MUMBAI: Goafest 2025 is serving up more than awards and panels. The festival’s latest initiative, ‘Advertising Plays’, will bring delegates out of boardrooms and onto courts, beaches and walking trails for inter-agency competitions and wellness experiences designed to build industry bonds through play.
Conceptualised as a people-first property and curated by Havas Play, ‘Advertising Plays’ will debut this year as part of the revamped Goafest Village format. The programme features gender-neutral games including Chess, Carrom, Darts, Arm Wrestling and Net Cricket, alongside high-energy matchups in Pickleball and Table Tennis. Wellness activities like Yoga by the Bay and the Beach Walkathon will help delegates start their day with clarity and calm.
“The connections that move our industry forward aren’t always made in boardrooms or at award ceremonies. Advertising Plays offers a space for professionals to engage beyond the usual format. It’s a people first initiative which will enable our industry to build more connections and collaborate in the longer run”, said Goafest 2025 Organising Committee co-chair and Havas Media Network India CEO Mohit Joshi.
Havas Play India COO R. Venkatasubramanian added, “Goafest has long been a premier platform that unites the brightest minds in the world of advertising. In 2025, it takes a bold new leap by introducing Advertising Plays—a dynamic initiative designed to elevate the spirit of friendly competition among industry professionals”.
Inter-agency contests will run throughout the festival, culminating in awards for performance and team spirit. Winners will take home trophies and year-long bragging rights. The initiative aims to encourage participation across all fitness levels, offering spontaneous play zones and community-led wellness formats.
The 18 edition of Goafest will take place from 21-23 May 2025 at the Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Horizon. The festival is co-hosted by The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club (TAC).
MUMBAI: When summer blazes through the north, Rocky Singh heads south—armed with a camera crew, a massive appetite, and his signature sense of humour. Kicking off on 12 May 2025, the 13 season of #RoadTrippinWithRocky takes viewers on a week-long joyride through Tamil Nadu’s culinary hotspots and scenic escapes.
This time, the food-loving traveller escapes Delhi’s heat for the hills of Madikeri, before cruising through Virajpet and onto the postcard paradise of Ooty. From there, he detours to Mysuru and ends the flavour trail in Chennai. Throughout the trip, Rocky weaves his way through street-side stalls, royal retreats, and roadside dhabas—fuelled by ice cream from Ibaco and legendary cups of tea in Chennai.
“RoadTrippin is more than travel. It’s food, laughs, and soaking in every mile of the journey”, Rocky declared as he kicked off from Delhi Airport, sampling lounges before hitting Tamil soil.
As with previous seasons, #RoadTrippinWithRocky streams exclusively across HistoryTV18’s and Rocky’s digital platforms. The format’s snackable charm, candid style and digital-first approach have struck gold with viewers, racking up over two billion impressions and 540 million video views to date.
HistoryTV18’s series has become a benchmark in digital travel storytelling, blending culture, cuisine and comedy into content that audiences keep coming back to. This year’s edition promises more of the same — with Tamil Nadu’s topography and thalis taking centrestage.
#RoadTrippinWithRocky runs from 12-19 May on Youtube, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
MUMBAI: Balaji Telefilms, the name long synonymous with India’s soap-operatic swagger, is charging ahead in the digital domain. Its newly energised arm, Balaji Digital, is making a bold play for streaming supremacy with its third original for JioHotstar – Kull – The Legacy of the Raisingghs, set to premiere on 2 May 2025.
Featuring a heavyweight cast of Nimrat Kaur, Ridhi Dogra, and Amol Parashar, the series dives deep into dynastic dysfunction, weaving a rich tapestry of loyalty, betrayal, legacy, and secrets best left buried. The recently released trailer has sparked a torrent of buzz across platforms, with fans dissecting every brooding glance and cryptic one-liner.
“At Balaji, storytelling has always been our lifeblood — and digital is just another canvas, albeit a thrilling one,” said , Balaji Telefilms head digital originals Aparna Ramachandran. “With Kull, we’re venturing into new tonal territory. It’s layered, political, emotional – and unafraid to ask hard questions about what families choose to remember, and what they’d rather forget.”
The move marks a sharp creative pivot for Balaji Digital, which has already made a streaming splash with Dus June Ki Raat – a dark, emotionally charged drama – and Power of Paanch, a long-format youth series that drew praise for its raw depiction of campus life.
