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Category: News Headline

  • Explurger goes global: India’s travel social app wins praise from Sonu Sood

    Explurger goes global: India’s travel social app wins praise from Sonu Sood

    MUMBAI: Bollywood actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood has put the spotlight on Explurger, a homegrown social media platform for travellers, echoing prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for Indian innovation to go global.

     

     

    Launched three years ago by Jitin Bhatia and Sonu Sood, Explurger has rapidly grown to over 17 million users worldwide. The travel-focused app combines AI-powered travelogues, real-time journey tracking, and community sharing, all under the mantra ‘Get Out – Get Social.’ Rather than endless scrolling, the platform encourages users to explore new destinations, check in with Explurge-ins, complete bucket lists, and earn gamified rewards.

    “The Prime Minister’s call for innovation within India’s digital ecosystem highlights the country’s confidence in building its own technology frameworks,” said founder and CEO Jitin Bhatia. “Explurger embodies that mindset entirely developed in India, powered by Indian talent, and designed to resonate globally. We want to show that Indian tech can innovate and inspire on the world stage.”

    PM Modi has repeatedly emphasised the importance of homegrown solutions. In a recent speech, he urged Indians to buy and sell Swadeshi goods and nurture platforms that meet domestic needs while competing internationally.

    With its unique blend of real-world adventure and social connectivity, Explurger has become a shining example of Make-in-India ingenuity in the social media space. As the platform continues its global push, it demonstrates that India isn’t just building apps, it’s building experiences that travel the world.

     

  • RR Kabel crowns 41 winners of Kabel star season four scholarship in Mumbai

    RR Kabel crowns 41 winners of Kabel star season four scholarship in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: Lighting up futures, one Kabel Dost at a time. RR Kabel, India’s leading consumer electrical and wire manufacturer, has announced the winners of its Kabel star scholarship program 2025 in Mumbai, celebrating four years of nurturing talent with a total commitment of Rs four crore.

    The scholarship, designed for children of electricians who passed their 10th-grade exams, provides Rs 10,000 each to deserving students, helping them pursue higher secondary education. This year, Mumbai witnessed 41 honourees, recognised at a special ceremony at La Banquet, Odean Mall, alongside top performers from season two, who also received laptops to support their studies.

    Since its launch in 2022, the Kabel Star Scholarship has selected nearly 4,000 students nationwide, reinforcing RR Kabel’s vision of an educated and empowered India. By opening new educational pathways, the initiative ensures that financial constraints do not limit ambition, inspiring countless success stories among past recipients.

    “Our Kabel Dost have always been more than business partners, they are the foundation of our journey. With the Kabel star scholarship, we’re opening doors to possibilities that can change lives for generations,” said RR Global director Kirti Kabra. “Every child who dreams big deserves a chance to achieve it, and this program ensures no dream is limited by circumstance.”

    For the winners and their families, the event was a moment of pride and emotion, recognising perseverance, dedication, and the drive to build successful careers. Through this program, RR Kabel continues to invest in the next generation of leaders, giving children of electricians a strong platform to unlock their full potential.

     

  • Beyond the reel, India’s tech dreams take shape

    Beyond the reel, India’s tech dreams take shape

    MUMBAI: Lights, camera, revolution! The silver screen is turning digital, and India’s film industry is ready for its next big act, one fuelled by technology, imagination and a dash of innovation.

    At FICCI Frames 2025, the session “Beyond Imagination: The Future of Filmmaking” brought together industry leaders to explore how new-age tools like AI, VFX and virtual production are transforming storytelling. The discussion came in the wake of the Maharashtra government’s Rs 3,268 crore AVGC-XR Policy 2025, an ambitious plan to make the state a global powerhouse for animation, gaming and extended reality.

    DNEG co-founder and president Merzin Tavaria set the tone for the session. “Content is still king,” he said. “Technology should help us tell better stories, not distract from them. AI is here to stay as a tool, but it must never replace the individual.” He added that India’s post-pandemic film resurgence has proven the world-class calibre of its creators.

    Phantomfx founder and CEO Bejoy Arputharaj urged filmmakers to evolve with technology. “Filmmakers must embrace the changing landscape,” he said. “Virtual production and AI aren’t here to take over, they’re here to help us imagine what was once impossible.”

    From Japan, Dwarf Studios CEO Shuhei Harada emphasised originality over imitation. “The world doesn’t need more copies,” he said. “India should focus on creating authentic, original entertainment. Bringing international talent here can help local creators learn new methods and grow faster.”

    Moscow Film Cluster deputy director Georgy Prokopov called for international collaboration. “Russia and India can build a technology bridge,” he suggested. “Shared virtual production infrastructure can reduce costs and accelerate creative exchange.”

