ITV

Blog

  • Howzat for Glory as Eden Gardens Lights Up for Women in Blue

    Howzat for Glory as Eden Gardens Lights Up for Women in Blue

    MUMBAI: Kolkata’s night sky had a new scoreboard, one lit in blue, blazing with pride. The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) turned the Eden Gardens into a glowing canvas to celebrate Team India’s historic ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 victory, creating a spectacle that had fans stopping, staring and cheering long after the final whistle.

    The iconic stadium’s façade shimmered in shades of electric blue, adorned with giant visuals of the triumphant team lifting the trophy, a sight that felt every bit as grand as the moment it commemorated. For three days, the hallowed grounds of Eden weren’t just a cricketing landmark; they became a glowing love letter to the women who brought India the cup, pride and goosebumps.

    “This was our way of saying thank you,” said former India captain and president of CAB Sourav Ganguly. “Twenty years ago, women’s cricket had few believers and fewer facilities. Today, their win lights up the country quite literally. When I became BCCI president, I made it my mission to strengthen women’s cricket. Winning the 50-over World Cup is just the beginning, it will only get bigger from here.”

    The CAB’s tribute was more than a visual delight; it was a reflection of how far women’s cricket has come. What once played to sparse crowds now fills stadiums and headlines. Eden’s brilliant glow symbolised that shift from underdogs to icons, from overlooked to celebrated.

    Cricket lovers thronged the area, phones in hand, capturing the moment that married nostalgia and new-age pride. The installation featured vibrant lights, dynamic projections and a specially designed backdrop, a reminder that victory looks even brighter when the whole nation stands behind it.

    The CAB, long known for championing both men’s and women’s cricket, used this celebration to reaffirm its commitment to the game’s future. The association has consistently nurtured talent across formats, and this event underscored its intent to keep the women’s game in full focus not as a supporting act, but as the main event.

    As the lights danced on Eden’s storied walls and the chants of “India, India!” echoed once more, it was clear cricket’s most sacred turf had just found a new set of legends to worship.

    After all, when the Women in Blue bring home the cup, the city of joy knows exactly how to say “well played” with fireworks, flair, and a flood of blue that can be seen from miles away.

     

  • Blyp parks it smart with Zee TV’s IdeaBaaz win

    Blyp parks it smart with Zee TV’s IdeaBaaz win

    MUMBAI: Talk about finding the perfect spot! Blyp, India’s smart parking pioneer, has parked itself firmly in the spotlight after featuring on Zee TV and ZEE5’s entrepreneurial show IdeaBaaz. The startup not only wowed audiences with its innovation but also drove home fresh funding of Rs 50 lakh from titan investor Sandesh Sharda.

    Formerly known as ParkMate, Blyp is on a mission to make India’s parking woes a thing of the past. Its quick parking app promises to help users find, book, and park in just two minutes, turning one of urban India’s biggest daily headaches into a seamless experience.

    Appearing in the fourth episode of IdeaBaaz (aired on 2 November), co-founders Dhananjaya Bharadwaj and Abhimanyu Singh shared how the company is reimagining the way India parks, with a focus on speed, safety, and sustainability. The show, which celebrates visionary startups, gave Blyp a national stage to showcase how technology can transform everyday life.

    The Rs 50 lakh investment forms part of Blyp’s ongoing bridge round following its pre-series A funding. The capital will fuel tech upgrades, city expansions, and partnerships with malls, corporates, and institutions across India.

    “Being featured on IdeaBaaz is a proud moment for our entire team,” said Bharadwaj. “With our new funding, we aim to accelerate our expansion and bring faster, more sustainable parking experiences to millions.”

    COO Abhimanyu Singh added, “Our goal is to make parking effortless, from eliminating manual payments to enabling digital-first smart city ecosystems.”

    Already active across Delhi NCR and several smart cities, Blyp is driving India toward a future where finding parking is as simple as a tap, no honking, circling, or stress required.

