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  • Sony Sports doubles down on desi connect with new Tamil and Telugu channels

    Sony Sports doubles down on desi connect with new Tamil and Telugu channels

    MUMBAI: Sony Sports Network is speaking the language of Indian fans literally. From 10 July 2025, the broadcaster will launch Sony Sports Ten 4 Tamil and Sony Sports Ten 4 Telugu, two standalone sports channels tailored exclusively for Tamil- and Telugu-speaking audiences.

    With this move, the network is not just adding channels—it’s sharpening its pitch. The new avatars promise culturally resonant, language-specific programming designed to deliver premium sports entertainment straight to the heartlands, with zero translation lag and 100 per cent local flavour.

    The Hindi feed is also getting a style upgrade. The current Sony Sports Ten 3 (SD) and Ten 3 HD channels will be rechristened Sony Sports Ten 3 Hindi and Sony Sports Ten 3 Hindi HD, making the offering crystal clear for viewers switching between formats.

    Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer – distribution & international business and head – sports business, Rajesh Kaul said, “The launch of Sony Sports Ten 4 Tamil and Sony Sports Ten 4 Telugu is our endeavour to provide localized content on dedicated Tamil and Telugu sports channels that make it easier than ever for fans to enjoy their favourite sporting moments in the language of their choice. This launch is about creating a seamless viewing experience and building a stronger emotional connection with our audiences in the regional markets.We aim to bring premium sports content closer to home and deliver the joy of live sports in a way that feels personal and relevant.”

    This regional realignment underscores Sony’s commitment to offering more personalised, emotionally connected viewing experiences. For fans who cheer in their mother tongue, the message is loud and clear: your game, your language, your channel.

  • Buzz Makers fires on all cylinders with Golden Bullet’s latest brand film

    Buzz Makers fires on all cylinders with Golden Bullet’s latest brand film

    MUMBAI: Tools don’t win medals, but the right ones sure get you closer. In its latest high-calibre campaign, Golden Bullet teams up with Buzz Makers and Olympic sharpshooter Manu Bhaker to deliver a film that hits straight at the heart of craftsmanship and precision.

    Titled ‘Champions Choose The Best Tools’, the film isn’t just a slick slice of sports-meets-industry storytelling, it’s a metaphor in motion. With Bhaker embodying focus and finesse, the narrative draws a bold parallel between elite athletes and everyday professionals who rely on Golden Bullet’s tools to deliver perfection under pressure.

    Golden Bullet partners at Industrial Tools Corporation,  Kamal Kampani and Akash Kampani shared, “This film is a celebration of the unsung heroes who shape our nation with their skill and dedication. At Golden Bullet, we have always believed that the right tools are essential for achieving excellence. Partnering with Manu Bhaker and Buzz Makers has allowed us to bring this vision to life, and we hope the film inspires professionals across industries to keep raising the bar.”

    Buzz Makers founder Krishnaa D Jajoo shared, “When we partnered with Golden Bullet, we discovered that India is facing a growing shortage of skilled labour across industries — with worker well-being being a major concern. That insight shaped our campaign direction: showcasing how the right tools can truly empower professionals. Collaborating with a visionary client like Golden Bullet, and bringing in a champion like Manu Bhaker, made the message even more impactful. It’s a perfect alignment of purpose, performance, and partnership”

    From buzzing workshops to world-class arenas, the message is clear: excellence demands equipment that performs. Since 1963, Golden Bullet has stood by engineers, builders, and makers. Now, with Bhaker front and centre, it’s celebrating those who aim high and never miss.

  • Rajhans Cinemas rolls out the red carpet for Surat’s real stars

    Rajhans Cinemas rolls out the red carpet for Surat’s real stars

    MUMBAI: Rajhans Cinemas swapped blockbusters for big hearts this week, hosting a special screening of Sitare Zameen Par exclusively for specially-abled children across Surat. The event, held at Rajhans Cinemas Vesu and Katargam, welcomed bright young viewers from Anand Special School for Education and Training and Deep Special Educational Trust, turning an ordinary day into one packed with popcorn, purpose, and plenty of smiles.

    As part of the brand’s commitment to “happiness beyond the screen”, Rajhans pulled out all the stops—right from accessible seating to an army of volunteers ensuring comfort and care for every child. The atmosphere was electric, brimming with laughter, wide-eyed wonder, and a few happy tears from parents and caregivers alike.

    Speaking on the occasion, Rajhans Cinemas chairman Jayesh Desai said, “We believe cinema has the power to unite, heal, and inspire. This special screening is a small step toward creating inclusive experiences that bring smiles and joy to every heart.”

