

For those keen to tune in, the India TV OTT app is readily available on the Play Store of Smart TV platforms. Designed for communal viewing, it spares households the tedious chore of flicking between multiple apps or wrestling with myriad subscriptions.

Boasting a user-friendly interface, smart navigation, and seamless live streaming across genres, the app is undeniably future-ready. With this shrewd expansion into OTT, India TV continues to lead the charge in content innovation, reinforcing its pledge to serve a multi-platform, multi-generational audience with content that is not just credible and inclusive, but truly made for India.

June 9, 2025
Ted Sarandos spills the Netflix masala to Indian billionaire Nikhil Kamath

MUMBAI: What happenswhen a video store clerk-turned-media mogul sits down with a new-gen Indian billionaire?

Streaming gold.

In a riveting episode of People by WTF, Netflix co-ceo Ted Sarandos spilt the tea, dropped truth bombs, and dished out storytelling wisdom in an electric tête-à-tête with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath.

From his Phoenix roots to Hollywood power tables—and yes, dinners with Shah Rukh Khan—Ted held nothing back.

Sarandos shared his origin story: a would-be journalist whose real education came behind the counter at a video rental store. That humble setting gave him a ringside view of consumer desire—something he scaled up spectacularly at Netflix. “People hated late fees, but they loved discovering something new,” he quipped, summing up the genesis of Netflix’s ‘everything, anytime’ model.

Sarandos’ India story was peppered with glam. He reminisced about his first meal with SRK—“very different in Mumbai than in LA”—and lauded Aryan Khan’s directorial chops in The Ba**ds of Bollywood*. His creative crush? Sanjay Leela Bhansali. “Heeramandi felt like a dare… he pitched it in LA like, ‘I dare you to make this’,” said Ted, still in awe.

“For 10 years, I heard India was two years away,” Sarandos laughed. “Now, it feels truer than ever.” With local stories making global noise—think RRR or Kapil Sharma—Netflix doubled down. Sarandos noted that Indian audiences aren’t just watching Bollywood. They are binging Korean anime, true crime, Tamil action, and Turkish dramas with equal zest. “This market’s appetite is unmatched,” he said.

On leadership, Sarandos kept it brutally real. “Work-life balance? That’s a fantasy,” he shrugged. His playbook: take big swings, fail fast, and hire smart. He credited Netflix’s risk-positive culture to Reed Hastings, who saw streaming coming when dial-up ruled the world. “In 1999, Reed said, ‘Everything will come through the internet.’ It sounded crazy. Turns out, he was right.”

Sarandos bet big on local stories going global. “Squid Game was never supposed to be a global hit. But great stories travel.” He stays bullish on AI—so long as humans lead the charge. “The art of the prompt will be a human skill,” he remarked, calling AI a cost cutter, not a creator killer. “It’ll help make better films, but won’t replace human imagination or emotion.”

From gaming titles like Grand Theft Auto to video-forward podcasts, Netflix’s empire keeps expanding. Sarandos sees serious returns in content creation. “The best ROI? Still content. Delivery and monetisation are evolving faster than ever,” he noted.

His advice to young creators? Make the coffee. “Be a PA, join a writers’ room, see if this is what you really want. Passion often follows excellence,” he urged, advising rookies not to reverse-engineer Netflix’s tastes, but pitch what needs to be told.

The full episode of People by WTF featuring Ted Sarandos streamed on YouTube—popcorn highly recommended.

June 9, 2025
Zee5 reboots with a bang: new look, new packs, and a love letter to Indian languages

MUMBAI: Zee5 just hit refresh over the weekend —and it’s speaking your language, literally. The homegrown OTT giant has rolled out a bold new brand identity, tech-fuelled upgrades, and a strategic pivot that’s rooted in regional pride, promising to be India’s most culturally authentic streamer yet.

With its shiny new tagline Apni Bhasha, Apni Kahaniyan (My Language, My Stories), Zee5’s relaunch isn’t just cosmetic. It’s a full-throttle shift to a language-first, audience-personalised platform designed to woo viewers from every Indian pin code—and beyond.

From slick new UI/UX features and AI-powered recommendations to storylines inspired by folklore and forgotten heroes, the platform is now structured around three pillars: content, experience, and affordability. Each major Indian language will have its own vertical, with dedicated teams creating hyper-local narratives that speak straight to the heart.

The streamer’s language packs start at Rs 120/month, while the Hindi + Punjabi + Bhojpuri bundle comes in at Rs 220/month. The all-access plan, covering everything from Bengali thrillers to Tamil dramas, is pegged at Rs 320/month. Annual variants are on offer too.

