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  • Piracy gets a reality check as India sets up anti-piracy task force

    Piracy gets a reality check as India sets up anti-piracy task force

    MUMBAI: India’s pirates may soon find their screens going blank. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has announced the formation of a dedicated task force to crack down on online piracy, a menace that drains Rs 224 billion annually from the country’s entertainment industry, according to the 2024 Rob Report by EY and IAMAI.

    The scale of the problem is staggering with 51 per cent of Indian media consumers admitting to watching pirated content, both theatres and OTT platforms are losing revenue hand over fist. The Cinematograph Amendment Act 2023 had already introduced stricter penalties and empowered authorities to clamp down on illegal recordings and transmissions. Now, with a specialised task force, the fight against piracy is set to gain sharper teeth.

    Welcoming the move, JioStar CEO and IAMAI Digital Entertainment Committee (DEC) chair Kiran Mani called it a “timely and necessary step” that would directly channel industry expertise into decisive solutions. “By bringing together the collective experience of the ecosystem, we can help shape solutions that protect India’s creative economy and drive long-term growth,” he said.

    Echoing the urgency, Inshorts co-founder and CEO DEC Co-chair Deepit Purkayastha noted that piracy remains “one of the biggest hurdles” for the sector. “This task force is a chance to work hand in hand with the government to find solutions that really work. Together, we can set the stage for a stronger and more trusted entertainment industry,” he added.

    With stricter laws in place, industry leaders aligned, and the new task force gearing up, India’s media and entertainment sector has a rare chance to curb piracy, safeguard creativity, and expand its global influence. For once, it looks like the pirates may not have the last laugh.

  • PVR Inox marks Independence Day with 18 new screens in Mumbai and Bengaluru

    PVR Inox marks Independence Day with 18 new screens in Mumbai and Bengaluru

    MUMBAI: PVR Inox has turned Independence Day into a box office bonanza with the launch of 18 state-of-the-art screens across Mumbai and Bengaluru. The country’s largest cinema exhibitor unveiled a 10-screen megaplex at Sky City Mall in Borivali East, Mumbai, and an eight-screen flagship at Mahindra Millennium Mall in Bengaluru.

    Timed to coincide with the releases of Coolie and War 2, the two properties showcase the exhibitor’s boldest push yet into experience-driven entertainment. The Borivali megaplex spans multiple levels and features premium formats including Insignia, Imax with Laser and 4DX, with Instagram-ready foyers and lounge spaces pitched squarely at younger audiences.

    Bengaluru’s new multiplex promises even more experimentation: India’s first dine-in auditorium restaurant, an upgraded “Kiddles 2.0” cinema for children, Club Sapphire recliner halls, and VR/AR gaming zones. AI-enabled crowd-flow systems add a tech edge to the glitzy design.

    INOX Bengaluru

    PVR Inox managing director Ajay Bijli said the new cinemas celebrate “the freedom to experience stories in spaces that inspire, energise, and connect.”

    Executive director Sanjeev Kumar Bijli called the simultaneous 18-screen launch the firm’s “boldest step yet” in reimagining cinema as a multi-sensory destination.

    With 1,763 screens across 355 properties in 111 cities, PVR Inox continues to dominate Indian film exhibition. By positioning its latest properties as lifestyle hubs as much as theatres, it is betting that movie-going can be turned into a festival every weekend.

  • ShareChat ropes in Neha Markanda as chief business officer

    ShareChat ropes in Neha Markanda as chief business officer

    MUMBAI: Homegrown social media firm ShareChat (Mohalla Tech) has named Neha Markanda as its new chief business officer, handing her the mandate to scale revenues and deepen advertiser engagement across its flagship ShareChat app and short-video platform Moj.

    Markanda joins from Google, where she spent over three years as head of industry for e-commerce. She earlier led business marketing at Facebook India, and held senior roles at GSK Consumer Healthcare, where she steered brand strategy for Horlicks and family nutrition.

    Her two-decade career spans consumer goods and technology, including stints at HCL Technologies, PepsiCo—where she managed Tropicana, Pepsi Max and Gatorade—and ITC.

