ITV

Blog

  • From Netflix to Next-Gen AI, Akash Iyer joins OpenAI India as social lead

    From Netflix to Next-Gen AI, Akash Iyer joins OpenAI India as social lead

    MUMBAI: Lights, camera… AI-ction! After nearly seven years scripting cultural moments at Netflix, Akash Iyer is stepping into a whole new frame as the social lead for OpenAI in India. Iyer, who announced his move on LinkedIn with a mix of excitement and humility, joins at a pivotal moment. India is ChatGPT’s second-largest market after the US, and OpenAI is doubling down on its local presence with its first India office slated to open in Delhi later this year and a new India-only ChatGPT plan priced at Rs 399 per month.

    With over a decade in media and marketing, Iyer has a résumé as eclectic as it is impactful. At Netflix, he masterminded over 100 campaigns, from The Archies to the flagship Playback, scaled Youtube from zero to 20 million subscribers, and grew Instagram from 1 million to 8 million followers. Before that, he sharpened his storytelling craft at Buzzfeed, Sportskeeda, and The Glitch, dabbling in everything from viral video formats to sports explainers.

    His move signals OpenAI’s serious intent to court India’s fast-growing user base especially students, who, according to the company, use ChatGPT more here than anywhere else in the world. OpenAI comms head for Asia Pacific Jake Wilczynski summed it up: “India is not just a big market, it’s a critical one.”

    For Iyer, the leap is more than a career pivot. “It’s an incredible opportunity, but also a deep responsibility to contribute to building AGI for the benefit of humanity,” he wrote. With his cultural instincts and digital flair, OpenAI’s India story may just get the blockbuster treatment it needs.

  • Tenable adds up a win with Matthew Brown as new CFO

    Tenable adds up a win with Matthew Brown as new CFO

    MUMBAI: When it comes to numbers, Tenable wants nothing left exposed. The exposure management giant has roped in Matthew Brown as its new chief financial officer, effective immediately putting a seasoned hand on the calculator as it eyes its next phase of growth. Brown succeeds Steve Vintz, who recently swapped the CFO chair for the Co-CEO seat alongside Mark Thurmond. With more than 20 years in tech finance, Brown isn’t a stranger to high-stakes balance sheets. His last gig was at Altair Engineering, where he steered strategy, delivered consistent double-digit software revenue growth, expanded margins, and ultimately played a key role in clinching its 10.7 billion dollars sale to Siemens.

    His career ledger also features senior finance roles at Nortonlifelock, Symantec, Blue Coat, Brocade, Netgear, and KPMG, spanning everything from M&A and investor relations to operational excellence and controllership.

    “Matt brings a proven track record of scaling global technology businesses, delivering operational efficiency, and driving shareholder value,” said Tenable co-CEO Steve Vintz. “His strategic mindset and collaborative leadership style make him the ideal partner to help Tenable accelerate growth.”

    Brown, for his part, sounds ready to crunch big numbers: “Tenable is in a prime position to lead the future of exposure management. Pairing its market leadership with bold financial strategy is incredibly energising, and I’m ready to help propel the company to its next chapter.”

    Armed with a B.S. in Business Administration from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and a CPA licence in California, Brown is set to bring both rigour and ambition to Tenable’s books.

    For a company built on spotting vulnerabilities, this looks like one appointment that definitely adds up.

  • Sony bats big with Rag Rag Mein Bharat for Asia Cup 2025 roar

    Sony bats big with Rag Rag Mein Bharat for Asia Cup 2025 roar

    MUMBAI: When Suryakumar Yadav sends the ball sailing for six, India doesn’t just win a match 140 crore hearts leap together. That’s the pulse Sony Sports Network has bottled in its new campaign film, Rag Rag Mein Bharat, unveiled ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. Set in a small-town courtyard, the film captures the quintessential India-Pakistan cricket moment: neighbours huddled around a TV, silence stretching as the bowler runs in, before erupting into dhol beats, tricolour waves and unfiltered joy. And to seal the sentiment, none other than Virender Sehwag delivers the rallying cry: “When it comes to India, 140 crore hearts beat as one.”

    Sony Pictures Networks India, chief revenue officer for distribution & international business and head of ports business Rajesh Kaul called the Asia Cup “one of the most iconic tournaments in world cricket.” He said #RagRagMeinBharat is a reminder of cricket’s power to transcend divides of age, gender, region and religion. “Having Sehwag embody that sentiment makes it even more powerful,” he added.