Upcoming titles include:
* Detective Sherdil and Chhal Kapat: The Deception (Hindi)
* Sattamum Neethiyum (Tamil)
* Maarigallu (Kannada)
* Mothubaru Love Story (Telugu)
* Aata Thambhahya Naay (Marathi)
* Vibhishan (Bengali)
* Inspection Bungalow (Malayalam)

“Our new brand identity marks a pivotal step in our journey to become a deeply personalized, language-first platform that mirrors the diversity of Indian audiences,” says Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) president digital businesses and platforms Amit Goenka,. “Our strategic focus is clear – strengthen our footprint across India and global markets, deepen engagement through culturally relevant storytelling, and continue building a tech-enabled, scalable platform that’s personalized and intuitive. It’s a cultural shift in how consumers discover, connect with, and consume Indian entertainment globally.”

Zeel chief marketing officer Kartik Mahadev added: “Our brand campaign with the tagline Apni Bhasha. Apni Kahaniyan is rooted in the idea that language is belonging, a celebration of a deeply personal emotion. A story told in your language feels like it’s lived in and not just watched. Going across seven languages, this multi-lingual campaign is designed to resonate with large and small towns alike, including tier two , tier three cities as well as with global audiences. Rooted in our language-first content strategy and hyper-local personalization, this campaign brings to life Zee5’s belief that in your language, stories are endless.”

Zeel chief content officer Raghavendra Hunsur elaborated: “At Zee5, we’ve always believed that powerful storytelling begins with deep cultural insight. We’re deeply committed to serving audiences that have historically been underserved. By leaning into their realities, their languages, and their everyday stories, we’re expanding not just what we create-but who we create it for. Whether it’s long-form originals, short-form bites, or experimental formats, our goal is to delight viewers on their terms. This isn’t just a content strategy-with our language packs rollout, we are placing language at the centre of discovery, access, and engagement.”

Zee5’s reboot to Z5 aligns with parent company Zeel’s larger brand promise, “Yours Truly, Z”, and underscores the platform’s evolution into a truly Indian, truly inclusive digital home for stories in every shade and syllable.

Watch the brand film here: Z5 – My Language, My Stories.

June 8, 2025
Yupp TV helps crack down on global IPTV piracy racket

MUMBAI: A global piracy party just got shut down—with a solid rap on the knuckles, thanks to global OTT aggregation platform the Uday Reddy-run Yupp TV. The streamer has over the past two years been working with authorities in India and the US, which has now resulted in the bust-up of a sprawling illegal IPTV empire that’s been streaming premium Indian and international content without paying a paisa in licence fees.

The syndicate, operating under slick brand names like Boss IPTV, Guru IPTV, Tashan IPTV, Brampton IPTV, Punjabi IPTV, Vois IPTV, and UltrastreamTV, has been caught red-handed pushing pirated streams from the likes of Star, Sony, Zee, Sun Network, Aha, and even global OTT giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and major international sports leagues.

All this was being served to unsuspecting users via Android and Linux-based set-top boxes and apps on smart devices, aggressively marketed through websites, blogs, and social media—at throwaway rates far below legitimate subscriptions.

But it wasn’t just the broadcasters who were getting robbed. Authorities say user data—credit cards, passwords, even identities—was likely being harvested and possibly linked to more sinister operations including phishing, tax fraud, and even terrorism financing.

YuppTV, one of the legal players worst hit by the piracy plague, estimates South Asian broadcasters lose $200–$300 million every year to illegal IPTV operations. The platform triggered a previous crackdown in 2021, when a complaint led to the Faridabad Cyber Crime Branch arresting six people involved with Boss IPTV.

The matter has now gone international. YuppTV has filed a civil suit in the United States, represented by Goldstein Law Group, LLC, citing criminal copyright violations under 18 U.S.C. § 2319. According to GLP:
“Using pirate IPTV services may result in felony charges under U.S. law. Non-citizens could face deportation.” That is, criminal activities like watching pirated content has been brought under the immigration customs enforcement’s (ICE’s) ambit.

The latest blow came from Gujarat’s Gandhinagar Cyber Crime Unit, which arrested Mohammed Murtuza Ali, allegedly the kingpin behind Bos IPTV. Based out of Jalandhar, Punjab, his operation reportedly raked in a staggering ?700 crore (roughly $84 million) annually, with over five million subscribers.

Legal agencies are urging users to quit illegal streaming services immediately and switch to licensed alternatives like YuppTV (www.yupptv.com) to avoid falling foul of the law—or worse.

This crackdown makes it clear: the era of “chalega yaar, sasta hai” streaming might soon come with handcuffs attached.