    Meanwhile, FICCI AVGC-XR Forum chair and Graphiti Studios co-founder Munjal Shroff stressed the need for India to sharpen its technical edge. “We already have the talent and the tools,” he said. “Now it’s about mastery, using technology not as a crutch but as a canvas.”

    As the session wrapped, the takeaway was clear: the next blockbuster might not just be shot in India, it could be built here, pixel by pixel. Because in the cinema of tomorrow, the script won’t just be written. It will be rendered.
     

  • Gramiyaa packs cold-pressed oils in cartons to preserve freshness

    Gramiyaa packs cold-pressed oils in cartons to preserve freshness

    BENGALURU: India’s cooking oil aisle is getting a makeover. Gramiyaa, a Bengaluru-based producer of wood cold-pressed oils, has launched what it claims is the country’s first gable-top carton packaging for cooking oils—a format designed to keep oils fresher for longer.

    The redesigned packaging, unveiled under the brand’s Fresh Drip campaign, swaps conventional plastic and glass bottles for fully opaque, nitrogen-flushed cartons. The company says this locks in freshness from seed to seal, preserving aroma and nutrition that typically degrade in traditional packaging.

    “Packaging is only part of the story,” said Gramiyaa founder Sibi Manivannan. “We go the extra mile to ensure our oils stay fresh naturally.” The brand employs natural sedimentation and cotton fabric filtration to remove seed residue that can turn rancid and accelerate spoilage.

    Each batch undergoes a three-step process: natural seed sedimentation allows particles to settle slowly; cotton fabric filtration removes residual sediments; and nitrogen flush sealing removes oxygen before sealing to prevent oxidation and nutrient loss. The carton’s multi-layer opaque design blocks light and air, whilst a double-seal provides an airtight barrier that locks in aroma even after opening.

    All Gramiyaa oils are wood cold-pressed in-house at the company’s facility in Trichy, Tamil Nadu. Each carton features a QR code revealing exactly when and where the oil was pressed. The brand controls the entire supply chain—sourcing directly from farmers, manufacturing, lab-testing and packaging on-site.

    “The cooking oil industry hasn’t changed its packaging in nearly a century,” added Manivannan. “We asked ourselves—if freshness is what matters most, why not design for it?”

    The brand offers a range of wood cold-pressed oils, including groundnut, coconut, sesame and mustard oil, catering to diverse culinary traditions whilst preserving natural flavour and aroma.

    As health-conscious Indians increasingly reject heavily processed oils, Gramiyaa is betting that what works for milk and juice can work for the kitchen staple that’s been sold in bottles since before independence. The real test will be whether consumers are willing to pour their cooking oil from a carton.

  • Globecast unveils content-sharing platform for sports rights holders

    Globecast unveils content-sharing platform for sports rights holders

    MONACO: Sports broadcasters are getting a new weapon in the battle for eyeballs. Globecast will showcase Content Exchange, its latest media platform solution, at Sportel 2025 in Monaco from 20 to 22 October.

    The platform, designed for rights holders and sports federations, offers a unified, all-IP infrastructure combining satellite, fibre and hybrid cloud technologies. It enables seamless acquisition, processing and delivery of both live and on-demand content, creating a secure hub that connects content owners with broadcasters and unlocks new monetisation opportunities.

    “With the launch of Globecast Content Exchange, we’re transforming the way sports content is delivered and shared,” said Globecast head of digital media development Steve MacMurray. “It gives rights holders unmatched flexibility and control to distribute highlights, live feeds and on-demand content to partners and fans worldwide, all through a simplified, scalable and secure platform.”

    Visitors to stand G.05 can experience the technology first-hand. The solution promises scalable transmission and processing for demanding media applications, offering rightsholders greater control over distribution in today’s hybrid media landscape.

    Globecast will also spotlight its recent sports collaborations. Racer  Network, which will broadcast over 300 live motorsport events in 2025, has partnered with the company to enhance quality and streamline delivery using advanced graphics and cloud playout. Meanwhile, Globecast’s extended partnership with Premier Padel as global delivery partner for the 2025 and 2026 seasons supports the sport’s international expansion through a fully IP- and cloud-based distribution model.

  • Doordarshan and Collective Media reimagine the Mahabharat with AI

    Doordarshan and Collective Media reimagine the Mahabharat with AI

    NEW DELHI: India’s most celebrated epic is getting a technological makeover. Collective Media Network’s Historyverse has unveiled an AI-led reimagining of the Mahabharat, set to premiere on Waves OTT on 25 October 2025. Doordarshan will broadcast it every Sunday at 11:00 AM from 2 November 2025.