    For Sehwag himself, the campaign is a throwback to his own Asia Cup days. “Walking into the dressing room, you could feel the buzz even before stepping onto the field,” he recalled. “The chants, the energy fans weren’t just watching; they were living it with you. That’s what this film gets spot on.”

    The 17th edition of the Asia Cup, played in the UAE from 9–28 September 2025, will feature eight teams in a T20 format, with group stages leading into the Super Four and the final. India, the defending champions, enter the fray with a record eight Asia Cup titles under their belt.

    Rolling out in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu across Sony’s broadcast network, Sony Liv and social media, the campaign is less an ad and more a rallying anthem. For a nation where cricket is religion, Rag Rag Mein Bharat might just be the battle cry echoing through every living room, street corner and stadium.

  • 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.

  • Wipro strikes the right chord with Harman DTS acquisition for AI-led growth

    Wipro strikes the right chord with Harman DTS acquisition for AI-led growth

    MUMBAI: When a tech giant meets a sound maestro, sparks fly louder than music. Wipro Limited has signed an agreement to acquire the Digital Transformation Solutions (DTS) business unit of Harman, a Samsung company, in a move that turbocharges its AI-powered engineering and consulting ambitions. The deal, expected to close by 31 December 2025 subject to regulatory nods, will see more than 5,600 DTS employees including senior leaders across the Americas, Europe and Asia, join Wipro’s ranks. The acquisition adds not just people, but precision: DTS specialises in domain-led design, connected products, software platforms, and AI-native accelerators, making it a prized catch for Wipro’s engineering global business line.

    “This marks a pivotal step in Wipro’s transformation journey,” said Wipro CEO and MD Srini Pallia highlighting how the deal blends DTS’ high-touch digital engineering with Wipro’s global consulting-led, AI-powered muscle. The aim? To accelerate digital innovation, cut time-to-market, and sharpen competitive edge for clients.

    For Wipro managing partner & global head of engineering Srikumar Rao,  the move strengthens the company’s software-defined, platform-centric approach, allowing it to deliver large-scale transformation across high-growth sectors like hi-tech, consumer, industrial, healthcare, and aerospace.

    From Harman’s side, the transition was framed as a springboard. “As part of Wipro, DTS will have the complementary capabilities and scale to expand its impact,” said Harman CEO Christian Sobottka while Harman chief strategy officer Carolin Reichert, noted the move frees Harman to double down on its automotive electronics and audio innovation.

    Crucially, the acquisition comes with a multi-year strategic agreement with Harman and Samsung, opening doors for joint growth and tighter collaboration in AI-first technologies.

    Advised by Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., the transaction tunes perfectly into Wipro’s larger symphony: uniting virtual and physical worlds, embedding AI across engineering, and orchestrating innovation that resonates across industries.

    With DTS set to integrate into Wipro’s engineering arm post-acquisition, the tech giant may well have composed its boldest note yet in the race for digital transformation.
     

  • Order in the court Kajol returns with fiercer fight in The Trial Season 2

    Order in the court Kajol returns with fiercer fight in The Trial Season 2

    MUMBAI: Justice may be blind, but this courtroom is about to see fireworks. The much-awaited trailer of The Trial: Pyaar, Kaanoon, Dhokha Season 2 has dropped, and Kajol’s return as Noyonika Sengupta promises a performance that is more fiery, vulnerable, and emotionally charged than ever before.

    Directed by Umesh Bist and produced by Banijay Asia, the new chapter premieres 19 September 2025 on JioHotstar. It picks up after Season 1, where Noyonika, once a timid housewife, re-entered law following her husband’s corruption scandal. Now she stands transformed into a razor-sharp lawyer and resolute mother yet Season 2 unravels her world piece by piece.

    Her husband Rajiv’s political ambitions (played by Jisshu Sengupta) threaten to tear the family apart, the law firm she depends on is riddled with rivalries, and a tangled love triangle clouds her judgement. In the dock is Noyonika herself torn between duty and desire, trust and truth.

    The series boasts a formidable cast, including Sonali Kulkarni, Sheeba Chaddha, Alyy Khan, Kubbra Sait, Gaurav Pandey, and Karanvir Sharma. Kajol teased, “This season is darker, deeper, and more personal. Noyonika isn’t just fighting in court, she’s fighting to keep her world from collapsing.”