June 8, 2025
Flipkart unveils annual beauty trends report with NielsenIQ at Glam Up Fest 2025

Mumbai: Flipkart’s beauty game just hit glow mode. At its flagship Glam Up Fest 2025, the homegrown e-commerce giant joined hands with NielsenIQ to unveil its first-ever Glam Up Annual Beauty Trends Report — a sizzling dossier on what’s hot, what’s viral, and what’s flying off carts in the beauty aisles.

The numbers are blinding. Five beauty products sold every second, over 148 million items purchased in 2024, and premium beauty growing at 70 per cent year-on-year. India’s online beauty obsession has officially entered its golden age — and Gen Z is running the show.

“The beauty landscape in India is in the midst of a vibrant transformation, and no one is driving it more than GenZs. Their evolving preferences, digital fluency, and expressive approach to beauty are reshaping the industry as we know It,” quipped Flipkart head of business (Cleartrip, FMCG, general merchandise) Manjari Singhal. “At Flipkart, we’ve always believed in staying close to the consumer. The Glam Up Trends Report is a reflection of that belief, an effort to listen, understand, and anticipate what beauty means to the next generation. This report is the result of a deep, collaborative effort between Flipkart and NielsenIQ teams.”

Here are sone of the key findings of the report:
* Skinimalism is the new glam: Sales of gel moisturisers shot up 120 per cent, serums by 80 per cent, and face washes cleaned up with a 123 per cent rise. Active ingredients like niacinamide, salicylic acid, and vitamin C are skincare royalty.
* Slugging, glazing, and SPF-ing: Sun protection is now a religion. Sunscreen sales have doubled; SPF product searches soared 76 per cent. Hydration-led rituals are here to stay.
* K-Beauty craze goes full K-drama: Snail mucin, hydrating essences, and sheet masks clocked 90 per cent YoY growth. Searches for Korean skincare grew 81 per cent. Seoul clearly has India’s skincare vote.
* Fragrance goes full ‘scent-sational’: Perfume isn’t just a splash; it’s a statement. Sales doubled, attars surged 2.5x, and gourmand notes (think marshmallow and brown sugar) are ruling scent playlists.
* Hair’s having its serum moment: Goodbye champi, hello peptides. Flipkart saw 2x growth in hair serums and an 85 per cent spike in scalp care. Haircare is now high-performance skincare in disguise.
* Cherry Cherry Lady and Surma surge: Glossy lips, barrier-friendly blush, and hybrid makeup formats are hot picks. Searches for Surma-inspired looks skyrocketed 33x, proving culture and colour can coexist.
* Beauty by geography: From Delhi’s dust to Kerala’s humidity, Flipkart is going hyper-local with assortments tailored to regional skin and hair woes.

Flipkart’s bet? Beauty is Gen Z-led, creator-powered, science-fuelled — and only just getting started.

Flipkart senior director research and insights Priyanka Bhargav, said: “Beauty today is bold, expressive, and constantly evolving and no one captures that spirit quite like Gen Z. Whether it’s their focus on skin health, passion for active ingredients, love for nostalgic aesthetics, or embrace of hybrid formats, they’re redefining the beauty playbook. The Glam Up Trends Report helps decode this dynamic shift. With rich data, real consumer voices, and cultural context, it highlights what’s truly resonating. Trends like Hydration Daze, Scientific Obsession, kiSKIN, and Cherry Cherry Lady go beyond surface appeal, they reflect how young India is engaging with beauty in deeper, more expressive ways. This report is the result of a thoughtful collaboration between the Flipkart Insights Team, the beauty and personal Care team, and our intelligence partner, NielsenIQ. We hope it sparks fresh thinking, challenges conventions, and inspires the next wave of beauty innovation.”

Flipkart’s Glam Up Report isn’t just a data drop — it’s a blueprint for beauty’s next billion. With a marketplace of over 1.4 million sellers, 500 million+ users, and innovations like UPI, no-cost EMI and easy returns, the platform is blending global trends with Indian needs at scale.

As Kartheek Kanumuru, Sakait Choudhary, Priyanka Bhargav and Manjari Singhal unveiled the report, one thing was clear: Flipkart is no longer just delivering products — it’s delivering beauty revolutions in a box.
Glam up, log on, and swipe right on that serum.

(Pictured above: Left to Right: Sakait Choudhary, Priyanka Bhargav, Manjari Singhal, Kartheek Kanumuru at Flipkart Glam Up 2025)

June 7, 2025
Content queen Ekta Kapoor inks storytelling deal with global streamer Netflix

MUMBAI: One’s a streaming juggernaut. The other, a serial storyteller. Together, they’re set to write India’s next big entertainment chapter, one frame at a time.

