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  • Warriorz bring storm and swagger with Tashan Toofani in PKL Season 12

    Warriorz bring storm and swagger with Tashan Toofani in PKL Season 12

    MUMBAI: Call it style with a storm surge Bengal Warriorz are charging into Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 with more than just tackles and raids. The founding franchise, which begins its campaign against Haryana Steelers on 31st August, has unveiled a new identity and a campaign that promises both tashan and toofan. Branded Tashan Toofani, the campaign fuses swagger off the mat with sheer force on it. Developed by Capri Sports and SI, it portrays the Warriorz as equal parts cool and combative, a team that treats kabaddi not just as sport but as cultural expression.

    The storm’s soundtrack? An official team anthem, an upbeat rap track peppered with kabaddi jargon, trend-driven lingo and bass-heavy swagger. More than a hype song, it’s designed as a rallying cry for the next-gen fanbase, capturing the essence of the Warriorz effortlessly stylish, yet battle-hardened.

    “We wanted something that mirrors the courage, energy and flair of this squad,” said Capri Sports director for Contact Sports Apurv Gupta. “Tashan Toofani is about fearlessness on the mat, but also about a bold lifestyle that speaks to the youth. These Warriorz aren’t just players, they’re redefining what it means to be a modern kabaddi icon.”

    The young squad, sharpened for Season 12, enters with a dual mission: to continue the Warriorz legacy as one of PKL’s founding forces, and to carve out new cultural relevance by blending grassroots grit with Gen-Z cool.

    With whistles set to blow, beats already thumping, and a storm brewing in Bengal blue, the Warriorz’ Tashan Toofani looks ready to rattle rivals and rally a generation.

  • Say cheese as Go joins Super Dancer 5 to celebrate mums and kids

    Say cheese as Go joins Super Dancer 5 to celebrate mums and kids

    MUMBAI: Lights, camera, cheddar! India’s beloved dairy darling Go Cheese has found its perfect dance partner in Super Dancer Chapter 5, Sony Entertainment Television’s homegrown reality blockbuster. The association, announced mid-season, promises a mix of cheesy indulgence and heartfelt family entertainment.

    Premiering 19 July, the fifth chapter of the hit franchise has already been trending with its unique theme celebrating the bond between mothers and children, a narrative that fits like mozzarella on pizza with Go Cheese’s family-first ethos. Just as mums are the ultimate cheerleaders for their kids on stage, Go Cheese champions everyday family moments at the dining table.

    The season is packed with high-octane performances, emotional narratives, and pint-sized prodigies who have already gathered fan armies on social media. Now, with Go Cheese in the mix, viewers can expect branded challenges, snackable content, and clever product integrations designed to showcase how cheese can transform both family meals and living-room celebrations.

    “Go Cheese has always been about bringing families together through taste and shared moments. Our association with Super Dancer Chapter 5 is a natural extension of our bond with modern families, especially mothers who nurture talent and celebrate uniqueness,” said Parag Milk Foods Ltd executive director Akshali Shah.

    The partnership also highlights Go Cheese’s ongoing mission to stay relevant in pop culture through engaging storytelling. From Sonyliv streams to living-room screens across India, the collaboration makes sure the brand is as much a part of the evening as the applause, the tears, and the dance-floor thrills.

    For audiences, it’s a season where twirls meet tangy cheese slices, and every performance promises not just a standing ovation but a slice of something deliciously familiar.

  • Namma Desha, Namma Hemme: Colors Kannada observes I-Day with cultural campaign

    Namma Desha, Namma Hemme: Colors Kannada observes I-Day with cultural campaign

    MUMBAI: Colors Kannada turned this Independence Day into a state-wide celebration of culture, pride and patriotism with its campaign “Namma Desha, Namma Hemme” (Our Country, Our Pride).

    For the second year running, Karnataka’s acclaimed general entertainment channel (GEC) went beyond the screen, sending its artists back to their roots. From schools in Mysuru to temples in Mangaluru, flag-hoisting in Bidar to cultural activities in Kodagu, the initiative united communities across all 31 districts.

    Artists including Bigg Boss Kannada fame Trivikram, Bhavya Gowda, Manoj Kumar, Shilpa Kamath, Sukrutha Nag and many more took centre stage in their hometowns, weaving together tradition, performance and local pride.

    “For us, Independence Day is not just a celebration, but a reminder of what binds us together as a nation. With Namma Desha, Namma Hemme, we wanted to go beyond the screen and truly connect with people across every district of Karnataka,” said a Colors Kannada spokesperson. “With Namma Desha, Namma Hemme, we wanted to go beyond the screen and truly connect with people across every district of Karnataka. This campaign is a reflection of Colors Kannada’s deep cultural rootedness taking our artists back to the communities they come from, sharing in their pride, and celebrating our unity in diversity. The overwhelming response reinforces that when entertainment is rooted in culture and community, it creates lasting impact.”