    The collaboration pairs Prasar Bharati’s nationwide reach with the creative firepower of a next-generation media network. Advanced AI tools have been used to reconstruct the epic’s sprawling universe—its characters, battlefields and moral quandaries—with cinematic scale and striking realism.

    “Like millions of Indians, I grew up watching the classic Mahabharata on television every Sunday. It was an experience that shaped my imagination and my connection to our culture,” said founder & group chief executive Vijay Subramaniam. “With Mahabharat, our hope is to give today’s generation a similar touchstone that feels as immersive and unifying as it did for us, but told through the possibilities of today’s technology.”

    Prasar Bharati chief executive Gaurav Dwivedi noted that the original Mahabharat‘s re-telecast during lockdown reminded viewers how deeply these narratives bind families together. “Partnering on this AI-led reimagining allows audiences to experience one of India’s greatest epics anew—honouring tradition while embracing cutting-edge technology in storytelling.”

    Waves, Prasar Bharati’s official OTT platform, has quickly amassed millions of users with its credible, family-friendly and multilingual content. The platform offers video-on-demand, live events and an extensive library of television, radio, audio and magazine programming. The Mahabharat project exemplifies how heritage and innovation can converge to create contemporary narratives that resonate across India and beyond.

  • Pouring art into every bottle

    Pouring art into every bottle

    MUMBAI: When wine met canvas, India found its masterpiece. Grover Zampa, India’s most awarded fine wine producer, has partnered with creative agency Black Cab to give its flagship art collection a stunning new identity, one where every pour feels like a brushstroke and every bottle a work of art.

    The brief was bold yet simple: lift wine beyond taste and transform it into an expression of India’s artistic and cultural heritage. The campaign’s creative core rested on a powerful idea, winemaking is liquid art. Just as an artist paints with emotion and precision, Grover’s winemakers craft each vintage with the same passion and finesse.

    For instance, the Cabernet-Shiraz: robust and full-bodied, found its visual twin in a bold, deep-toned artwork that captured its complexity. Each varietal collaborated with an artist whose palette reflected the wine’s personality, turning labels into miniature galleries of Indian expression.

    Digitally, the campaign positioned every bottle as an exclusive collectible, a limited-edition artwork from the vineyards of Nandi Hills and Nashik Valley. High-quality imagery and evocative storytelling elevated Grover Zampa from a fine wine label to a cultural brand, one that toasts both craftsmanship and creativity.

    Social media became its art gallery, where fans shared their own “liquid art” moments. Bottles were photographed, displayed, and admired like paintings, each post a digital canvas celebrating the spirit of Indian excellence.

    By blending art, storytelling, and digital innovation, Grover Zampa’s relaunch uncorked a refreshing narrative, that Indian wine can be as rich in culture as it is in flavour. With this campaign, every sip isn’t just wine tasting; it’s art appreciation.
     

  • Runs Reels and Revenue Knight Riders Boss Mysore Hits a Six at FICCI Frames

    Runs Reels and Revenue Knight Riders Boss Mysore Hits a Six at FICCI Frames

    MUMBAI: If cricket and cinema are the twin gods of India, then Venky Mysore is their high priest. At the FICCI FRAMES 2025, the CEO of Knight Riders Group and Red Chillies Entertainment took the stage to lay out the playbook for India’s sports-entertainment juggernaut, mixing statistics, storytelling, and a dash of showbiz flair.

    Mysore, reflecting on his journey across two industries, described himself as straddling India’s “two religions,” cricket and movies. “Live sports is unscripted spectacle,” he said, contrasting it with scripted films where even action scenes follow a pre-determined cut. That unpredictability, Mysore explained, is what keeps audiences riveted, game after game.

    The numbers speak volumes. Celebrating 15 years with the Kolkata Knight Riders, Mysore revealed he has witnessed 228 matches with the franchise. The IPL alone commands an astonishing 165-169 million viewers on television, surpassing even the Super Bowl’s 155 million. “The real-time tension, the tribalism, the emotional stakes, it’s a thrill that no scripted entertainment can replicate,” he emphasised.

    The magic of live sports extends beyond the pitch. From merchandising and ticket sales to broadcasting and sponsorship, Mysore highlighted the massive economic engine behind cricket. “We do economic impact studies for every city we play in from Kolkata to Trinbago to Abu Dhabi and now Los Angeles,” he said, pointing out the ripple effect on tourism, hospitality, and local businesses.

    Mysore also gave a glimpse into the global ambitions of Knight Riders, noting the establishment of the L.A. Knight Riders and their stadium plans ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games. “Stadium naming rights discussions are already underway, which shows the value that live sports can create economically,” he added.