In a move that could reshape the contours of desi drama for global screens, Netflix and Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms Ltd. have inked a long-term creative partnership to co-create a diverse range of stories across formats and genres. The collaboration marks a major milestone for both powerhouses uniting Netflix’s premium production muscle with Kapoor’s cultural storytelling instinct.

With hits like Kathal, Pagglait, Jaane Jaan, and Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare already under their belt, the duo’s past collaborations have blended mass appeal with narrative nuance. But this new deal isn’t just a sequel, it’s a universe-expanding reboot.

Netflix India vice-president of content Monika Shergill summed up Ekta’s impact best. She elaborated: “Ekta has been a force in shaping Indian entertainment with unforgettable stories and characters that made it to pop culture, even before hashtags existed. Her creative instinct and deep understanding of the audience’s pulse have consistently set her apart in shaping what India chose to watch and love for more than two decades. At Netflix, our focus is to serve audiences with very diverse tastes and this collaboration will bring unique stories in rooted ways, marking an exciting new chapter in our creative journey.”

Now, with this partnership, Kapoor’s flair for emotionally resonant, rooted tales is set to stream straight into the hearts (and queues) of Netflix’s 300 million-plus subscribers across 190 countries.

For Kapoor, this tie-up isn’t just business, it’s a mission. Says she: “At Balaji Telefilms, storytelling has always been at the heart of everything we do — whether through cinema, television, or digital platforms. Partnering with Netflix, the world’s leading storytelling platform known for its premium content and constant innovation, is a big moment for us. It allows us to bring powerful, culturally rooted, and emotionally resonant stories to a global audience. The beginning of this new collaboration marks an exciting new chapter where we continue to push creative boundaries and deliver content that entertains, inspires, and connects people everywhere.”

The first untitled series from the slate is already in advanced development, and if history is any cue, Kapoor’s next wave of characters will likely live rent-free in the minds of audiences for years to come.

With Netflix betting big on local stories with global resonance and Balaji armed with two decades of insight into what India loves to watch the new partnership promises not just eyeballs, but emotional buy-in. After all, when Balaji’s drama meets Netflix’s dynamism, expect nothing less than a streaming superhit.

June 7, 2025
Nippon TV’s Golden SixTones lands on Netflix from 6 June

TOKYO: In a pitch-perfect move for pop fans, Netflix is rolling out Nippon TV’s Sunday night sensation Golden SixTones for global streaming starting 6 June. The zany variety show, fronted by Japan’s chart-topping boy band SixTones (pronounced “stones”), becomes the first regular entertainment series from Nippon TV to be snapped up by the streamer for international audiences.

Launched in April 2025 and clocking in at 60 minutes per episode, Golden SixTones has quickly hit the high notes in Japan — bagging ratings gold and topping social media charts every week. With Netflix now turning up the volume, the show will be subtitled in multiple languages and streamed worldwide, alongside its existing availability on Hulu and TVer in Japan.

Packed with laughs, gourmet grub, quizzes and madcap competitions, Golden SixTones is a riotous studio variety show aimed at all age groups. The band’s infectious energy, mixed with celebrity guests and unpredictable segments, has already struck a chord with fans.

Nippon TV producer Yoshihiro Miyazaki called the global release “an immense honour”, adding, “We can’t wait for fans around the world to experience the electric vibe that SixTones brings each week.”

Netflix director of content Rie Sawaoka echoed the enthusiasm: “We’re thrilled to partner with Nippon TV featuring the popular boy band SixTones, to audiences around the world. Netflix is committed to bringing the best of uniquely Japanese entertainment to our members globally, and we are honored to bring the energetic charm of SixTones and this wonderful program, produced by Nippon TV, to their existing fanbase and new viewers alike. We eagerly anticipate Golden SixTones captivating audiences worldwide on Netflix, allowing them to experience the power of Japanese entertainment.”

With Golden SixTones now marching onto the global stage, it’s clear that this boy band isn’t just striking a chord at home — they’re set to rock screens worldwide.

June 6, 2025

Enhance Your Bets: How to Analyze Sports Events for Winning Football Bets

How to analyse sporting events and make accurate football bets at MostBet India

The simple design, decreasing the possibility of competitive odds but also, new bonuses are the things that lead MostBet to be a betting favorite among the Indians. But if you have the ambition of becoming a really accurate forecaster, the fact that you rely on gut feeling for placing a bet is just not going to cut it. The most important aspect of getting the right predictions is researching the game properly and finding the right ways to bet on them.

We can discuss in detail how match analysis can help in effective results in a football game, and? What are the chances for victory at the MostBet official website?