    At ShareChat, she will be tasked with sharpening revenue strategy, strengthening advertiser partnerships and pushing growth in a market where short-video and vernacular social platforms are battling for both user attention and ad dollars.

  • Dentsu turns up the volume with India’s first agency-led podcast network

    Dentsu turns up the volume with India’s first agency-led podcast network

    MUMBAI: Mic check, India branded storytelling just got a whole new sound. Dentsu India has launched the Dentsu Podcast Network (DPN), a dedicated vertical set to make podcasts the next big stage for brands to converse, connect, and create communities across Bharat.

    Podcasts are no longer just background noise. With over 650 plus shows, 100 plus brands, and 120 plus creators already under their belts, the trio of Aditya Kuber, Agith Kuruvilla, and Ashwin Gangakhedkar now vice presidents at dentsu are bringing their podcasting prowess from Ideabrew Studios into the global agency ecosystem. Their experience spans seven languages, from chart-topping Hindi originals to fast-growing regional formats, making them uniquely placed to amplify dentsu’s branded content play.

    Reporting to Dentsu Creative Isobar CEO Sahil Shah,  the new team will collaborate across dentsu’s media, creative, and CXM businesses to push the boundaries of branded audio. “Podcasts are no longer a niche; they are the most immersive and authentic way to connect with audiences,” said Shah, adding that DPN will help brands “tap into India’s cultural pulse” like never before.

    With India’s diverse subcultures and rising appetite for vernacular content, the opportunity is huge. As Dentsu Creative & Media Brands South Asia CEO Amit Wadhwa put it, “This is more than a media launch; it is a bold step towards shaping narratives that travel from the heart of Bharat to audiences across the globe.”

    In the months ahead, DPN will roll out original branded series, vernacular-first IPs, large-scale creator collaborations, video podcasts, and immersive storytelling innovations. The goal: to ensure every dentu client can harness the intimacy of podcasts and the diversity of Indian languages to build deeper, more meaningful brand affinity.

    For India’s podcasting scene already one of the world’s fastest growing, this could well be the big leap from playlists to power plays, with dentsu tuning brands into conversations that echo far beyond the metros.

  • Simran Kodesia takes charge of communications at Peak XV Partners

    Simran Kodesia takes charge of communications at Peak XV Partners

    MUMBAI: Peak XV Partners, the venture capital firm spun out of Sequoia Capital’s India and Southeast Asia operations, has appointed Simran Kodesia as head of communications. Based in India, she will be responsible for shaping and protecting the firm’s reputation across India, Southeast Asia and the US
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    Kodesia brings 17 years of international communications experience across consumer technology, hospitality and media. She joins Peak XV from DoorDash in San Francisco, where she spent nearly four years as director of international communications, steering the food-delivery giant’s consumer and technology narrative, managing global media relations and handling crisis strategy.

    Prior to that, she played a central role in Airbnb’s India and Southeast Asia expansion, helping to embed the brand in new markets and reframe travel culture through campaigns focused on community and conscious tourism. She has also held senior positions at The Claridges Hotels & Resorts, ixigo, and Hill+Knowlton Strategies, where she worked with marquee clients including Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Sony Entertainment Television on pre-opening launches, brand positioning and new-channel roll-outs.

    Colleagues describe her as a values-driven leader with a flair for storytelling that scales. Over the years she has built and led award-winning campaigns in collaboration with global influencers, founders and senior executives. Her expertise spans influencer marketing, strategic and corporate communications, crisis management and public affairs.

    Educated at the International School of Communication in London, with further training at the University of Zurich, Kodesia says she is motivated by building platforms that allow founders and brands to “tell authentic stories at scale.”

    For Peak XV, which manages over $9bn in assets and backs companies such as Zomato, Freshworks and GoTo, her appointment signals a renewed focus on narrative discipline as competition intensifies among venture firms in Asia and scrutiny of tech investors grows sharper in Washington and beyond.