“Power of Paanch was an important moment for us – it showed that youth stories can have depth, nuance, and emotional consequence,” Ramachandran added. “And with Dus June Ki Raat, we demonstrated that Balaji could tackle mystery and emotional realism in a slow-burn format.”
Kull, however, is a different beast. Set against the backdrop of a powerful royal family navigating present-day ambition and past sins, the show blends opulence with angst. Think Succession meets Gulzar — with the emotional complexity dialled all the way up.
“The digital viewer is restless, sharp, and demands emotional authenticity,” said Ramachandran. “They’re sampling Korean thrillers, Spanish crime sagas, and British slow-burns — so we have to be at our sharpest. The brief at Balaji Digital is simple: break moulds, not hearts.”
While Kull promises a spectacle, it’s also being pitched as a narrative about power and truth in the age of curated legacies. The Raisingghs, the show’s central family, are emblematic of India’s royal residues — clinging to relevance, shrouded in secrecy.
At the helm of this digital renaissance is Ekta Kapoor, who, after conquering TV and film, is reshaping her empire for the age of OTT. “Ekta has always believed in staying ahead of the curve,” Ramachandran said. “Balaji Digital is her next act — and Kull is just the beginning of what we have in store. We’re forging deep collaborations with platforms, and are already developing a slate that pushes the boundaries of genre and storytelling.”
MUMBAI: In a television space where makeovers often masquerade as empowerment, Colors is putting its weight behind something meatier. Its new family drama, Meri Bhavya Life, premiering 30 April 2025 at 7 p.m., centres on Bhavya—a confident, plus-size architect who isn’t looking to be fixed, just respected.
Set against the backdrop of a judgmental society obsessed with inches and abs, the series stars Prisha Dhatwalia as Bhavya and Karan Vohra as Rishank, a six-pack-sporting fitness freak with deep-rooted biases. But this is no makeover tale—it’s a defiant call to shift the lens from the waistline to the mind.
“Mota hona badi bimaari hai, ya motape ke aage na dekh paana?” asks the show’s tagline, setting the tone for a story that challenges convention. Bhavya isn’t shrinking to fit expectations—she’s designing her own narrative, one where ambition, dignity, and love aren’t weight-dependent.
“This is not a makeover story, it’s a wake-up call,” said Dhatwalia. “She doesn’t beg for love or bend to fit in. Through Bhavya, we’re calling out every rishta rejection, every backhanded compliment, every ‘you’d be so pretty if…’ that plus-size women have been swallowing for years. There couldn’t have been a better launchpad than Colors.”
Vohra admitted, “Rishank isn’t your typical hero. He’s fit, opinionated, and buys into the ‘looks are everything’ mindset. He’s flawed, and he’s got a long way to go. But that’s what makes him real. Meri Bhavya Life is a mirror to our world—it challenges every stereotype in the book.”
As Bhavya and Rishank’s lives clash and slowly intertwine, the show delves deep into the meaning of worth and love in a world built on superficial standards. With drama, heart, and plenty of social bite, Meri Bhavya Life looks set to stir more than just primetime ratings.
MUMBAI: The Ad Club has brought Italian flair to Goafest 2025, appointing Le Pub Publicis Italy CCO Francesco Poletti as international jury chair for the Abby Awards powered by One Show. Poletti will oversee judging in the Young Maverick Abby category, promising an exciting touch of creativity seasoned with his signature boldness.
Currently Le Pub Publicis Italy’s CCO, Poletti previously showcased his creative prowess at VMLY&R and Jung von Matt. His quick rise at VMLY&R to the CCO role within two years marked him as a standout creative force.
Known for notable campaigns for global brands like Barilla, Heineken, and Netflix, Poletti’s award cabinet boasts multiple Cannes Lions, including Grand Prix wins, along with several coveted Pencils from D&AD and One Show. His iconic ‘Rocking Mamas’ campaign for Rolling Stone continues to resonate globally.
The Abby Awards, a cornerstone of Goafest, India’s premier advertising festival, will run from 21-23 May 2025, at the plush Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Horizon. This annual event is a joint effort by the Advertising Agencies Association of India and The Advertising Club.
With Poletti leading the creative charge, Abby Awards 2025 promises to spotlight groundbreaking ideas from India’s freshest advertising talents.
