Category: Documentary

  • Game of Change: A New Cinematic Blueprint for Education, Leadership & Social Impact

    Game of Change: A New Cinematic Blueprint for Education, Leadership & Social Impact

    In a media landscape dominated by fiction and celebrity, Game of Change is flipping the script. Premiered across Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai, this new-age docufilm series brings real stories, real people, and real transformation to the big screen. But this isn’t just a movie — it’s the beginning of a movement.

    Helmed by Siddharth Rajsekar, digital coach and founder of the Internet Lifestyle Hub, Game of Change blends documentary realism with cinematic storytelling to deliver what mainstream cinema rarely attempts: authenticity. The first installment, featuring eight powerful stories of personal and community-based transformation, is already being hailed as a genre-defining moment in Indian content creation.

    “We’re not here to entertain alone,” said Siddharth Rajsekar at his annual online event Reboot 2025, where he unveiled a video with his long-term vision for Game of Change. “We’re here to remind India how to learn — by returning to purpose, community, and inner alignment.”

    Rewriting the Script of Education

    At the heart of Game of Change lies a critique — and a call to action. The current education system, digital reformer Siddharth Rajsekar argues, is a colonial relic that trains compliance, not creativity. In contrast, the film series draws on India’s ancient learning heritage — from Nalanda, Takshashila, Kanchipuram, Madurai, Nabadwip to Udupi — where knowledge was passed down through community interaction, mentorship, and lived experience.

    The docufilm envisions a modern-day gurukul for the digital age: a hybrid model that fuses storytelling with technology, personal growth with AI-powered scalability.

    From Documentary to Docu-Movement

    The cinematic format of Game of Change is deliberately unconventional. It features real-life individuals — not actors — who’ve risen above circumstances to lead, serve, and inspire. These are stories of educators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders who’ve become modern role models in an age of celebrity saturation.

    “Gen Z and Gen Alpha don’t just want to be entertained. They want to see themselves in the story,” said Siddharth Rajsekar. “They’re not looking for fantasy. They’re looking for alignment.”

    Strategic Rollout, Cultural Relevance
    The decision to premiere the film in three major metros wasn’t just for visibility — it was part of a place-based strategy to ignite community-led action. Each screening was followed by emotional applause and discussions, underscoring the film’s power to spark real dialogue and introspection.

    With versions already dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and English — and others like Kannada underway — the creators are preparing for a nationwide theatrical rollout and a subsequent OTT release.

    Cinema Meets Community

    Perhaps the most striking aspect of Game of Change is how it turns viewers into participants. Through its growing online ecosystem — including webinars, learning journeys, and coaching communities — the film invites its audience to move beyond passive consumption.

    “We’re not building fans,” Siddharth noted. “We’re building a family of change-makers.”

    This model aligns with current trends in participatory media, where communities around content become more valuable than the content itself. It also reflects a shift in youth media engagement — from binge-watching to belonging.

    What’s Next: Scaling the Movement

    Building on the momentum, the team announced plans for the next installment of Game of Change — a full-length feature film currently in production. While the current version serves as a pilot with a modest budget of 1.5 CR, the upcoming film will expand on its core themes in a 90–120 minute cinematic journey.

    Looking ahead, Game of Change plans to integrate AI and emerging tech into future installments — not for spectacle, but to explore how technology and ancient wisdom can co-exist. This narrative isn’t about resisting innovation; it’s about humanizing it.

    With this vision, Game of Change enters the rare space where storytelling becomes system-building — offering not just inspiration but infrastructure for social transformation.

  • Travelxp wins National Film Award for ‘Timeless Tamil Nadu’ at the 71st National Film  Awards

    Travelxp wins National Film Award for ‘Timeless Tamil Nadu’ at the 71st National Film Awards

    MUMBAI : Travelxp has announced that its original travel documentary Timeless Tamil Nadu has been awarded  Best Arts/Culture Film in the Non-Feature Films category at the prestigious 71st  National Film Awards for the year 2023.

    Directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh, Timeless Tamil Nadu is a powerful and poetic  tribute to the cultural soul of India’s southernmost state. The film is narrated through the  lens of celebrated travel host Alex Outhwaite, who finally fulfills her long-standing dream  of visiting Tamil Nadu. The film captures the grandeur of ancient temples, the serenity of  landscapes, and the warmth of people who speak a language she doesn’t understand — yet whose stories she deeply connects with.