  • Shaadi shopping hits jackpot as Omaxe Chowk gifts Rs 1.5 crore house

    Shaadi shopping hits jackpot as Omaxe Chowk gifts Rs 1.5 crore house

    MUMBAI: Who said wedding shopping only lightens the wallet? This season at Chandni Chowk, it might just hand you the keys to a Rs 1.5 crore dream home. Omaxe Chowk has rolled out its one-of-a-kind retail extravaganza Shaadi ka Mota Shagun making bridal trousseau shopping feel more like a game show. Starting 16 August and running for five months, shoppers will get more than bangles and bandhgalas; they stand a chance to win a house worth Rs 1.5 crore, a luxury car, two bikes, travel packages, jewellery, and daily to monthly rewards.

    The timing is as grand as the giveaways. India’s wedding industry, the second largest in the world, hit a whopping US 57.1 billion dollars (Rs 4.74 trillion) in 2023, growing 26.4 per cent year-on-year, according to IBEF. With nearly every sector from fashion and décor to jewellery and automobiles woven into the shaadi economy, Chandni Chowk has always been the bustling epicentre. Now, Omaxe Chowk is taking the tradition into overdrive by fusing heritage with plush retail infrastructure and digital flair.

    Omaxe Group executive director,  Jatin Goel summed it up: “Indian weddings are not just personal milestones but cultural events that drive one of the world’s largest wedding markets. With Shaadi ka Mota Shagun, we’re going beyond discounts, giving shoppers the chance to win prizes as grand as their celebrations.”

    From daily shopping vouchers to life-changing jackpots, the campaign ensures that every swipe of the card or exchange of cash could come with more than just shopping bags it could come with a set of keys, a flight ticket, or even a luxury ride home. For brides, grooms, and families alike, Chandni Chowk isn’t just where wedding dreams are stitched; it’s where fortunes may now be won.

  • Rode and Vortex team up to redefine remote audio

    Rode and Vortex team up to redefine remote audio

    AMSTERDAM: Audio specialist Rode and British codec maker Vortex Communications have collaborated in a technology partnership that could change the way creators work remotely.

    The collaboration integrates Vortex’s proprietary CallMe codec directly into Rode’s flagship production consoles — the RodeCaster Pro II and its smaller sibling, the RodeCaster Duo. The result is seamless, ultra-low-latency connectivity over WiFi or Ethernet, allowing creators to link up in real time without leaning on third-party software, external hardware or complex setup.

    According to Vortex, CallMe’s secure SIP IP audio connectivity effectively erases geographic boundaries. Users can connect console-to-console anywhere in the world or patch in a guest through a web browser, with a simple invite dispatched via email or QR code. The goal: to deliver clean, broadcast-quality sound with virtually no delay — something that broadcasters, podcasters, internet radio producers and voice-over professionals have long demanded.

    For Rode the integration marks a strategic leap. The company has pitched the RodeCaster range as all-in-one studios for the new wave of independent content makers, but until now remote contribution has been the Achilles heel of many setups. By embedding CallMe at firmware level, Rode is betting it can lure professionals who want plug-and-play reliability without the baggage of expensive ISDN lines, flaky conferencing apps or heavy post-production clean-up.

    The service rolls out via a free firmware update branded Rode CallMe Lite, offering one remote contributor, up to 10 hours of RodeCaster-to-RodeCaster audio per month and five hours of web-to-console calls. Power users can graduate to paid CallMe and CallMe Pro tiers, unlocking multiple guests and extended call time.

    Industry observers say the deal underscores a broader trend: pro-grade broadcast technology is increasingly being miniaturised, simplified and pushed into the hands of independent creators. Just as video conferencing apps democratised face-to-face meetings, Rode and Vortex are betting audio production can leap the same gap — with the quality standards of live radio and network television intact.

    Vortex is exhibiting at stand number 8.F60  during IBC which is to be held from 12-15 September at Rai in Amsterdam.

  • Saiyaara soars as July box office scripts 2025’s biggest blockbuster month

    Saiyaara soars as July box office scripts 2025’s biggest blockbuster month

    MUMBAI: The Indian film industry found its monsoon magic in July and the box office is dancing in the rain. After a lukewarm June, July 2025 stormed ahead to become the year’s strongest month yet at the Indian box office, powered by two juggernauts: Hindi romance-drama Saiyaara and the animated epic Mahavatar Narsimha. Together, the duo accounted for more than 45 per cent of the month’s total collections, proving that love stories and mythological action still bring audiences to the theatres in droves.