     

  • Rise and Fall rises to the top on Amazon MX Player

    Rise and Fall rises to the top on Amazon MX Player

    MUMBAI: Talk about a reality check! Rise and Fall, Amazon MX Player’s latest digital blockbuster, has done everything but fall. The show has stormed into the record books as the most-watched series ever on the platform, amassing over half a billion views and holding its ground in India’s top OTT reality charts for six straight weeks.

    Produced by Banijay Asia, Rise and Fall threw 15 familiar faces including Pawan Singh, Dhanashree Verma, Kubbra Sait, and Kiku Sharda into a 42-day showdown of power, ambition, and strategy. Hosted by Ashneer Grover, the series saw audiences cast more than 11 million votes before crowning Arjun Bijlani as the ultimate winner.

    But the show’s real victory played out online, sparking over 10 billion social media views and a flood of memes, reactions, and fan edits. Hindi cinema and cricket stars from John Abraham to Ishan Kishan jumped on the bandwagon, amplifying the frenzy and turning the series into a cultural talking point.

    In a first-of-its-kind partnership, Rise and Fall aired daily on both Amazon MX Player and Sony Entertainment Television, bridging the gap between traditional TV and digital fandom. The result? Record-breaking engagement and a prime showcase for brands like Lux Cozi, Haier, and McDowell’s, which integrated into the narrative through clever placements and sponsorships.

    “The success and cultural impact of Rise and Fall have been phenomenal,” said Amazon MX Player director and head Karan Bedi. “It’s proof that entertainment and brand storytelling can converge powerfully to capture the nation’s imagination.”

    Banijay Asia founder and group CEO Deepak Dhar added, “This show redefined the scale and storytelling potential of Indian reality television. We wanted to blend ambition, strategy, and emotion in a format that feels fresh and globally resonant, and audiences have embraced it wholeheartedly.”

    Licensed through All3Media International and originally created by Studio Lambert in the UK, Rise and Fall has cemented itself as more than just another reality show, it’s a pop-culture phenomenon and a symbol of India’s evolving entertainment landscape.

  • One million Indians make fitness a habit with cult

    One million Indians make fitness a habit with cult

    MUMBAI: India just got a little fitter! cult, the fitness and wellness platform from Curefit, has announced that one million members have successfully built lasting fitness habits through its programmes, a remarkable feat in a country where only 0.6 per cent of the population actively engages in fitness activities.

    At the heart of this achievement lies cult’s 3 by 4 framework, which defines habit formation as exercising at least three days a week for four consecutive weeks. Miss a session, and the cycle resets, making consistency the ultimate test. Backed by a seven-year study of 1.5 lakh members, the data revealed that users who complete this 3 by 4 cycle are three times more likely to stay active long-term.

    Interestingly, most achievers were between 25 and 34 years old, with men and women forming habits at nearly the same rate. More than half (58 per cent) built habits within the first month of joining.

    To make the process engaging, cult introduced features like ‘cult Ninja’, a gamified multiplayer challenge that keeps members motivated through levels, leaderboards and positive reinforcement. Trainers celebrate milestones, while streaks, nudges and flexible access across gyms, sports centres and online classes help users stay consistent, anytime, anywhere.

    “Our vision is to make fitness an achievable daily habit,” said cult CEO Naresh Krishnaswamy. “In a country where fitness isn’t a natural priority, we’ve built an environment that helps people stay committed. This milestone proves that with the right approach, fitness can become a way of life.”

    With offerings like cult Pro, cult Elite, cult LUX, cult PLAY, and partnerships with Gold’s Gym and Fitness First, the platform caters to every kind of fitness enthusiast, from beginners to pros.

    As cult continues to innovate and expand its ecosystem, one thing is clear, India’s fitness story is no longer a sprint, but a sustained, community-powered marathon.