    “It’s a wonderful feeling to receive this honor,” said Kamakhya Narayan Singh, director of  Timeless Tamil Nadu. “After 17 years of creating travel stories with Travelxp, this award  feels incredibly special. With this documentary, we wanted to go beyond destinations, to  explore the essence of Tamil Nadu’s culture and people. “

    Nisha Chothani, Producer of Timeless Tamil Nadu, added: “Winning the National Award is  incredibly humbling, and it reinforces our belief that travel storytelling, when done with  authenticity and heart, can create lasting emotional connections. We would like to thank  the Government of India, Government of Tamil Nadu and the esteemed jury members for  this recognition, it means the world to our entire team.”

    With this honour, Travelxp cements its reputation as a storyteller that doesn’t just show  the world, but deeply feels it. Timeless Tamil Nadu is a celebration of a place that has  stood the test of time, and a reminder of the enduring power of cultural narratives told with  heart, sensitivity, and cinematic soul.

    Timeless Tamil Nadu is available to stream globally on the Travelxp app and TV channel,  reaching over 200 million homes across 119 countries in 25+ languages.

  • Truth wins the reel war as While We Watched bags Harvard’s top doc prize

    Truth wins the reel war as While We Watched bags Harvard’s top doc prize

    MUMBAI: Lights, camera, resistance Vinay Shukla’s While We Watched is still making noise, and this time, on the hallowed grounds of Harvard. The searing documentary, which follows acclaimed journalist Ravish Kumar through the stormy corridors of a crumbling newsroom, has just clinched the 100,000 dollars Grand Prize at the inaugural Henry Awards for Public Interest Documentary.

    Hosted by the Shorenstein Center at Harvard Kennedy School, the Henry Awards honour nonfiction storytelling that champions the public good with rigour and cinematic flair. While We Watched, a portrait of one man’s fight for journalistic integrity in the face of a fake news deluge, dwindling ratings, and institutional pressure struck a raw nerve with the jury.

    The 2025 Henry Awards Jury comprising Ra’anan Alexandrowicz, Mandy Chang, Petra Costa, Ron Nixon and Michèle Stephenson released the following statement about the winner of Grand Prize “While we watched is an exceptional cautionary tale that takes an unflinching look at the State’s violent crackdown on freedom of expression through the experience of a journalist who dares to defend his integrity. Ravish Kumar is an unforgettable character. His specific story manages to instantly transcend its locality and become a real time documentation of the attack against the free press. The film is a brave effort by the filmmakers that should serve as a warning to us all.”

    Sharing his joy Vinay Shukla says, “It’s an incredible honour to receive the Henry Grand Prize especially from an institution like Harvard, which has long stood for intellectual rigour, public service, and the pursuit of truth. While We Watched is a deeply personal film not just about one journalist, but about what it means to hold on to your values when everything around you is shifting. We made this film against impossible odds: with no money, partners dropping out mid-production, and constant uncertainty about its future. To see it capture the zeitgeist the way it has over the past few years has been truly heartening. The film premiered at Toronto International Film Festival in 2022, and here I am in 2025 – still accepting awards for it. The prize money is the same as *Kaun Banega Crorepati*, so honestly, I feel like I’ve just won KBC – which is quite something, considering I wasn’t the smart sibling.”

    Directed by Vinay Shukla and produced by Luke W Moody and Khushboo Ranka, the film had already made waves when it premiered at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, bagging the Amplify Voices Award. But three years later, it’s still very much in the limelight garnering critical acclaim and now, a cash prize on par with winning Kaun Banega Crorepati.

    A haunting meditation on modern journalism, While We Watched isn’t just a love letter to press freedom, it’s a sharp reminder of what’s at stake when truth becomes a casualty. And as long as voices like Ravish Kumar’s continue to echo through frames like Shukla’s, the battle is far from over.

  • Yash Raj Films promotes Hemant Kundnani to sr general manager communications

    Yash Raj Films promotes Hemant Kundnani to sr general manager communications

    MUMBAI:  Hemant Kundnani has been promoted to senior general manager – communications at Yash Raj Films (YRF), one of India’s most prestigious film production companies. The promotion comes after three years of service at the Hindi cinema  powerhouse, where he previously held the position of general manager – communications.