    And the numbers echo that sentiment. The campaign drew 5 million views on Colors Kannada’s social platforms, while on-ground celebrations reached over 1 lakh viewers and 30,000 households. On Instagram alone, the six promos pulled in a cool 13k–18k views each.

    By mixing patriotism with local flavour, the GEC once again proved that Independence Day isn’t just about hoisting the flag, it’s about hoisting community spirit too.
     

  • Taapsee Pannu gives Yakult’s gut-feeling rebrand a healthy new boost

    Taapsee Pannu gives Yakult’s gut-feeling rebrand a healthy new boost

    New Delhi: Talk about going with your gut! Yakult has signed Bollywood actor Taapsee Pannu as its new brand ambassador, fuelling a bold rebranding push with a big target: double-digit annual growth right through to 2030.

    The probiotic giant, known for its tiny bottles packed with billions of “good bacteria”, has come a long way since it first arrived in India in 2008. Now available in nearly 700 cities, Yakult has turned digestive health into a household conversation, thanks to its iconic “Yakult Ladies”, who deliver door-to-door while educating families about gut wellness.

    Pannu, whose family are long-time Yakult drinkers, says the partnership feels personal. “My family has been enjoying Yakult for years, especially my mom, and I’ve seen first-hand how small, consistent habits can make a big difference. I truly believe that good health starts in the gut, and Yakult is such an easy, tasty way to include that in our daily routine…” she said.

    Yakult Danone India’s managing director, Eiji Amano, is betting on that simplicity. “India has shown remarkable growth potential for Yakult over the last 17 years. From a nascent category in 2008 to a rapidly expanding market today, Yakult has continuously won consumer trust,” he noted.

    “Our next milestone of achieving double-digit growth every year until 2030 reflects the growing demand for probiotics and the confidence we have in the Indian market,” added Amano.

    Beyond the buzzwords and witty marketing, Yakult banks on real science. Yakult contains over 6.5 billion ‘Lactobacillus casei Shirota’ probiotics per bottle, clinically proven to boost digestion and nutrient absorption. “It is a daily catalyst that improves the effectiveness of our diet by enhancing the absorption of nutrients in the gut,” explained Dr Neerja Hajela, the company’s chief science officer (CSO).

    With India’s probiotics drink market projected to balloon from Rs 1,348.8 million in 2024 to nearly Rs 5,778.9 million by 2033, Yakult clearly sees fertile ground. Taku Otsuka, the brand’s director – sales, PR & marketing noted the brand will keep innovating with marketing, on-ground activities, and consumer outreach to make probiotics as normal as a morning cup of chai.

    And in a country embracing health-conscious living like never before, Yakult’s new chapter, with Taapsee Pannu leading the charge, may just prove that good vibes (and good health) really do come from within. 

  • Bigg Boss 19 gets a full house of sponsors before drama even begins

    Bigg Boss 19 gets a full house of sponsors before drama even begins

    MUMBAI: Before a single fight erupts or a tear is shed, Bigg Boss 19 has already pulled off its first big win, a full house of nine heavyweight sponsors, proving its unmatched pull in India’s reality TV arena. Premiering Sunday, 24 August 2025, across JioHotstar (9 pm) and Colors (10.30 pm), the Salman Khan-hosted show enters its 19th season with the theme “Gharwalon Ki Sarkaar”, where for the first time in the franchise’s history housemates hold the power to make decisions. The Parliament-inspired house promises a cocktail of people politics, power plays and unpredictable twists, all with unfiltered consequences.

    On the advertiser side, the line-up is as eclectic as the show’s contestants: Vaseline, Appy Fizz, Danube Properties, Flipkart, Citroën, Silver Coin Atta, Manforce, Lakmé Peach Milk, and Haier. From FMCG giants to auto brands, the mix underscores the show’s rare ability to capture consumer attention across categories.

    “Bigg Boss remains the top choice for brands seeking unparalleled reach,” said JioStar head of revenue for entertainment Mahesh Shetty adding that its seamless integrations deliver “unmatched value for both audiences and advertisers.”

    Returning sponsor Vaseline is back as co-presenting partner, with HUL’s Pratik Ved calling the association “a platform to showcase its upgraded product portfolio while staying India’s official skincare partner.” Meanwhile, Appy Fizz’s Nadia Chauhan dubbed the show “culturally relevant rocket fuel” for brand engagement, while Danube Group’s Rizwan Sajan highlighted last season’s “record-breaking global viewership” as reason to double down.