MUMBAI: The adland gods are assembling—and they’ve got a brief to judge. The Advertising Club has unveiled a glittering lineup of jury chairs for the Abby Awards 2025 powered by One Show, naming four creative titans to lead key categories ahead of India’s most anticipated industry celebration at Goafest this May.
The new jury cohort includes Ashwini Deshpande, Ashish Chakravarty, Raj Kamble, and Ashish Khazanchi—each a bonafide heavyweight with enough trophies to sink a conference table.
Elephant co-founder & director Deshpande takes charge of the design category. A pioneering force in India’s design scene, Deshpande has spent 35 years building one of the country’s most respected independent design consultancies. With a résumé thicker than a Pantone swatch book, she’s judged Cannes Lions, The One Show, Spikes Asia, and LIA, among others. She currently serves on the jury for Singapore Good Design Awards 2025 and mentors start-ups via TiE.
McCann Worldgroup executive director & India head of creative Chakravarty will lead the Audio jury. The man’s got over 500 awards under his belt—One Show, Cannes, Clio, D&AD, you name it—and has chaired or served on nearly every awards jury worth attending. Known for blending big ideas with brand precision, Chakravarty brings sonic sensibilities and sharp storytelling instincts to the panel.
Out of home and ambient? That’s Kamble’s turf. Famous Innovations founder & CCO has made a career out of smashing boundaries—from Lowe London to BBDO New York to founding one of India’s most disruptive independent agencies. His awards shelf holds over 150 trophies including Cannes and One Show golds, and his agency has bagged South Asia Independent Agency of the Year nine times in a row. Now that’s a media buy with ROI.
Enormous Brands managing partner & CCO Khazanchi takes charge of the Direct category. He’s the brain behind iconic brand launches like Tata Sky’s Jingalala and Lenskart’s first major campaigns, with over 300 national and 50 international awards to his name. Known for his sharp eye on consumer insight and startup flair, Khazanchi is no stranger to turning simple ideas into scaleable results.
The Abby Awards 2025 powered by One Show will take place on 21–23 May at the Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Horizon, as part of Goafest 2025—jointly hosted by the Advertising Agencies Association of India and The Advertising Club.
MUMBAI: Zee5 has unveiled the trailer for its much-anticipated original film Costao, a gritty drama set against the backdrop of 1990s Goa. The film follows the fearless customs officer Costao Fernandes, played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, as he dares to challenge an empire fuelled by smuggling, corruption, and fear.
Directed by debutant Sejal Shah, Costao promises a powerful narrative of courage, sacrifice, and the brutal cost of defying a corrupt system. Joining Nawazuddin in the cast are Priya Bapat, Kishore Kumar G, Gagan Dev Riar, and Hussain Dalal. The film is set to premiere on Zee5 on 1 May.
The trailer introduces viewers to Costao’s unrelenting fight against the underworld and his own system, showcasing heart-pounding action and emotional depth. When a deadly confrontation with a notorious smuggler’s brother ignites a high-stakes manhunt, Costao finds himself hunted and betrayed. Battling alone for justice, family, and redemption, he embodies audacious courage and sharp instincts. As the stakes rise, the question looms can he survive the system he dares to oppose and at what cost?
A Zee5 spokesperson commented, “At Zee5, we remain steadfast in our mission to tell stories that challenge norms and ignite meaningful dialogue. Real-life stories like Costao hold immense significance for us as they reflect courage, resilience, and truths that deserve to be seen and heard. The film is a strong addition to our expanding original film slate, with a story that is not only compelling but also thought-provoking. Our collaboration with the makers reflects a shared vision for delivering powerful narratives that go beyond the expected. As we continue to focus on differentiated storytelling, we are proud to back films like Costao that leave a deep and lasting impression on viewers.”
Producer Vinod Bhanushali added, “We’ve always loved creating untold stories that are as interesting as they are unique, and Costao is the perfect example of that. With Nawazuddin in the lead, you know you’re in for something special. His performance as Costao is pure magic raw, intense, and layered in a way that will keep you hooked from the very first second. After Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai, we felt Costao deserved a platform like Zee5 for the story to reach the right audience. Our shared vision for authentic storytelling perfectly aligned, allowing us to craft a movie that challenges conventions and surprises at every turn. As a movie Costao demands your attention, and trust me, you won’t want to look away. We’re beyond excited for you to experience this rollercoaster when it drops on May 1!”
