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  • Pocket FM turns page with AI, unlocking new era of storytelling in India

    Pocket FM turns page with AI, unlocking new era of storytelling in India

    MUMBAI: Once upon a time just got an upgrade. Pocket FM is putting the ‘AI’ into imagination, unlocking a new chapter in storytelling for Indian writers and listeners alike.

    The world’s largest audio series platform has flung open the studio doors, letting anyone with a tale to tell see their words transformed into a fully produced audio show within minutes. Already, more than 30,000 AI-powered series are live, a number set to double by the end of the year.

    At the heart of this revolution is Pocket FM’s AI creator suite, a tool that whisks text into audio magic at lightning speed. Built in collaboration with Elevenlabs, the AI voices can slip seamlessly between drama, comedy, fantasy and romance, no more scratchy robots, just finely tuned emotion. For writers, the impact is staggering: What once took weeks now takes hours, with stories delivered 10 times faster.

    “This is not just a content shift but the rise of a new writer economy,” said Pocket Entertainment, co-founder, Prateek Dixit. “When human imagination meets AI innovation, the possibilities multiply. Writers can now share their work instantly, globally, and sustainably.”

    And it’s not just career writers reaping the rewards. Every month, more than 33,000 Indian listeners-turned-authors are publishing their own series on Pocket FM. Some are even cashing in top creators who are projected to cross Rs 10 lakh in earnings this year. Smash hits such as King of Dragon, Darshi: A Rebirth Story and Divya Yoddha Daksh show the appetite for AI-driven storytelling.

    For Nitesh Kumar Dayama, writer of King of Dragon, the experience was life-changing. “I didn’t have the money for editors or publishers,” he said. “Suddenly, I had a production team in my pocket. My words became an audio series in hours, and when I saw millions listening… and that I could earn from it, it felt like a breakthrough.” His series has racked up over 200,000 plays in under a month.

    Pocket FM isn’t stopping there. With plans to roll out its creator suite in multiple Indian languages and 200,000 new AI audio series on the horizon, the platform is doubling down on contests, contracts, and cash prizes worth up to Rs 15 lakh to nurture the next wave of storytellers.

    For India’s aspiring authors, this could be the ultimate happily ever after.

  • Apollo Tyres takes the front of India’s shirt in record guesstimated Rs 579 crore deal

    Apollo Tyres takes the front of India’s shirt in record guesstimated Rs 579 crore deal

    MUMBAI: Apollo Tyres has replaced Dream11 as the lead sponsor of India’s men’s and women’s cricket teams in a three-year pact guesstimated to be worth Rs 579 crore, the richest jersey deal in the sport’s history.

    Media reports state that the Gurugram-based company will pay the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI
    ) Rs 4.5 crore for each bilateral match and Rs 1.71 crore for ICC fixtures,  covering 121 bilateral games and 20 global tournaments through March 2028. Dream11 had reportedly been paying Rs 4 crore per bilateral game.

    The switch follows the government’s ban on real-money gaming platforms under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025, which ended Dream11’s contract and left the team without a shirt sponsor during the Asia Cup in Dubai.

    BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia called the deal “a partnership between two institutions that have earned the trust and respect of millions.” Vice-president Rajeev Shukla said the intense bidding—from Canva, JK Cement and other suitors—proved the “strong market confidence in Team India’s global brand.”

    Vinit Karnik from WPP Media had this to say on Linkedin: “Apollo Tyres stepping in as Team India’s lead sponsor marks more than a sponsorship—it underscores commitment to excellence on a global platform. Cricket is India’s cultural heartbeat, and this partnership reflects vision, scale, and legacy. At WPP Media, we are proud to stand alongside Apollo Tyres in this defining journey.”

    The Apollo logo will now feature on all formats of Indian cricket, giving the tyre maker unprecedented global visibility and underlining cricket’s unmatched commercial clout.

  • Makemytrip and Zomato serve hot meals right to train passengers’ seats

    Makemytrip and Zomato serve hot meals right to train passengers’ seats

    MUMBAI: No more soggy samosas in foil packets, train travel in India just got a gourmet upgrade. Makemytrip has teamed up with Zomato to bring meals from 40,000 plus restaurant partners across 130 plus stations straight to passengers’ seats.