    Kundnani brings industry experience to his elevated role, having previously served as head of marketing at Pooja Entertainment from March 2020 to August 2021. During his tenure there, he oversaw marketing for Bellbottom, notably one of the first film projects globally to complete production during the coronavirus pandemic.

    Before joining Pooja Entertainment, Kundnani spent nearly six years at The Walt Disney Co in increasingly senior positions. He served as senior manager for digital strategy, analytics and alliances at Fox Star Studios (a Disney subsidiary) from December 2016 to March 2020, where he focused on understanding cinema audiences and building data analytics capabilities to optimise marketing expenditure.

    His Disney career began in the interactive division, where as manager of products, marketing and alliances, he spearheaded a global strategic alliance with the International Cricket Council to develop the official game of the 2015 Cricket World Cup. The game achieved the number one position in sports app rankings across India, UK and Australia, garnering one million downloads within three days of release.

    Kundnani’s entertainment industry credentials also include a three-year stint at UTV, where he worked as senior associate marketing for UTV Stars movie channels. During this period, he contributed to the Walk of the Stars  project, described as “a tribute to the big stars of Hindi cinema” and the first attraction of its kind in India.

  • Old guard goes at UFO Moviez; new blood elevated

    Old guard goes at UFO Moviez; new blood elevated

    MUMBAI: Come 1 January 2025, and a new senior management team will be in place at the digital cinema solutions leader UFO Moviez. The Sanjay Gaikwad-headed firm  has gone in for a total organisational restructuring by promoting some executives, giving them additional responsibilities, and superannuating others. 

    These executives had been given extensions in their employment to help the company tide over the dire consequences that the cinema industry and UFO Moviez faced following covid.

    Among those who have been elevated and will be re-designated by 1 January 2025  figure: 

    * Group enterprises sales head & chief marketing officer Siddharth Bhardwaj has been moved up to  CEO digital cinema.
    * Chief operating officer – India operations Pradeep Shetty  has been promoted to deputy  chief executive officer -digital cinema.
    * Senior vice-president – engineering Kaushik Mamania   has been moved up to  chief  information officer.  
    *  Senior vice-president – technical operations Nitin Nohani has been raised to chief technical officer. 
         
    Amongst the executives who are being superannuated by 31 December figure: chief purchase & logistics Kamalaksha Bhoja Suvarna; CEO – distribution  and film services A Pankaj Jaysinh; chief technology officer Sanjay Chavan; CEO rural exhibition Shirish Deshpande; chief strategy officer Sushil Agrawal and CEO—special projects Vishnu Patel.

    UFO Moviez said that the  superannuated executives would be  moved to advisory roles for a certain period to help in the transition. 

    The company made these announcements in a regulatory filing with the BSE last weekend. 

  • Prasar Bharti & Textiles Dept. launch series on untold stories of Maharashtra weavers

    Prasar Bharti & Textiles Dept. launch series on untold stories of Maharashtra weavers

    Mumbai: Bringing to you, Kargha – Stories from the loom, an upcoming series that will spotlight the rich tapestry of Maharashtra’s textile heritage is currently in the works.

    This fictional series is set to delve into the untold stories behind the intricate motifs and traditional looms, celebrating the artistry and craftsmanship of India’s talented weavers and loom industry.

    Compelling narratives and characterisation, authentic portrayals and immersive plots of the series will pitch the mesmerising world of traditional Indian textiles on a global stage.

    Creating an archive and repository of the art of this culturally rich industry and craft, the series will invite audiences to discover the cultural significance and timeless beauty woven into every piece.  Watch out for the series and join this journey as we celebrate the legacy of our weavers and their remarkable contributions to the world of textiles. 

  • GRB Media Ranch announces deals for two political docs

    GRB Media Ranch announces deals for two political docs

    Mumbai: GRB Media Ranch president Sophie Ferron has announced license deals with Mediawan for France, Andorra, Dom Tom, Monaco, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland for #UNTRUTH: The Psychology of Trumpism, an important, timely political documentary as well as #UNFIT: The Psychology of Donald Trump which was licensed to Doc Alliance Films in the Czech Republic.

    #UNTRUTH: The Psychology of Trumpism is a documentary about Trumpism and the authoritarian strain that it seeded in the American political landscape, while #UNFIT: The Psychology of Donald Trump provides a searing look at the growth of white Christian nationalism in the U.S. Both docs are produced and directed by multiple Emmy award winning and Doc Shop Productions’ executive producer and president Dan Partland.