    Entertainment, of course, is never far from cricket. Mysore explained how live events are being personalised for different audiences, citing innovations like multi-cam viewing, vertical video feeds, social gaming integrations, and interactive features mirroring the kind of bespoke content that digital platforms thrive on. “Every live moment can be a story, a connection, and a commercial opportunity,” he said, highlighting how AI, gaming, and the creator economy are poised to transform live sports in the next three to five years.

    While cricket remains the anchor, Mysore is betting on expansion. “Other sports like kabaddi, tennis, golf, and football can adopt our model,” he said, citing Pro Kabaddi as a successful adaptation. Women’s cricket, too, is high on the agenda. “It’s about making the sport representative and inclusive. Young girls are now aspiring to play because of the WPL, and that’s a flywheel that will keep spinning,” Mysore noted, emphasising the cultural and social impact of sports beyond the commercial.

    Mysore’s keynote also shed light on the convergence of sports, entertainment, and commerce. He noted how live spectacles like the IPL, Super Bowl, and Olympics attract diverse audiences through music, fashion, and celebrity appearances, creating a hybrid ecosystem where culture meets business. “Entertainment today isn’t just consumed, it’s experienced, shared, and lived,” he said, neatly summarising his vision for the future.

    On valuations, Mysore remained measured yet optimistic. Comparing cricket franchises to US sports teams, he suggested India has only scratched the surface in terms of economic potential. “In LA, the lowest valuation for a sports team is over a billion dollars. Cricket has similar global appeal, and there’s huge investment yet to come,” he said.

    From his high-octane reflections to the meticulous statistics, Mysore’s address offered a masterclass in the business and cultural power of sports. The underlying message was clear: cricket and entertainment are no longer just games or films, they are engines of connection, commerce, and culture, shaping the future of live experiences in India and beyond.

  • Studio 100 Film brings The Last Dodo to life at AFM 2025 premiere

    Studio 100 Film brings The Last Dodo to life at AFM 2025 premiere

    MUMBAI: It’s extinction no more, the dodo’s back and ready to soar. The Studio 100 Film is giving the world’s most famous flightless bird a new pair of wings with The Last Dodo, which makes its grand debut at the American Film Market (AFM) 2025 in Santa Monica.

    The vibrant CGI-animated family feature follows Dave the last surviving dodo,  who finds himself navigating the perilous streets of 17th-century London. With help from his street-smart sidekick, Eggy the rat, Dave must overcome his fear of flying, proving that courage sometimes comes with feathers.

    Produced by Australia’s Cheeky Little Media (Kangaroo Beach, Vegesaurs) and the UK’s Cantilever Media (The Amazing Maurice), the film is co-directed by Jun Falkenstein (The Tigger Movie) and written by Simon and Tristan Dodd. The international collaboration brings together creative forces from Australia, the UK, and India, a global flock united by humour and heart.

    “This film reimagines the dodo not as a relic, but as the beating heart of a hilarious buddy story,” said Studio 100 Film senior manager sales and acquisition Lorena Booth. “It’s full of laughs, surprises and a message that really takes off.”

    Cheeky Little Media chief content officer Patrick Egerton added, “The dodo has always captured our imagination: tragic, funny, or both. Dave is all that and more, a character you’ll root for in a wildly funny and heartfelt adventure.”

    Currently in development and slated for release in 2027, The Last Dodo promises a feather-ruffling mix of comedy, courage, and charm, a film that proves even the extinct can make a spectacular comeback.

     

  • Faiza Mirza to lead Wace India’s expansion of Australian curriculum

    Faiza Mirza to lead Wace India’s expansion of Australian curriculum

    MUMBAI: The Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) has appointed Faiza Mirza as chief operating officer for India, marking a key step in expanding Australia’s government-backed curriculum across the country.

    The Wace programme, administered by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) under the Government of Western Australia, is the first international government curriculum officially recognised in India. It aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and has received equivalence from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

    Offered in over 16 countries including Singapore, China, Japan, and Malaysia, Wace is known for its rigorous academic design, skills-based learning, and global university pathways. The curriculum now seeks to onboard 100 Indian partner schools within three years.

    “I am honoured to lead Wace India during this pivotal moment for global education,” said Mirza. “Our goal is to make world-class, government-backed education both accessible and inclusive for Indian students.”

    Mirza brings more than 12 years of experience in education and organisational development, having previously worked with the Association of International Schools of India (TAISI) on leadership development and global partnerships. She holds an Msc in retail marketing and management from Kingston University and a BBA from Amity University.

    With Mirza at the helm, Wace India will focus on curriculum integration, school capacity building, and teacher training, advancing a vision of quality, globally benchmarked education that resonates with India’s diverse learning ecosystem.