    The move rides a wave of appetite: in FY 2024–25, more than 90,000 rail passengers used Indian Railways’ e-catering services daily, a 66 per cent year-on-year growth. With its new ‘Food on Train’ service, MakeMyTrip is banking on its Live Train Status tool to nudge travellers into ordering at just the right moment, ensuring breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks arrive piping hot.

    The partnership has already been soft-launched with encouraging results, showing travellers lean towards travel-friendly meals. To add festive flavour, passengers booking rail journeys on MakeMyTrip this Diwali will also get a complimentary coupon redeemable on Zomato orders.

    “Over the past few years, we have been growing faster than the industry in train bookings, driven by customer-centric innovations. Food on Train is another step to enhance the journey,” said Makemytrip CBO & CMO Raj Rishi Singh.

    Zomato, which has already served 4.6 million plus orders across 130 plus stations as an IRCTC-authorised food partner, sees this as a natural extension. “This collaboration makes meals seamless and enjoyable, delivered directly to your seat,” said Zomato VP for Product Rahul Gupta.

    Beyond food, Makemytrip is also reshaping every stage of the train journey with tools like route extension assistance, seat availability forecasts, seat lock, trip guarantee, free cancellation, live PNR updates, and real-time tracking.

    From steaming biryanis to paneer rolls, rail journeys may never taste the same again because now, your favourite restaurant is only a station away.
     

  • Lucira shines bright with 5.5m dollars seed round led by Blume Ventures

    Lucira shines bright with 5.5m dollars seed round led by Blume Ventures

    MUMBAI: Lucira Jewelry is proving that lightning and sparkle can strike twice. The fine jewellery startup, founded by ex-Candere creator Rupesh Jain alongside Vandana Jain, has raised a dazzling 5.5 million dollars in seed funding, the largest seed round ever for a jewellery startup in India.

    The round was led by Blume Ventures, with participation from Spring Marketing Capital, Siriusone Capital Fund, and marquee individual investors including the founders of Dot & Key, Livspace, Snitch, and Bewakoof. The raise marks a strong show of faith in Jain’s ‘second innings’ after successfully building Candere, later acquired by Kalyan Jewellers.

    Lucira is positioning itself as a design-first, sustainable luxury brand aimed at India’s new-age jewellery buyers who want more than just investment value. They want authenticity, craftsmanship, and emotional connection. Since its launch, Lucira has built a portfolio of 1,000 plus customisable lab-grown diamond designs, all IGI/GIA/SGL/BIS certified and backed with lifetime exchange and buyback guarantees.

    The brand is also stepping into physical retail, with its first Mumbai store opening this month and plans to add four flagship outlets by the end of FY 2026. The fresh funds will fuel this omni-channel expansion while strengthening digital-first buying experiences and technology-driven personalisation.

    “Indian consumers are moving beyond jewellery as mere investment,” said Lucira, co-founder, Rupesh Jain. “They want design, trust, and a brand they can emotionally connect with. With this backing, we’re ready to make Lucira India’s most trusted design-first fine jewellery brand.”

    For Blume Ventures, it’s a chance to back a category they see ripe for disruption. “Rupesh has already proven his ability to build and scale with Candere,” said Blume, managing partner, Karthik Reddy. “What excites us most is Lucira’s omni-channel vision, blending cutting-edge digital with physical retail to create a category-defining brand.”

    With capital in hand, Lucira is doubling down on design leadership, scaling its studio, hiring top talent, and embedding consumer trust at every step. As Jain puts it, “We’re not just selling jewellery, we’re shifting mindsets.”

    Cumulative Ventures advised the transaction, with Novolex serving as legal counsel.

     

  • Plum Benefits picks The Mavericks India as communications partner

    Plum Benefits picks The Mavericks India as communications partner

    MUMBAI: Plum India’s leading employee health benefits platform, has awarded its strategic communications mandate to The Mavericks India, an integrated marketing communications agency known for its brand storytelling and thought leadership expertise.