Why Proper Analysis Matters in Football Betting

While casino or lottery games are down to fifty-fifty chances for winning, sports betting especially in the case of football leaves you with opportunities to benefit from your knowledge and undeniably hard work. Checking the most recent facts about teams, their performance history, and player status are some of the key factors that can make a dramatic difference in your performance.

Official MostBet also provides team statistics, the latest team news aside from the score being regularly updated; expert advice and professional insights are all posted for Indian users to make a more qualified/favorable decision over betting. The argument can be that analysis is sort of your direct advantage in a decision-making game where gaining the required info at the right time puts you in a place opposite to that of the vast majority who are still deciding the priority of this event.

Step-by-Step Guide to Analyzing Football Matches

1. Study the Team Form

The team’s recent form is one of the most important signs for predicting its future potential. Investigate the results over the past 5-10 matches. Make sure to see the following:

Winning streaks or losing trends
Goals scored and conceded
Key injuries or suspensions

2. Head-to-Head Records

Some teams win over other teams regularly. Researching the history of matches helps uncover predictable behavior.

3. Home and Away Performance

A few teams enjoy playing only at home much more, while without a doubt, others are better on the road. This should be considered as a part of your betting strategy.

4. Check the League Table

Since the ranking on the table is suggestive of the consistency, the higher-ranked teams have better winning chances, particularly against the lower-half ones.

5. Weather and Pitch Conditions

While it does not happen often, bad weather or the dirty state of the pitch can change the outcome of a match—especially for teams that rely more on skills rather than their physicality. Unfavorable or severe weather and poor pitch conditions can make a big difference in the game results.

Types of Bets You Can Place on MostBet India

Bet Type	Explanation
Match Result (1X2)	Bet on home win (1), draw (X), or away win (2)
Over/Under Goals	Predict whether the total goals will be over/under a number
Both Teams to Score	Will both sides score at least one goal?
Handicap Bets	Useful when one team is heavily favored
Live/In-Play Bets	Place bets while the match is ongoing

Is MostBet Legal in India?

A common question is: Is MostBet legal in India? Yes, MostBet 2025 is under an international Curacao license and thus, legal in India and welcomes Indian users. Despite the fact that in many states of India physical betting is restricted by law, online platforms like MostBet betting are found to be legitimate as they are based abroad and are using INR-friendly payment methods.

Why Choose MostBet for Football Betting?

Localized Experience: The MostBet India site is customized for Indian players, who can deposit in rupees and also get local customer support.
Wide Market Coverage: People can place bets on such football leagues as Premier League, La Liga, Champions League, and even Indian Super League.
Live Betting Options: Gamers can wager on an event during its progress and not via pre-match bets only.
Fast Withdrawals: MostBet uses UPI, PayTM, and cryptocurrencies that all provide fast transactions.

Final Thoughts

If you love football and are looking for ways to make money out of that love of yours, MostBet Indian betting can be a very exciting and super-financially rewarding activity. But of course, only when the approach is logical. Through the combination of game analysis, wise bankroll management, and betting platform tools, one can come up with the best solution instead of always being on the verge of betting on impulse.

With this information, subscribe to the MostBet platform, check out the stats, get some tips and thus be a customer of smarter football betting from this day. It doesn’t matter what tournament or league you prefer to bet on, remember the one thing that will elevate your sports betting to the next level—knowledge! The MostBet platform has all the information you need, and you can be sure that the game will take place as stated before in order to start placing your bets.

June 6, 2025

Sunil Raina calls the shots as new managing director at Lava International

MUMBAI: Sunil Raina has officially taken the reins as managing director at Lava International, stepping into the hot seat after a stellar 15-year rise through the ranks at the homegrown mobile brand.

From leading marketing at Xolo to steering strategy as president and business head, and most recently serving as executive director, Raina has been the driving force behind Lava’s brand identity, market expansion, and product innovation over the years.

His journey with the company began in 2010 as chief marketing officer, and since then, he’s been pivotal in Lava’s evolution from an emerging player to a Make in India torchbearer.

With earlier stints at Telenor, Reliance Communications, Airtel, and Tata Teleservices, Raina’s telecom roots run deep. His marketing chops and GTM savvy are expected to play a key role as Lava navigates India’s fiercely competitive smartphone battleground.

Industry insiders say Raina’s elevation signals a renewed push for domestic dominance and global ambition, as the brand looks to consolidate its positioning against Chinese rivals and double down on manufacturing, design, and distribution.

As the handset wars heat up, all eyes are on how Lava’s homegrown hero plans to dial up growth—and ring in a fresh era of desi disruption.

June 5, 2025