    Bist revealed that Season 2 deliberately raises the stakes, balancing the intensity of legal duels with Noyonika’s internal unraveling. “It’s a layered story about power, identity, and the personal cost of standing up for oneself especially as a woman,” he said.

    Backing the show’s cinematic ambition, Alok Jain of JioStar positioned it as part of a bold content universe that challenges ideas of choice and identity, while Sushant Sreeram highlighted how international adaptations like The Trial (based on CBS Studios’ The Good Wife) are reimagined for Indian audiences. Banijay Asia CEO Deepak Dhar promised “a gripping ride with higher stakes, more intense emotions, and powerful performances.”

    Jisshu Sengupta added that Rajiv’s arc would shake viewers: “His ambitions have grown, but so has the cost. It’s love, regret, resentment and redemption colliding at once.”

    The original U.S. series The Good Wife, created by Robert and Michelle King, set the global bar for courtroom drama. Now, its Indian counterpart seems poised to go beyond the gavel blending betrayal, ambition, and raw humanity into a season that could very well be Kajol’s fiercest role yet.

    Order in the court: judgment day arrives 19 September.

  • Thermocool unwraps sleek new logo and packaging in brand refresh

    Thermocool unwraps sleek new logo and packaging in brand refresh

    New Delhi: The home appliances giant has unveiled a fresh logo, modernised visual identity and sleek new packaging as part of a complete rebrand aimed at connecting with young, design-conscious Indian consumers.

    The refreshed look is set to deliver consistency both online and in-store, with packaging crafted to appeal to a generation that prizes not only performance but also aesthetics and lifestyle representation.

    “This rebranding marks a significant milestone in our brand’s legacy… it brings our brand home with the aspirations of a new generation of consumers,” said Thermocool, director of operations, Tushar Gupta.

    Echoing the sentiment, director of sales & marketing, Tanuj Gupta added, “Today, consumers don’t just want more from the brands that they invite into their lives; they want not just functionality, but purpose and design that speaks to their lifestyle. It’s more than the next logo update or packaging redesign; it’s about reframing how Thermocool interacts with its consumers. From shelf presentation to product experience, we are dedicated to delivering clever design, exceptional performance, and a brand that embodies the principle of contemporary living.”

    The brand refresh will roll out across multiple channels, underscoring Thermocool’s bid to stand out in a crowded marketplace while reinforcing its promise of clever design, strong performance and contemporary living.

     

  • Priyanka Khimani, WoMI host global music leaders at Soho House

    Priyanka Khimani, WoMI host global music leaders at Soho House

    MUMBAI: Call it a power chord with purpose. On 21 August, Priyanka Khimani, one of India’s most influential entertainment lawyers and founder of Women of Music India (WoMI), hosted the second edition of the Global Music Leaders Reception at Soho House, Mumbai. The evening, backed by tech disruptor Nothing, pulled together a rare mix of executives, artists and innovators from across the world to tune into conversations about music, creativity and cultural exchange.

    What began in 2024 as a pioneering experiment has swiftly become one of the industry’s most sought-after, invitation-only gatherings. Conceived by Khimani and WoMI, the event aimed to spotlight India’s cultural heft on the world stage while bridging business and artistry.

    “India is no longer just participating in the global conversation but we are also helping shape it,” said Khimani, also a prominent advocate for artists’ rights. “Through Women of Music India, I want to ensure that women, especially, are at the forefront of that change. This evening is where those conversations begin, and where lasting partnerships are born.”

    Soho House, with its reputation as Mumbai’s creative hub, provided a fitting backdrop for the night, which blended dialogue with performance. Rising folk-fusion voice Mansa Jimmy, indie star Mali, and emerging acts Twinkle Agarwal and Akanksha Sethi lit up the stage, reminding guests that culture ultimately begins with the artist.

    The guest list had global flair: Jasleen Royal, Raftaar, Natania Lalwani and Roc Nation’s Andrew Gold rubbed shoulders with Universal Music execs and India’s indie stars.

    Nothing’s presence as cultural partner was no accident. Founded in London in 2020, the brand’s design-driven tech ethos chimed neatly with the evening’s celebration of innovation and artistry.