    Operating at the crossroads of technology, healthcare, and benefits innovation, Plum has steadily evolved from providing modern health benefits to startups and enterprises into a holistic healthcare ecosystem. Its offerings now span insurance, wellness, and preventive care, with recent forays into personal and business insurance, ensuring seamless protection for organisations and individuals alike.

    Under the new mandate, The Mavericks India will strengthen Plum’s communications across key touchpoints, building corporate reputation, stakeholder visibility, and a compelling brand narrative. The partnership will focus on amplifying Plum’s mission of making quality health protection, ranging from preventive healthcare and group benefits to individual coverage, a fundamental workplace right.

    Commenting on the collaboration, Plum Benefits, senior vice president, marketing, Shreyas Achar said, “At Plum, we are deeply invested in changing the way India views employee wellbeing. With The Mavericks India as our strategic communications partner, we are excited to craft a narrative that aligns with our purpose, resonates with our audience, and champions the role of health security in today’s workplaces.”

    The Mavericks India, co-founder and ceo, Chetan Mahajan added, “Plum is a trailblazer in the insurtech and employee benefits ecosystem, disrupting traditional models with empathy, technology, and innovation at its core. We are honoured to partner with a brand creating systemic change for millions of employees and employers. Our goal will be to shape authentic, insight-led communications that strengthen Plum’s leadership and connect deeply with stakeholders.”

    With the tie-up, Plum aims to sharpen its industry voice as it accelerates its expansion into business and personal insurance, setting the pace for a new era of employee wellbeing in India.

  • Orbitaid fuels India’s space race with new 2m dollars R&D hub in Bengaluru

    Orbitaid fuels India’s space race with new 2m dollars R&D hub in Bengaluru

    MUMBAI: Talk about rocket fuel for ambition! India’s space dreams just got a top-up. Orbitaid Aerospace, the country’s first startup dedicated to On-Orbit Servicing and Refuelling (OOSR), has unveiled a sparkling new research and development facility in Bengaluru, setting the stage for India’s next big leap in space sustainability.

    The 2 million dollars, 6,500 square feet centre was inaugurated by none other than ISRO chairman Dr V. Narayanan, who called the initiative a timely boost for India’s growing private space ecosystem. The hub houses India’s largest commercial infrastructure for Rendezvous proximity operations and docking (RPOD), think of it as a cosmic pit stop where satellites can refuel and extend their lifespan instead of burning out.

    Complete with a high-end control room, a class 10,000 cleanroom, and fuel-transfer facilities, the setup signals Orbitaid’s intent to play on the global stage. Dr Narayanan praised the effort, noting that docking and refuelling interfaces will be vital to India’s future missions and confirmed that ISRO is now welcoming private players to collaborate on such technologies.

    For Orbitaid, the new facility isn’t just a milestone, it’s a mission. Founder and ceo Sakthikumar Ramachandran said the company’s indigenously built SIDRP interface has reached technology readiness level 7, putting them in pole position to deliver life-extension services to satellites in India and beyond.

    And Bengaluru is only the beginning. The company plans to expand into Tamil Nadu with a manufacturing hub for propellant handling and satellite servicing, building what it calls a “circular economy” for space tech. Early backer Unicorn India Ventures, whose managing partner Bhaskar Majumdar lauded Orbitaid’s discipline and focus, is doubling down on support.

    The launch event drew dignitaries including the consuls general of Germany, Italy, and Switzerland, along with Startuptn and Unicorn India Ventures representatives. ISRO officials, defence leaders, academics, and space industry executives also turned up, underscoring how the startup has captured attention well beyond the launchpad.

  • Mille shakes up kitchens with protein-packed dal to coffee innovation

    Mille shakes up kitchens with protein-packed dal to coffee innovation

    MUMBAI: If dal could lift weights, it would probably taste like Mille. The supergrain brand from Wholsum Foods (of Slurrp Farm fame) has just dropped a kitchen-friendly fix to India’s biggest dietary gap, protein.

    According to Indian Market Research Bureau (IMRB) data, a staggering 73 per cent of Indian diets are protein-deficient, thanks to plates piled high with rice, roti and dal but little else. And while gym rats sip their heavy shakes and chew dense bars, the everyday eater has been left scrambling for easier answers.