     

  • Billboard hits the right note with India debut

    Billboard hits the right note with India debut

    MUMBAI: The world’s most recognised music media brand is striking a new chord with the launch of Billboard India, in partnership with Other Side Ventures Pvt. Ltd., backed by media advisor Priyanka Khimani. The move marks Billboard’s entry into one of the world’s most vibrant and fast-evolving music markets.

    Set to go live in early 2026, Billboard India will bring the brand’s signature offerings to the subcontinent, from its iconic charts, lists and music awards to exclusive editorial features, interviews, merchandise and events. The platform aims to celebrate India’s sonic diversity, spotlighting both the glitz of Hindi cinema soundtracks and the pulse of the indie scene making waves across streaming platforms worldwide.

    Priyanka Khimani, the driving force behind the partnership, said the venture will provide “one unifying voice to measure and highlight the incredible growth and success of India’s music industry,” adding that Billboard India aims to be “a world-class experience powered by data, celebrating talent with pride and prestige.”

    Echoing her enthusiasm, Billboard CEO Mike Van said, “India’s music scene is one of the most dynamic and culturally rich in the world. With Billboard India, we’re thrilled to recognise its extraordinary diversity while connecting the country’s thriving music community to our global stage.”

    Based in Mumbai, Billboard India’s editorial team will be announced soon, setting the stage for a high-decibel debut that promises to amplify India’s music to the world.

     

  • Experian rolls out Grameen Score for rural India

    Experian rolls out Grameen Score for rural India

    MUMBAI: Scoring big in Bharat! Experian Credit Information Company of India has unveiled the Grameen Score, a fresh credit scoring model designed to make borrowing easier and fairer for India’s rural population. The move aims to bridge the gap between financial institutions and millions of rural consumers who have long remained outside the formal credit net.

    Aligned with the Government of India’s push for financial inclusion and the Reserve Bank of India’s efforts to widen access to credit, the Grameen Score helps lenders assess rural borrowers more accurately and responsibly.

    Developed with a deep understanding of India’s villages, the model considers unique rural financial patterns such as repayment behaviour on small loans, the types of credit typically used in villages and even migration trends between towns and cities. The score ranges from 300 to 900, making it simple for lenders and borrowers alike to understand.

    The Grameen Score particularly shines a spotlight on women entrepreneurs and self-help groups, helping them secure fairer loans and build stronger financial identities. For lenders, it translates into faster, data-driven decisions and a clearer picture of repayment capability.

    Commenting on the launch, Experian Credit Information Company of India  chairman Manish Jain said, “The Experian Grameen Score aligns with India’s agenda of inclusive growth. By helping institutions assess credit risk more effectively in rural areas, we are improving access to finance and building a more resilient and transparent credit ecosystem.”

    He added that the score reflects Experian’s philosophy of “innovation with purpose”, using data and analytics to enable responsible rural lending and sustainable growth.

    With this initiative, Experian aims to turn financial dreams in India’s heartlands into reality, one score at a time.

  • Hindi cinema shines bright at Filmfare’s 70th night

    Hindi cinema shines bright at Filmfare’s 70th night

    MUMBAI: Lights, camera, nostalgia! The 70th Hyundai Filmfare Awards 2025 with Gujarat Tourism turned Ahmedabad into the heart of Hindi cinema, where stars, stories and songs collided in a night of pure cinematic magic. The telecast of the unforgettable evening airs on 9 November at 9 pm across Zee TV, Zing and Zest, promising fans a front-row seat to the glamour, grandeur and golden memories.

    Hosted by the ever-charismatic Shah Rukh Khan, joined by Karan Johar and Maniesh Paul, the ceremony was a dazzling blend of celebration and emotion. The event honoured not just the brightest stars but the creative minds behind the camera, directors, writers, musicians and technicians, all of whom keep Indian cinema’s soul alive.