    Leading the charge, Saiyaara grossed a staggering Rs 392 crore, making it the second-highest earner of the year so far, behind only Chhaava. Close on its heels, Mahavatar Narsimha roared to Rs 259 crore, with the Hindi version alone contributing 75 per cent of the take. Add in Hollywood’s heavyweights Jurassic World Rebirth and Superman & The Fantastic Four: The First Steps and the July box office became a truly global playground.

    The cumulative box office tally for 2025 releases has already climbed 22 per cent higher than the same period last year, keeping the industry firmly on track to cross the Rs 12,000 crore mark by year-end. That would put 2025 in contention to dethrone the all-time record set in 2023 at Rs 12,226 crore. Language-wise, Hindi continues to dominate with five titles in the year’s Top 10, while Hollywood has clawed up to a 12 per cent share of the pie, its best since 2022. Kannada too got its moment with horror-comedy Su From So, lifting its share from under 1 per cent in June to more than 2 per cent in July, while Malayalam slipped from 10 per cent to 8 per cent.

    If July is any indication, 2025 could well end up rewriting the box office record books with Bollywood, Hollywood, and even regional cinema scripting their own plot twists along the way.

  • 40 years of Discovery: A legacy of wonder, knowledge & storytelling

    40 years of Discovery: A legacy of wonder, knowledge & storytelling

    MUMBAI: Thirty years ago, Discovery arrived in India as more than just a TV channel — it was a portal to worlds unseen, ideas unexplored, and stories untold. As Discovery turns 40 globally, the brand marks three transformative decades in India — celebrating its evolution  into a global storytelling powerhouse. Discovery continues to inspire curiosity, captivating audiences with its distinctive blend of education, adventure, and entertainment.

    From the early days of Discovery Atlas, Beyond 2000, Man vs Wild and the mind-bending MythBusters, it was never just television, it was education, inspiration and a gateway to global and local realities. From classrooms to living rooms, science labs to film studios, Discovery’s influence has transcended screens, shaping careers, expanding worldviews, and telling the stories of conservation, innovation, and cultural heritage like no one else.

    Warner Bros. Discovery South Asia MD Arjun Nohwar emphasises the impact, “For over three decades, Discovery has sparked imaginations, encouraged critical thinking, and created programming that left a mark in India. As we look ahead, our vision is to keep evolving with our audience, creating meaningful, relevant and future-forward content that continues to fuel India’s boundless curiosity. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the journey of these 30 years – it’s only with all your support that we are here today, gearing up for several more decades ahead.”

    In a country as diverse and dynamic as India, Discovery found powerful resonance through locally rooted stories. Shows like Breaking Point, Mission Frontline, India’s Paratroopers: Earning the Badge, Ladakh Warriors, Women Fighter Pilots, Journey of India, Revealed Franchise (Rashtrapati Bhavan & Siachen), Legends Franchise (Ramayana & Shiva), Secrets Franchise (Kohinoor, Sinauli & Buddha Relics), My Daughter Joined a Cult, Money Mafia, Hunt for India Mujahideen and Into The Wild with Bear Grylls, brought global scale production and storytelling formats deeply into Indian narratives. 
    Over the last three decades, Discovery has told the stories of the armed forces, collaborated with environmentalists, spotlighted women leaders, taken viewers from dense rainforests to war zones, from remote villages to cutting-edge laboratories, always with a factual lens and a wide-angle view.

    Warner Bros. Discovery South Asia head of content Sai Abhishek added, “For 30 years in India, Discovery has been a storyteller without boundaries — unearthing ancient archaeology, tracking wild animals in their natural habitats, venturing into the mysteries of space, exploring the depth of mythology, celebrating diverse cultures, capturing India’s defence might, and chronicling history as it unfolds. From riveting reality shows to awe-inspiring documentaries, we’ve brought local stories that entertain, enlighten, and endure. This anniversary isn’t just about looking back — it’s about continuing to surprise our viewers with stories exploring extraordinary new worlds.”