Speaking about her debut, director Shah said, “Costao is the story of an officer who risked his life to do the right thing and paid the price for it. It’s raw, intense, and full of moments that will leave you questioning how far one person can go in the name of duty. Bringing this world to life has been a challenge and a privilege, and I couldn’t have asked for a better actor than Nawazuddin to play Costao. He brings an unmatched authenticity and complexity to the character. Zee5 has always backed bold, powerful storytelling, and I’m excited to collaborate with them. I can’t wait for audiences to experience Costao a story that deserves to be told.”
Nawazuddin reflected on his role, saying, “Costao is not just a story about a customs officer fighting against a ruthless smuggling empire it’s about the cost of standing up to an entire system built on corruption and betrayal. There is a dialoug in the film where the character says ‘Humare society mein sabko chahiye ki Officer honest ho aur brave ho… lekin Ghar mein Nahi’; it’s so true. Costao’s courage in the face of unbeatable odds reflects this perfectly. His battle is not only against criminals but against a system that tries to break him at every turn. I can’t wait for viewers to experience the explosive twists, raw emotion, and relentless intensity that Costao brings. It’s a story that will keep you at the edge, questioning what’s right, what’s wrong, and what one man is willing to sacrifice for justice. Don’t miss it; Costao drops on May 1”
Produced by Vinod, Kamlesh Bhanushali, Bhavesh Mandalia, Shah, Shyam Sunder, and Faizuddin Siddiqui, and written by Mandalia and Meghna Srivastava, Costao is poised to be a must-watch thriller.
MUMBAI: In a cinematic leap of divine proportions, One Take Media Co has officially answered the call of the cosmos.
The Mumbai-based content powerhouse has stepped into film production with its debut feature film Lord Tirupati Balaji – The Film, an animated epic poised to blend high-calibre 3D visuals with the might of mythology. And yes, Lord Balaji is going worldwide—in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, and English. Jai cinema!
The ambitious project marks One Take Media Co’s pivot from being purveyors of K-Dramas and cartoons to full-blown mythological moguls. The production is helmed by veteran director Jyotin Goel—of Zahreelay, Safari, and Bird Idol fame—whose flair for both live-action and animation makes him the ideal charioteer for this gods-meet-graphics spectacle.
The company has teamed up with iRealities Technology Pvt Ltd, the animation wizards behind global hit Chaar Sahibzaade, for the tech muscle. And it’s not just pretty pixels: the film’s backbone rests on years of intense historical and mythological research, guided by a panel of scholars and PhDs. Input from the Tirupati Devasthanam Trust adds further authenticity to what promises to be a spiritually rich, visually glorious narrative.
Lord Tirupati Balaji – The Film tells the powerful tale of Lord Balaji, Goddess Lakshmi, and Padmavati. But this isn’t your grandpa’s temple tale—this is legend, rendered in photorealistic 3D, destined for Dolby Atmos, and tuned for global ears.
One Take Media Co CEO & founder Anil Khera confirmed that the studio is “actively onboarding prominent actors and actresses from South India and Mumbai to lend their voices to the film.” Which means, if you thought mythological films were all slow chants and glowing halos, get ready for booming baritones and star-studded Sanskrit.
And the reach won’t stop at the box office. After its grand global theatrical launch, the film will make its digital darshan on leading OTT platforms, ensuring devotees and cinephiles alike can stream the gods from their couches. Because divine intervention is best enjoyed in HD.
One Take Media Co clearly has its third eye wide open for what’s next. This production marks a massive step up—and a heavenly gamble to ride India’s ever-growing appetite for myth meets tech.
With divine storytelling, scholarly credibility, and cutting-edge animation in its armoury, Lord Tirupati Balaji – The Film could just be the next devotional blockbuster to bless the multiplex and beyond. Om shanti… and roll camera.
MUMBAI: Some festivals bring sun and sand. Goafest brings Grand Prix-winning creatives with awards baggage heavier than beach coolers.
This year’s Abby Awards 2025 powered by One Show just pulled off a creative coup—roping in two of the ad world’s finest to chair its international jury.
Grab your pens (or Apple Pencils): Björn Ståhl and Youri Guerassimov are headed to Goa, and the briefs better be brilliant.