    One of the night’s most goosebump-inducing moments came when SRK and Kajol brought back the magic of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, leaving the audience awash in nostalgia. Adding a heartfelt touch, Abhishek Bachchan paid tribute to his legendary father with a dynamic medley of Amitabh Bachchan classics, from Khaike Paan Banaras Wala to Jumma Chumma.

    The evening’s rhythm soared higher with Akshay Kumar’s powerhouse performance of timeless hits and Kriti Sanon’s glamorous homage to Zeenat Aman, who, along with Shyam Benegal, received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Ananya Panday brought Gujarat’s vibrant culture to life, while Siddhant Chaturvedi saluted Hindi cinema’s dance icons with electrifying energy.

    Taking the celebration sky-high, a stunning drone show lit up Ahmedabad’s skyline, tracing the evolution of Hindi cinema through the decades. A nostalgic ‘Cine Icon Awards’ segment revisited legends like Bimal Roy, Sridevi, Dilip Kumar, Nutan, and Amitabh Bachchan, right up to the 1990s icons SRK, Kajol and Karan Johar.

    The telecast also captures intimate moments, from the audience joining SRK to wish Big B a happy birthday to Ravi Kishan and Abhishek Bachchan winning their first-ever Filmfare trophies.

    So, polish that popcorn bowl and prepare for an unforgettable evening. The 70th Filmfare Awards 2025 promises everything Hindi cinema stands for, emotion, entertainment and eternal magic, on 9 November at 9 pm only on Zee TV, Zing and Zest.

     

  • BIG FM brings Ramayana to life with AI twist

    BIG FM brings Ramayana to life with AI twist

    MUMBAI: What happens when age-old wisdom meets artificial intelligence? You get a Ramayana retelling fit for the reel world. BIG FM, one of India’s leading radio networks, has launched ‘BIG Ramayana’, an AI-powered audio-video series that brings the timeless legend of Lord Ram to today’s screens and streams. Narrated by acclaimed actor Saurabh Raaj Jain, the series transforms the classic epic into bite-sized, visually rich reels, a perfect blend of mythology and modernity.

    The first episode premiered on 20 October 2025, alongside the launch of the BIG Ramayana Anthem, a soulful ode to dharma, devotion, and destiny. Designed for digital-first audiences, the project combines AI-enhanced reels, audio dramas, podcasts, celebrity capsules, RJ specials, and trivia segments, giving the Ramayana a dynamic, cross-platform presence.

    “At BIG FM, storytelling is in our DNA,” said BIG FM CEO Sunil Kumaran. “BIG Ramayana represents our belief that when tradition meets innovation, it creates something powerful and lasting. It’s about connecting today’s youth to stories that have defined generations.”

    Echoing the sentiment, chief marketing & product officer Atul Razdan added, “We wanted to make mythology matter again for Gen Z. With AI and creative storytelling, BIG Ramayana lets audiences rediscover these timeless tales in formats they truly relate to.”

    Listeners can catch AI-enhanced episodes on BIG FM’s social media platforms and tune in to radio broadcasts Monday to Friday at 8 am and 9 pm. The show also streams on Spotify, JioSaavn, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Prime Music, and Gaana, proving that even an ancient epic can find its rhythm in a new digital dhun.

     

  • Hyderabad levels up as Comic Con and DreamHack unite for epic pop fest

    Hyderabad levels up as Comic Con and DreamHack unite for epic pop fest

    MUMBAI: Heroes, gamers, and dreamers assembled Hyderabad just turned into a real-life multiverse. The Maruti Suzuki Arena Hyderabad Comic Con, powered by Crunchyroll and paired with Dreamhack India, transformed Hitex Exhibition Centre into the capital of cool from 31 October to 2 November.

    Over 40,000 fans including 400-plus cosplayers descended on the venue for three packed days celebrating everything from anime and comics to esports and AR-fuelled fun. Organised by Comic Con India under Nodwin Gaming, the event fused nostalgia and next-gen tech in equal measure.