    Ferron stated: “GRB Media Ranch is thrilled to announce these deals with Mediawan and Doc Alliance Films for timely docs #UNTRUTH: The Psychology of Trumpism and #UNFIT: The Psychology of Donald Trump, respectively, especially in this highly charged political time, during which is arguably one of the most important U.S. elections in history.  At GRB Media Ranch, we’ve got stories – the most important stories!”

  • Nilesh Maniyar & Shonali Bose premiere ‘A Fly On the Wall’ at Busan Film Festival

    Nilesh Maniyar & Shonali Bose premiere ‘A Fly On the Wall’ at Busan Film Festival

    Mumbai: Having co-written landmark titles such as The Sky is Pink and Margarita with a Straw acclaimed filmmaker duo Nilesh Maniyar and Shonali Bose’s latest work, a feature documentary, is set to have its world premiere at the prestigious 29th Busan International Film Festival.

    The film has been selected for the wide-angle documentary competition section, which highlights unique and inspiring cinematic documentary filmmaking voices from around the globe.

    In this powerful and heartfelt film directed by the duo, a friendship walks the distance between life and death. With just a week to go before their friend Chika Kapadia’s appointment for physician-assisted suicide, Nilesh encourages Shonali to turn the camera on herself too and become part of the story. Alongside editor Tushar Ghogale they weave a profound tale of the choice of dignity in death and friendship. The film is set against the stunning backdrop of Switzerland, a location ironically familiar for many iconic Bollywood films.

    Speaking about their selection at Busan, Director Nilesh Maniyar said, “Chika was a friend who gave more than he took. And what a life-altering impression he left on me in his last days. Hence it was only apt to tell his story via a lens of friendship that Chika and Shonali shared for 25 long years. With the premiere at Busan, we hope to further the conversation about the right to dignity in death, as in life.”

    “Fulfilling Chika’s dying wish and shooting this film has been the hardest challenge of my filmmaking career. This film is my love letter to Chika and to life. I am honoured to premiere it at Busan, a festival that values such deeply personal stories.” added Filmmaker Shonali Bose.

    A Fly On the Wall marks the third feature film collaboration between Maniyar and Bose presented at the Busan Film Festival, following The Sky Is Pink and Margarita with a Straw.

  • DocuBay to premiere ‘Kargil 1999: The Untold Story of the Indian Air Force’ on I-day

    DocuBay to premiere ‘Kargil 1999: The Untold Story of the Indian Air Force’ on I-day

    Mumbai: To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Kargil War, IN10 Media Network’s premium global streaming platform, DocuBay, unveils an exclusive documentary, Kargil 1999: The Untold Story of the Indian Air Force. The film that brings forth the critical role of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the Kargil War was screened in Delhi on the 9 of August in the presence of Senior Air Force officials and veterans who had played a significant role in this operation.

    The film significantly enhances DocuBay’s robust content slate of originals that showcase real stories covering topics like technology, culture, society, crime, relationships and more. It documents the IAF’s strategic and tactical prowess during Operation Safed Sagar, launched in May 1999 to support the Indian Army’s efforts to eliminate Pakistani encroachments in Kargil. The operation saw the Air Force deploy its best men and machines to support the military endeavour. The film offers edge-of-the-seat storytelling as this was the first time combat air power was used in the mountain ranges above 15,000 feet altitude and how laser-guided bombs were created and operated by the Indian Air Force during the war, appealing to a vast global audience.

    DocuBay COO Girish Dwibhashyam said, “We are honoured to collaborate with the Indian Air Force to bring Kargil 1999: The Untold Story of the Indian Air Force to our audiences. The film will not only delight defence and aviation enthusiasts but also be a gripping tale that will enthral audiences worldwide.”

    Featuring real-life accounts of IAF heroes and brings viewers closer to the never-seen-before action. Their stories, supported by rare footage and personal diaries, are inspiring tales of innovation and bravery.

    Juggernaut Productions CEO Samar Khan said, “This is the first time that Operation Safed Sagar is being documented and presented to the audience. We aim to bring to light the untold stories of these heroes, providing a detailed and personal account of their experiences. This documentary is a tribute to their sacrifices and a powerful reminder of their crucial role in securing our nation’s victory.”

    Starting 15 August 2024, Kargil 1999: The Untold Story of the Indian Air Force, produced by Media Indica in association with Juggernaut Productions, will be available to stream on DocuBay.