Announced on 15 April 2025, the 56 edition of the Abby Awards will see Uncommon Creative Studio, Stockholm CCO Ståhl chairing the Still Print category, while Marcel Paris CCO & CEO Guerassimov will preside over the Integrated category. With a combined award count that would make Don Draper blush, these two titans bring enough creative firepower to light up an entire awards season.
Ståhl has racked up over 250 awards, including a Titanium and Grand Prix at Cannes and not one but two Black Pencils. Having spent 31 years in the business—19 of them at INGO where he turned the agency into one of Fast Company’s most innovative companies—Ståhl is now leading the creative charge at Uncommon Stockholm since January 2024. And yes, he’s judged Cannes and D&AD thrice each, because once clearly wasn’t enough.
On the other side of Europe’s brilliance map sits Guerassimov—arguably one of France’s most decorated creatives of this generation. With 2 Cannes Lions Grand Prix, 3 D&AD Black Pencils, a One Show Green Pencil, and over 40 Cannes Lions under his belt, Youri’s trophy shelf is basically a hazard zone. His career began at CLM/BBDO in 2004, and alongside his long-time partner Gaetan du Peloux, he has created campaign gold for local and global brands alike.
Entries for the Abbys are now open, featuring 24 Media categories and 23 Creative ones. Among the new additions this year are ‘Small Budget Big Impact’, ‘Sports Marketing’, and ‘Micro Marketing’ under the media section. It’s the kind of lineup that gives underdogs, outliers and niche geniuses a shot at gold—and maybe a selfie with the jury chairs.
The awards will take place on 21–23 May 2025, at the plush Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Horizon during Goafest—South Asia’s largest celebration of advertising, creativity, and beachside bragging rights. The festival is jointly hosted by The Advertising Club and the Advertising Agencies Association of India. If you haven’t booked your flight yet, now’s your cue.
With this level of global creative clout on board, Abby Awards 2025 isn’t just levelling up—it’s playing in the big leagues with Cannes-calibre judges and south Asian swagger.
MUMBAI: Comic Con India, the country’s iconic pop culture celebration, is set for a dynamic new chapter as Shefali Johnson is appointed CEO, following a landmark year of expansion under Nodwin Gaming’s ownership.
Johnson steps into the role as founder Jatin Varma, along with co-founder Karan Kalra and event director Sonal Varma, transition into advisory positions. The trio, who have nurtured the Comic Con legacy since its inception in 2011, will continue to provide creative direction and support the brand’s long-term vision.
With Comic Con India now present in eight cities including recent additions Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Pune and having delivered its biggest season to date, the focus now shifts to scaling innovation, inclusivity, and immersive fan experiences.
“Johnson brings the perfect blend of vision, experience, and drive to take our labour of love to greater scale,” said Jatin, reflecting on his journey. “We look forward to supporting her and the team in an advisory capacity as they shape the future of fandom in India across cities.”
As a senior leader at Nodwin Gaming, Johnson has been instrumental in spearheading flagship IPs like Dreamhack India, BGMS, and the Cosplay Championships. Her appointment as CEO marks a strategic move to deepen fan engagement and expand Comic Con’s cultural footprint.
“Stepping into this role is both a privilege and a responsibility,” said Johnson. “We plan to grow this platform into newer cities, introduce newer formats, and create experiences that are more inclusive, dynamic, and reflective of India’s evolving pop culture identity.”
Nodwin Gaming co-founder & managing director Akshat Rathee said, “With Johnson at the helm, we’re looking forward to building on everything we’ve created so far expanding our reach, deepening fan engagement, and continuing to celebrate the communities that make Comic Con what it is.”
Since its debut in 2011, Comic Con India has grown into the country’s definitive pop culture festival uniting fans of comics, cosplay, gaming, anime, and beyond.
“The connections that move our industry forward aren’t always made in boardrooms or at award ceremonies. Advertising Plays offers a space for professionals to engage beyond the usual format. It’s a people first initiative which will enable our industry to build more connections and collaborate in the longer run”, said Goafest 2025 Organising Committee co-chair and Havas Media Network India CEO Mohit Joshi.
platform that unites the brightest minds in the world of advertising. In 2025, it takes a bold new leap by introducing Advertising Plays—a dynamic initiative designed to elevate the spirit of friendly competition among industry professionals”.