    To celebrate this milestone, Discovery has launched ‘My Discovery’, a nostalgic and people-powered campaign. On-air, the celebrations come alive every Saturday and Sunday at 6 PM all through the month of August, with a specially curated line-up of some of the channel’s most beloved titles. Under Extreme Action, audiences can relive the high-octane chaos of Destroyed in Seconds, which first premiered in 2008. Science & Innovation returns with the mechanical wonders of Extreme Machines from 1997 and the slow-motion revelations of Time Warp, which stunned viewers in 2008. Discovery Atlas: India Revealed – part of the celebrated 2007 documentary series, journeys deep into the country’s soul, offering a rich Cultural Lens. The thrill of Survival Against Odds plays out in Storm Chasers (2007), Junkyard Wars (1998), and the visceral storytelling of I Shouldn’t Be Alive: Science of Survival from 2005. Lastly, the impact of Human Endeavour shines through Doing Da Vinci, which brought Renaissance inventions to life in 2009, and Really Big Things (2007), alongside the gripping real-life rescues of Call 911 (2008). Each title is a window into the legacy Discovery has built, one story at a time.

    Beyond television, the #MyDiscovery campaign extends to social and digital platforms, inviting people to share how Discovery has sparked curiosity and shaped their lives. Through milestone moments, archival footage, and personal stories, the campaign taps into collective nostalgia while celebrating the enduring impact of Discovery’s storytelling. 
    For the past 30 years Discovery has been bringing stories of the world to India, and from India to the world. Continuing to reinvent itself, Discovery not only brings its rich library to audiences through its linear channel, but also showcases its commitment to cutting-edge technology by delivering content on its OTT platform, Discovery+. This allows fans to enjoy its stories anytime, anywhere, on the go. Today, with fresh formats and an expanded focus on regional storytelling, creator-led collaborations, and deeper integrations across digital platforms, Discovery is ready for its next frontier. 
    As part of the #MyDiscovery campaign, journey through inspiring stories brought to life by Discovery India — now on Instagram at:

     

     

  • Uniqlo launches new campaign with Rahul Dravid

    Uniqlo launches new campaign with Rahul Dravid

    MUMBAI: Global apparel retailer Uniqlo announced the launch of its new campaign, ‘Everyday Wear for Mr. Dependable’, starring former cricketer Rahul Dravid. The campaign highlights Uniqlo’s signature LifeWear philosophy, clothing designed to support all aspects of modern life with simplicity, comfort, and quality through two of its core products – the breathable AIRism Polo Shirt and the crisp Super Non Iron Shirt.

    Speaking about the campaign, Rahul Dravid said, “Being a part of the UNIQLO campaign is special as it reflects both sides of who I am in my regular daily life. I’ve always believed in keeping things simple and consistent, in sports and in life. Uniqlo fits into every version of my day – it’s simple, comfortable and functional.”

    In this special collaboration, Rahul Dravid steps into the spotlight, bringing Uniqlo’s comfort-focused clothing to life in a way that reflects his personality and daily routine.  

    In the campaign film, Dravid is seen in two effortlessly stylish modes: as his on-field self in the Uniqlo AIRism Polo Shirt, strolling past the nets as a coach; and as his off-field self in the Uniqlo Super Non Iron Shirt, heading out for a family dinner. Through a playful split-screen exchange between the two ‘Dravids’, the film underscores how UNIQLO clothing is dependable and versatile for every moment of the day.

    “We are very pleased to collaborate with the cricket legend,” said Uniqlo India marketing director Nidhi Rastogi. “Rahul Dravid represents the same consistency, simplicity, and quiet confidence that Uniqlo embodies. Through this campaign we showcase the two sides of Rahul Dravid, the coach on the field and the family man off field, showcasing that Uniqlo is a dependable choice of clothing for your everyday life”.

    As part of the 360° rollout, the campaign goes live across digital, social, CRM, in-store, and outdoor platforms starting August 18. The campaign will also feature a first-of-its-kind AR (augmented reality) experience activation at Uniqlo’s new store opening at Orion Mall, Brigade Gateway, Bengaluru on August 29, where customers can engage with a life-sized virtual version of Rahul Dravid through an interactive, tech-enabled zone.

    The Uniqlo store at Orion Mall, Brigade Gateway, Bengaluru, is set to launch on 29 August 2025.