INDONESIA: DocuBay’s original documentary Fanatics has made history by becoming the first Indian film to win Best Documentary Programme (OTT) at the 30th Asian Television Awards 2025 in Indonesia. The win marks a milestone for the streaming platform, part of The Epic Company, which is known for bold, culturally rooted, and globally resonant storytelling.

Produced by Arpita Chatterjee under Studio 9 and directed by Aryan D Roy, Fanatics delves into the extreme devotion surrounding South Indian cinema. The documentary captures how actors are often treated like deities, and how fan loyalty, fuelled by emotion, pride and rivalry, can sometimes have real-life consequences. Through intimate personal stories and rare insights, the film presents an unfiltered look at the psychology of fandom in a region where cinema is nothing short of religion.

Featuring interviews with stars such as Allu Arjun and Kiccha Sudeep, the documentary also explores the role of social media in amplifying both solidarity and conflict among fans.

The category was highly competitive, featuring acclaimed international entries including Bitter Sweet Ballad (China), Polar Alarm (Taiwan), Life on the Millennia Old Grand Canal (China), Modern Masters: SS Rajamouli (India), and Echoes of Life (China). DocuBay distinguished itself with three nominations from its originals, Kargil 1999: The Untold Story of Indian Air Force, The Dupatta Killer, and Fanatics, cementing its place in impactful nonfiction storytelling.

The award was accepted at the ceremony in Indonesia by Samar Khan, chief content officer, DocuBay, and Adita Jain, VP – acquisition & syndication, The Epic Company. Fanatics’ win celebrates both the devotion of cinema fans and India’s rising influence in global documentary filmmaking.

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.

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.