    Comic lovers geeked out with Mike Costa, writer and executive producer of Lucifer, and J. Gonzo, the artist behind striking covers for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Ghost Rider. Joining them were 17 homegrown comic creators, 9 performers, and 80 exhibitors, ensuring every corner buzzed with creative energy.

    Maruti Suzuki kept things fast and fun with a reflex challenge and display zone, while Crunchyroll’s booth had anime fans grooving to a non-stop playlist. Android Land’s Panfest drew BGMI warriors into live open lobbies, where digital battles matched the on-ground adrenaline.

    Meanwhile, Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle blended the old with the new, offering fans a VR-powered dive into India’s mythological universes. The Running Man Rage Room let visitors smash their stress away, while the Predator Badlands Zone and Zootopia 2 Zone kept the high-octane vibes going.

    Adding star power, DreamHack India celebrated its sixth anniversary with a gamer’s paradise of retro titles, KO Fight Night, chess blitz tournaments, and BYOD arenas. KMR YoshiKiller claimed victory in Tekken 8, pocketing Rs 1 lakh, while JLQ Hallmark took home Rs 40,000 as the Super Smash Bros champ.

    The cosplay highlight came with the Hyderabad qualifiers for the Indian Championship of Cosplay 2026, where Pracheta Banerjee bagged the city crown and Rs 50,000, earning a spot in the national finals.

    Gaming icons like Scout, Kaashvi, Ghatak, and Trace God met fans at packed meet-and-greet zones powered by Revenant Esports, while Red Bull athletes and Godlike creators including Jonathan, V3nom, Zgod, Sharkshe, and Payal lit up the Red Bull Tetris National Finals. Even childhood favourite Rob (Harun Robert) of M.A.D. fame joined the party.

    Performers such as Syed Bashaar, Vivek Muralidharan, Karan Singh, Celinedee Matahari, and Kayden Sharma brought music, magic, and mischief to the stage, turning the convention into a festival of pure fandom.

    Reflecting on the success, Comic Con India CEO Shefali Johnson said, “Hyderabad’s energy was phenomenal, people of all ages came together to celebrate pop culture. From Shinchan to Ironman, fans showed up in full spirit.”

    Nodwin Gaming co-founder & MD Akshat Rathee added, “We’ve once again brought pop culture and gaming together like never before. The enthusiasm from Hyderabad fuels us to make every season bigger and bolder.”

    With the capes folded and controllers powered down, Comic Con India now heads east with its first-ever Guwahati edition on 22–23 November 2025 proving that India’s pop culture universe is only getting larger, louder, and infinitely more legendary.

     

  • Notice & District turn popcorn into crowned glory

    Notice & District turn popcorn into crowned glory

    MUMBAI: What happens when cinema meets design? You get a popcorn bucket that wears a crown. In a spectacular fusion of creativity and fandom, District and Notice, the design-led experimental object brand, have joined forces to create a one-of-a-kind collectible for the 10-year anniversary launch of Bahubali: The Epic. The collaboration celebrates not just the film’s grand return but the fans who made it legendary.

    The idea was born when District suggested reimagining the iconic crown of Bahubali, a symbol of power, legacy, and cinematic grandeur. Notice took that spark and transformed it into an elevated design experience that turns an everyday popcorn bucket into a work of art.

    The result, a bucket crowned with a sculpted topper, blending functionality with fandom and turning a regular movie snack into a keepsake worthy of royalty.

    Crafted by Notice’s team of designers, engineers, and makers, each limited-edition piece reflects meticulous craftsmanship, every curve and contour designed to feel as intentional as it is iconic.

    “Rather than just create merchandise, we wanted to design a moment,” said the team at Notice. “A simple act like eating popcorn becomes a connection to Bahubali’s epic spirit.”

    Available exclusively at Miraj Cinemas, Mumbai, during the film’s release, this limited-edition collaboration stands as a love letter to storytelling, scale, and design that makes even the smallest gestures feel monumental.