    Enter Mille Protein Powder designed not for bodybuilders but for the rest of us. Available in two versatile formats, it sneaks protein into familiar meals without turning the kitchen upside down. The coffee-flavoured shake offers a comforting hit of caffeine with a whopping 31 grams of protein per serving, while the neutral, heat-stable booster can disappear into dosas, rotis, khichdi, pasta, dal, or even soup without changing taste or texture.

    “Our goal was simple: to bring protein back into the Indian kitchen,” said Wholsum Foods co-founders Meghana Narayan and Shauravi Malik. “Most people aren’t counting macros, they just want food that’s tasty and good for them. Mille makes it easy to add protein to what you’re already eating from your morning coffee to your evening roti without fuss.”

    Retailing at Rs 1,999 for 500 grams, Mille Protein hits shelves this month, with availability on millesupergrain.com, Amazon, and Swiggy Instamart.

    For a nation that loves its dal and dosa, Mille’s pitch is simple: no crash diets, no complicated routines, just protein made familiar, delicious, and everyday. After all, why should fitness buffs have all the shakes?

  • Tata Tea Gold paints Pujo golden with 10 art-led festive packs in Bengal

    Tata Tea Gold paints Pujo golden with 10 art-led festive packs in Bengal

    MUMBAI: If Bengal’s Durga Puja is a painting in motion, then Tata Tea Gold has just framed it in gold. This festive season, the brand has launched a dazzling campaign Banglar Shilpi Shojjito Pujo featuring 10 limited-edition tea packs designed by celebrated Bengali artists, each capturing a different ritual of the five-day celebration.

    The packs are more than packaging, they are canvases. From the thunder of the dhaak on Shashti to the swirling smoke of the dhunuchi dance on Nabami and the sindoor-smeared joy of Dashami, every pack is a stroke of nostalgia. Artists like Goutam Sarkar (acrylic realism), Gopal Naskar (myth-meets-modern pastels), Gourab Kundu (fluid watercolours), Anjan Bhattacharya (rich oils), and Joyeeta Bose (digital magic) have each lent their craft, creating a collectible series that doubles as an ode to Bengal’s artistic soul.

    The campaign extends beyond shelves. A special festive TVC opens with a steaming cup of Tata Tea Gold in a Bengali household before the vapour spirals into colours that paint vibrant pandals, neighbourhoods, and rituals across West Bengal. Every transition becomes art itself with the film ending on the evocative line: “Banglar Pujo Ek Sonar Chhobir Mawto” (Bengal’s Pujo is nothing short of a golden painting).

    “Durga Puja is not just a festival; it is an emotion that binds Bengal,” said Tata Consumer Products president for packaged beverages India & South Asia Puneet Das. “This year, by collaborating with local artists, we’ve brought those emotions alive on every pack, making Pujo feel as personal as it is collective.”

    The initiative builds on Tata Consumer Products’ vast consumer base of 275 million Indian households and its wide portfolio from Tata Tea and Tetley to Tata Salt, Sampann, Soulfull and Ching’s Secret. With a consolidated turnover of Rs. 17,618 crore, the company is betting on art and authenticity to deepen its festive connect.

    This Durga Puja, tea breaks in Bengal may just feel like gallery visits, cups steeped not only in flavour but also in festival, memory, and art.

  • Robert Redford, Hollywood golden boy and Sundance film festival pioneer, passes on at 89

    Robert Redford, Hollywood golden boy and Sundance film festival pioneer, passes on at 89

    MUMBAI:  Robert Redford, the incandescent star of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting and All the President’s Men, has died aged 89. His publicist Cindi Berger said he passed away on 16 September “at Sundance in the mountains of Utah – the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved”.

    Redford was far more than a matinee idol. After conquering the 1970s box office with a string of hits, he turned to directing and won a best director Oscar for Ordinary People in 1981. He then rewrote the rules of American cinema by founding the Sundance Institute and the Sundance film festival, which became the crucible of independent film-making and launched the careers of Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh and countless others.