    Auto major Citroën, rolling out its India 2.0 strategy, sees the show’s raw energy as the perfect match for its refreshed product line-up, with Citroën MD Shailesh Hazela saying it allows the brand to “embed itself into the rhythm of Indian lives.”

    With 18 years of dominance, a 24×7 live feed, and its enduring power to spark conversation across 240 plus countries via JioHotstar, Bigg Boss 19 isn’t just a show, it’s India’s biggest pop culture juggernaut. And this year, the nation’s “gharwalas” get the gavel.

  • Chhota Bheem maker calls on fresh voices to script big kids’ adventures

    Chhota Bheem maker calls on fresh voices to script big kids’ adventures

    MUMBAI: Move over capes and crowns, the new heroes of kids’ TV might just be holding pens, not swords. Green Gold Animation, the studio that gave India its most famous toon icon Chhota Bheem, has opened a nationwide hunt for aspiring writers to help script its next big animated adventure. The initiative, starting 1 September 2025, invites early-career writers from every corner of India students, aspiring screenwriters, and first-timers with a flair for children’s stories. Experience in animation isn’t a prerequisite; what matters most is an ear for how kids speak, laugh, and dream today.

    Selected participants will get paid collaborations with Green Gold’s development team, working hand-in-hand with writers, animators, producers, and directors. They’ll also receive mentorship from seasoned professionals inside the studio, an industry break that could see their words come to life on screen.

    “For nearly two decades, our characters have grown up with India’s children,” said Green Gold Animation founder and CEO Rajiv Chilaka. “But kids’ stories evolve with every new generation. Today’s children are curious, expressive, and connected, and we want stories that reflect that shift. With this initiative, we’re opening the door to new voices who can make kids laugh, think, and see themselves on screen.”

    The contest will be conducted virtually, making it accessible to storytellers nationwide. Interested participants can write to careers@greengold.tv to register. Once signed up, they’ll receive a creative brief setting out the direction of the upcoming show.

    Green Gold, which has shaped India’s animation landscape with Chhota Bheem and a host of other beloved characters, is framing this as more than a talent drive, it’s about building a pipeline for inclusive, future-facing storytelling. For the next generation of creators, this could be the chance to script their own fairy-tale beginning.

  • Azmat Jagmag exits Warner Bros. Discovery

    Azmat Jagmag exits Warner Bros. Discovery

    MUMBAI: After nearly three years shaping pop culture moments at Warner Bros Discovery, Azmat Jagmag has called time on her stint at the media giant.

    Jagmag, who joined in 2021 as head of marketing for south Asia before taking over as partnerships and solutions marketing head for INSEAK, led some of the company’s most ambitious regional pushes. She oversaw the India launch of discovery+, spearheaded the scale-up of Max across South East Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan with over 15 telecom and MVPD partners, and drove social and marketing campaigns that turned viral from Mumbai to Los Angeles.

    Before WBD, Jagmag founded Masala Chai, a content-marketing outfit that launched indie music label Jjust Music and helped reposition Puja Entertainment as a modern studio. Earlier, at Zee Entertainment, she spent over a decade leading brand and marketing strategy, pushing Zee TV and Zee Anmol to leadership positions and driving campaigns that bagged multiple industry awards.

    Across her 18-year career, she has launched and scaled some of India’s most recognisable media brands, from SonyLiv to Cartoon Network. Recognised by Google as a leading woman in new-age media, she also co-authored a brand case study for IIM Ahmedabad.

    As she signs off from WBD, Jagmag says the journey has been about turning “logic to magic”—a mantra that has defined her career across broadcast, DTC, movies and music. The next chapter, she teases, is already in the works.

  • Mythik names Sid Kedia COO to drive its ‘Disney from the East’ vision

    Mythik names Sid Kedia COO to drive its ‘Disney from the East’ vision

    MUMBAI: From Marvel fan to myth-maker, Sidharth Kedia is now set to script his own epic. Entertainment start-up Mythik, which has declared its ambition to be the “Disney from the East,” has appointed the seasoned media and gaming leader as its new chief operating officer. Kedia isn’t just another boardroom name, his résumé reads like a saga of scaling. At Nodwin, South Asia’s largest esports company, he grew revenue 10x, expanded the business from 1 to 8 countries, raised 50 million dollars, and boosted valuation a staggering 28x. At Jiogames, he spearheaded the growth of Reliance’s gaming arm. As chief strategy officer at Viacom18, he helped expand regional TV and strengthened OTT play.