    By the close, the Global Music Leaders Reception had once again proved its role as more than a cocktail party. It was a bridge between India and the international music community, and a sign of how cultural capital is increasingly flowing both ways. 
     

  • Anuja Trivedi named chief strategy and marketing officer as Shemaroo eyes next phase

    Anuja Trivedi named chief strategy and marketing officer as Shemaroo eyes next phase

    MUMBAI: Shemaroo Entertainment has expanded the remit of Anuja Trivedi, elevating her to chief strategy and marketing officer (CSMO). In addition to leading marketing, she will now head the central strategy team, cementing the company’s sharper focus on long-term growth, integrated brand positioning and closer consumer alignment.

    Since joining as chief marketing officer in 2023, Trivedi has driven brand growth and boosted visibility for Shemaroo’s TV, OTT and digital platforms. In her expanded role, she will spearhead strategic initiatives and work with cross-functional leaders to unlock synergies across the group’s diverse business verticals.

    She brings broad experience spanning strategy, revenue and content, with stints at Disney Star, World Gold Council (WGC), McKinsey & Company, Morgan Stanley and PwC. At Disney Star, she shaped content strategy for TV and digital, driving Disney+ Hotstar subscriptions and improving TV market share in key genres.

    “Anuja’s role expansion comes at a time when we are sharpening our strategic priorities to stay ahead in an evolving media and entertainment ecosystem,” said chief executive of Shemaroo, Hiren Gada. “Her deep understanding of consumer behavior, market dynamics, and business transformation will be instrumental as we move into our next phase of growth.”

    Chief operating officer of Shemaroo, Arghya Chakravarty added, “Over the last two years, Anuja has been instrumental in shaping Shemaroo’s brand story. Her expanded role reflects our belief in her ability to bridge strategy with execution, drive cross-functional alignment, and keep the consumer at the center of all decisions.”

    With Trivedi’s new mandate, the brand is amplifying its bet on strategy-led brand building and future-ready planning as it caters to the changing tastes of Indian and global audiences.

  • Planet Marathi founder faces FIR after Bombay HC order on forgery

    Planet Marathi founder faces FIR after Bombay HC order on forgery

    MUMBAI: The drama has moved off-screen and into the courtroom Planet Marathi’s founder Akshay Bardapurkar now faces a real-life script of forgery, fraud, and financial conspiracy after the Bombay High Court ordered the registration of an FIR against him and three others.

    A Bench of Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ashwin Ankhad, ruling on Criminal Writ Petition No. 4170 of 2025 filed by former partner Soumya Vilekar, directed Mulund Police to book Bardapurkar, casting director Manali Dixit, notary Dodha Doulat Ahire, and Dhaval Shah.

    At the heart of the case is a forged partnership deed dated 3 October 2023, allegedly bearing Vilekar’s signature, photograph, and a fake notarisation. She claims she never signed the document, which was used to approach Axis Bank, Deutsche Bank, and others to secure loans and dispose of intellectual property, all without her knowledge.

    Vilekar maintains that her only valid exit was through a Deed of Admission-cum-Retirement dated 15 January 2024, and accuses Bardapurkar of fabricating the earlier deed to siphon funds. She says she was left battling multiple litigations originally aimed at the company, exposing her to reputational and financial harm.

    “This is not merely forged paperwork, it’s a premeditated act of fraud and conspiracy,” Vilekar said, adding that Bardapurkar had diverted company funds for personal expenses and unauthorised purposes.

    The fallout for Planet Marathi has been severe. Its offices have remained shut for months, the app has ceased operations, and employees have resigned en masse. The company is also facing NCLT liquidation proceedings, while Bardapurkar himself is entangled in multiple legal battles:

    . Rs 87 lakh cheque bounce case filed by Aayush Shah

    . Rs 20 lakh dishonour case filed by Mausam Shah

    . Personal insolvency proceedings by Verse

    . Several Section 138 NI Act cases across Mumbai, Pune, and beyond

    The High Court’s intervention comes after Vilekar alleged that Mulund Police failed to act despite her submitting documentary evidence. The ruling marks another twist in a saga that has seen Planet Marathi, once touted as a Marathi OTT disruptor, now teetering between financial collapse and criminal scrutiny.

    As the courtroom script unfolds, Bardapurkar, once celebrated as a cultural entrepreneur now finds himself at the centre of a story where the plot revolves around liabilities, litigation, and law enforcement.