    The Sundance Institute, the organisation he nurtured for more than four decades, issued a moving statement that read like a farewell to a guiding spirit. “Our founder, mentor and friend, Robert Redford, has passed away,” wrote acting chief executive Amanda Kelso and founding senior director Michelle Satter. “Bob’s vision launched a movement that, over four decades later, has inspired generations of artists and redefined cinema in the US and around the world. The vibrant storytelling landscape we cherish today is unimaginable without his passionate drive and principled leadership.”

    The note went on to praise his character as much as his achievements: “Beyond Bob’s enormous contributions to culture at large, we will miss his generosity, clarity of purpose, curiosity, rebellious spirit, and his love for the creative process. We are humbled to be among the stewards of his remarkable legacy, which will continue to guide the institute in perpetuity.”

    Redford’s own journey was a Hollywood script in itself. Born Charles Robert Redford Jr in Santa Monica in 1936, he dabbled in art and baseball before studying acting in New York. Early TV work led to Broadway acclaim in Barefoot in the Park and a breakout film role opposite Paul Newman in 1969’s Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. That began a decade of defining performances—Jeremiah Johnson, The Way We Were, The Great Gatsby, Three Days of the Condor—culminating in his dual role as producer and star of All the President’s Men.

    His later career was equally varied. He played a weathered baseball hero in The Natural, an adventurous lover in Out of Africa, and delivered a near-silent tour de force in All Is Lost (2013). He even joined the Marvel franchise as the duplicitous Alexander Pierce.

    A lifelong environmentalist and liberal voice, Redford campaigned against the Keystone XL pipeline and championed documentaries exposing political and ecological failings. Honours flowed: an honorary Oscar in 2002, a lifetime achievement Golden Lion in Venice in 2017, a César in 2019 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama in 2016.

    The Sundance Institute’s tribute captures the consensus on his influence: “Thank you for your participation in our work that carries on Bob’s mission and vision,” the letter concluded. “The vibrant storytelling landscape we cherish today is unimaginable without his passionate drive and principled leadership.”

    Redford is survived by his wife Sibylle Szaggars, daughters Shauna Schlosser Redford and Amy Redford, and seven grandchildren—an enduring family legacy to match the cinematic one that bears his name.

  • Sreeleela shines in Chicnutrix’s ‘Glow Mode On’ campaign, blending science with beauty

    Sreeleela shines in Chicnutrix’s ‘Glow Mode On’ campaign, blending science with beauty

    MUMBAI: Chicnutrix, India’s leading beauty and wellness nutrition brand, has unveiled its new campaign ‘Glow mode on’ featuring Telugu actor Sreeleela. With her radiant persona, strong youth appeal, and authentic approach to wellness, Sreeleela brings charm and credibility as the face of Chicnutrix, making her the ideal advocate for beauty and nutrition backed by science.

    Today’s skincare consumer is ingredient-conscious and seeks solutions that are effective and clinically validated. ‘Glow mode on’ reflects this demand with Chicnutrix glow, powered by Opitac Glutathione from Japan, the global gold standard in skin health, along with Vitamin C. Together, these ingredients target dullness, pigmentation, and uneven tone, delivering brighter, clearer, and naturally radiant skin from within.

    The campaign blends live action with Japanese anime to create a striking visual narrative. In the film, Sreeleela appears as a radiant force whose Glow transforms into a shield, defeating the villains of pigmentation and dullness, protecting her from external stressors, and amplifying her inner beauty.

    Chicnutrix, ceo, Shilpa Khanna Thakkar said, “Glow Mode On isn’t just a campaign, it’s a movement that speaks to every modern woman who knows true beauty starts from within. With Sreeleela, we have the perfect face to deliver this message with both glamour and credibility. She represents the balance of science and style that Chicnutrix stands for.”

    Speaking about her association, Sreeleela said, “For me, true beauty is about feeling confident in your own skin, inside and out. Chicnutrix glow combines clinically proven ingredients like Opitac glutathione and Vitamin C in a way that is simple, fun, and effective. I am delighted to be part of this campaign that encourages women to switch their Glow Mode On and embrace wellness as a lifestyle.”

    The ‘Glow Mode On’ campaign is now live across social media platforms, carrying the bold message that with Chicnutrix: Glow mode on is equal to skin problems off.