    His career highlights also include leading Mukesh Ambani’s project management office during Jio’s telecom launch, overseeing Network18’s integration into Reliance, and co-founding Ambit Pragma Ventures, where he raised 150 million dollars for media and entertainment investments.

    Armed with a Chartered Accountancy degree, a six sigma black belt from GE, and an MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business, Kedia brings both precision and creative flair to the role.

    Mythik’s founder and CEO Jason Kothari, called Kedia a “rare combination of disruptive strategist and operator” with the breadth to reimagine how Eastern mythology can capture global audiences.

    For Kedia, the mission is personal. “Since childhood, I’ve been captivated by these stories my grandparents told me. As a Marvel fan, I’ve often wondered why our superheroes never got the global spotlight they deserve. We plan to change that at Mythik,” he said.

    With Kedia at the operational helm, Mythik isn’t just betting on myth, it’s gearing up to make Eastern legends the next big pop-culture phenomenon.

  • Tiger tackles Kabaddi fever as JioStar amps up Season 12 campaign

    Tiger tackles Kabaddi fever as JioStar amps up Season 12 campaign

    MUMBAI: When Tiger Shroff says “Ghus Kar Maarenge,” you know things are about to get physical on screen and on the mat. JioStar has dropped the second film of its high-octane Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 campaign, and the action star brings all the grit and swagger that mirrors kabaddi’s raw intensity.

    Conceptualised by Zerofifty, the cinematic spot kicks off with Tiger facing down a mob of hostile neighbours at his gates. Instead of flinching, he walks out with a kabaddi player’s composure, serving up a line as fierce as a raid: “Ghus kar maarne ki baatein toh sab karte hain, par yahaan hum kar ke dikhate hain” (everyone talks of attacking, but here we do it and prove it).

    The campaign, titled “Ghus Kar Maarenge,” doubles down on the league’s promise of fearless aggression and edge-of-the-seat drama. Released in Hindi and Marathi, the film highlights that kabaddi is not about bravado, it’s about backing it up, move for move.

    “This is going to be the most exciting season of Pro Kabaddi League yet,” a JioStar spokesperson said, pointing to format changes and new rules designed to guarantee a result in every clash. “Tiger Shroff was the perfect face to embody this season’s intensity.”

    For Tiger, the campaign is personal: “Kabaddi is raw, real, and Indian to the core. It’s not just strength but fearless conviction, and I can’t wait to see India’s toughest athletes rise again.”

    Season 12 kicks off on 29 August 2025 with a southern derby between Telugu Titans and Tamil Thalaivas, broadcast live on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network. With a new format, guaranteed outcomes, and Tiger leading the war cry, the mat is set for kabaddi’s fiercest showdown yet.

  • Kalli Purie urges RSS to boost women’s role in leadership at book launch

    Kalli Purie urges RSS to boost women’s role in leadership at book launch

    MUMBAI: When Kalli Purie took the mic, she made sure the Sangh heard more than just polite applause. Speaking in the presence of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at the launch of Tan Samarpit, Man Samarpit, a biography of swayamsevak Ramesh Prakash India Today group vice chairperson called for women to find stronger footing in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s leadership structures.

    Purie praised the Sangh’s famed simplicity, discipline, and its unusual ability for century-long planning, referencing its centennial blueprint and Panch Parivartan vision. But she also pushed the envelope, noting that corruption must not be normalised as “a way of life”. She spotlighted India Today’s experiment with Gross Domestic Behaviour (GDB), a metric designed to gauge civic discipline, inclusivity, gender balance, and attitudes towards corruption.

    Her candour drew a direct response from the Sarsanghchalak himself. Bhagwat stressed that true social transformation cannot come from ideas alone: “Knowledge is not enough. Change comes only when it reflects in the swayamsevak’s life through discipline, example, and practice.”

    On the question of women’s representation, he pointed to the Rashtra Sevika Samiti, the women’s wing founded in 1936, which he described as running in parallel to the RSS. “Wherever there are swayamsevaks, women are alongside,” he said, adding that in many regions, women are invited into core meetings, their proposals are included, and their role in decision-making is expanding. “Fifty per cent of society cannot be kept outside,” he underlined, while noting that processes differ across states, which he framed as a mark of the Sangh’s evolving nature.

    Yet Bhagwat also added a note of balance: “Rashtra seva should never come at the cost of family duties. The two are complementary, not contradictory.”

    Between Purie’s call for parity and Bhagwat’s emphasis on gradual adaptation, the evening turned into more than just a book launch, it became a mirror to the Sangh’s ongoing conversation about gender, governance, and the path to social change.