  • DocuBay’s ‘Bad Toys Inc.’ uncovers India’s booming pleasure toy market

    DocuBay’s ‘Bad Toys Inc.’ uncovers India’s booming pleasure toy market

    Mumbai: DocuBay, a platform for intriguing premium documentaries, part of IN10 Media Network brings you an engrossing tale of India’s little-known love for sex toys with their latest DocuBay Original release ‘Bad Toys Inc.’ The forty-five-minute film is all set to reveal a lot about evolving pleasure pursuits of individuals in the country!

    The documentary is a no-holds-barred look at the booming business of pleasure toys in India. While the global sex toy market is worth a massive $35 billion, India itself is touted to touch an impressive $200 million in the next five years. With very little in-depth research on the subject till now, the film dives deep into India’s vivid and vibrant world of intimate toys, taking us on a whirlwind journey of many surprising facts and gripping stories.

    ‘Bad Toys Inc.’ charts the quirky geography of sex toys, and how every Indian region has its own preference of the type of pleasure toys. From Assam embracing the most amount of BDSM gear, Mumbai seeing maximum sales of fetish products, and West Bengal being a big fan of edible underwear, ‘Bad Toys Inc.’ springs an array of pleasant surprises on the viewer as it unravels how, where, when and sex toys are used.

    What also makes the documentary unique is the bouquet of consumer stories it presents of individuals on the need for pleasure toys. ‘Bad Toys Inc.’ takes us to the valleys of Kashmir to tell the story of a girl who suffers from Vaginismus and finally discovers her path to pleasure through toys. It transports us to the lanes of Lucknow to introduce a couple who spice up their love life through intimate toys. It flies us to Pune, where a heartbroken girl chooses sex toys over a partner after suffering in many toxic relationships. Many such anecdotes are part of the film’s engrossing narrative.

    Blending an immersive plot with interesting trivia and incredible stats, ‘Bad Toys Inc.’ unveils things about India’s pleasure toy industry that most people could never predict. May it be the fact that pleasure toys are actually legal in India even though many think otherwise, or the forgotten truth that pleasure accessories have existed in India since ancient times, the documentary uncovers many riveting tid-bits that viewers may not have known about.  

    Featuring appearances by eminent experts including renowned sexologist and Padma Shri awardee Dr Prakash Kothari, ‘Bad Toys Inc.’ delivers insights into sexual evolution, fun trade secrets, scintillating data and powerful stories through a fascinating tale of the country’s love for pleasure.

    The film sheds light on the entrepreneurs behind start-ups that are bringing innovative sex toys to the fore. Founders of brands like I am Besharam, That Sassy Thing and The Sangya Project spill exciting trade secrets on how young India thinks about sex. You also get a gender specific view of sex toy shopping. Although men buy the most amount of sex toys at 64 per cent, women make the most amount of repeat purchases.

    ‘DocuBay’ is synonymous with path breaking content and genre defining documentaries. The platform is now responsible for some of the most watched and acclaimed documentaries in the digital space. ‘Water Mafia’, Bogus Phone Operators’, ‘Plastic Fantastic’ and ’12 Digital Masterstroke’ are some of the brand’s premiere titles that fetched massive viewership numbers online.

    Talking about the latest DocuBay Original, DocuBay COO Girish Dwibhashyam said, “Bad Toys Inc. is a documentary on a topic seldom explored in the mainstream. The in-depth look at the entire pleasure toy business in India will surprise audiences. In fact we too were astonished at some of the facts uncovered during the research of the film. Bad Toys Inc. will serve as an engrossing and novel viewing experience for audiences who like to indulge in real stories with a difference”.

    Producer of this film and Black Iris founder and director Richa Sahai said, “As a company, we’re always itching to produce bold, thought provoking content and Bad Toys Inc was a great opportunity to do that. It’s been challenging, exciting and super fun!  Quite a thrill to see people from different corners of the country open up about their most intimate experiences. Clearly India is far more progressive than what’s commonly perceived and we hope the risk appetite to showcase such content only grows.”.

    New India needs new stories! DocuBay’s ‘Bad Toys Inc.’ is one such documentary that serves as an engaging watch as well as an eye opener about the evolution of pleasure toys in India. If you enjoy watching films that entertain and enlighten, head to www.docubay.com, and get hooked onto ‘Bad Toys Inc.’.

    The film is set to release on Friday, 26 July.