    For Rajhans Cinemas, the initiative signals more than corporate social responsibility—it’s a reaffirmation of their ethos: entertainment for all, empathy at the core.

    And in a world of superheroes and stardust, it was clear who the real stars were that day.

  • Nash8 drops a manga bomb with Too Yumm! and Ananya Panday

    Nash8 drops a manga bomb with Too Yumm! and Ananya Panday

    MUMBAI: Nash8, the two-year-old rebel in India’s creative agency circuit, is turning heads and thumbing through manga to redefine digital-first storytelling. Its latest campaign for Too Yumm! K-Bomb, featuring Ananya Panday, is a full-blown manga-meets-masala moment crafted with Gen Z precision and platform-native flair.

    The campaign’s centrepiece is a short-form podcast in manga style, dropped straight into Instagram Reels, with Panday as a snappy, snack-obsessed alter ego. Vibrant visuals, QR-led real-world extensions, and billboard art channelled straight from Tokyo’s street corners. this wasn’t an ad, it was a digital universe.

    “Gen Z can smell a traditional ad from a mile away,” saID Nash8 founder and creative director, Nasheet Shadani. “For Too Yumm!, we created a universe that didn’t just reference manga — it lived and breathed it. We read over 50 manga books before we even started designing. That’s the kind of depth we try and bring to the table.”

    With clients like Urban Company, MakeMyTrip, Zee5, and NoBroker already under its belt, Nash8’s approach is crystal clear: no repurposed TVCs, just scroll-stopping, mood-board-ready stories that feel more vibe than pitch.

    In an industry still catching up to Gen Z’s attention span, Nash8 is proving that the future of advertising isn’t about shouting louder, it’s about speaking the right language, one perfectly placed frame at a time.

  • India gets its own Direction with Outstation, a boy band made for Gen Z

    India gets its own Direction with Outstation, a boy band made for Gen Z

    Mumbai: Move over metro pop and recycled remixes, India’s newest boy band is here, and they’re ready to make some noise straight out of Outstation. In a move set to reboot India’s pop landscape, Visva Records India, helmed by global music powerhouse Savan Kotecha, has launched Outstation, a five-member teen boy band aimed squarely at the hearts (and playlists) of young India.

    The group Bhuvan Shetty (22, Udupi), Hemang Singh (20, Prayagraj), Mashaal Shaikh (21, Goa), Kurien Sebastian (20, Delhi-raised Malayali), and Shayan Pattem (17, Hyderabad) were handpicked from thousands through a nationwide talent hunt. The final five emerged after a high-intensity bootcamp in Goa with 12 shortlisted contenders, making their debut a blend of hustle, harmony, and hope.

    At the helm of this pop experiment is Savan Kotecha, the 17-time Grammy nominee and songwriting brain behind hits for One Direction, The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, and most recently, Ed Sheeran & Arijit Singh’s chart-topping duet “Sapphire”. Kotecha’s latest venture aims to give India what it’s been missing, a fresh, youthful boy band that mirrors the diversity, charm, and talent of today’s young generation.

    “India has always had the talent, but not the pop group to match,” said Kotecha. “With OutStation, we’re flipping the script these boys represent not just metros, but every corner of India.”

    Backed by Republic Records and Universal Music India, OutStation’s launch is more than a band debut, it’s a strategic swing at creating India’s first mainstream Gen Z pop act, a space that’s long been dominated by Western imports. For Visva Records, which already boasts seven tracks in Spotify’s Global Top 25 (courtesy of its work on the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack), the group is a bet on building pop icons from the ground up.

    With slick production, personality-driven storytelling, and a roadmap rooted in long-term artist development, Outstation isn’t just a boy band, it’s a youth movement on a melody mission.

    As teen hearts and Spotify stats start to sync, one thing’s clear: the next big pop wave in India won’t be coming from a big city, it’ll be rolling in from OutStation.

  • ITB India 2025 bets big on ‘The Business of Experience’ to woo next-gen travellers

    ITB India 2025 bets big on ‘The Business of Experience’ to woo next-gen travellers

    MUMBAI: India’s biggest B2B travel show is getting a sensory upgrade. ITB India 2025 is set to return with a bang from 2–4 September at Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre, rolling out a brand-new theme: “The Business of Experience: Curated Travel for Targeted Growth.” Co-located with Mice Show India and Travel Tech India, this year’s edition is poised to spotlight niche, high-touch travel that promises to pamper the senses and delight the algorithms.

    Organised by Messe Berlin Asia Pacific, the show will see 400+ exhibitors, 600+ qualified buyers, and over 8,000 attendees, representing the full breadth of travel, from wellness and culture to cinematic and spiritual getaways.

    With 400+ exhibitors, 600+ qualified buyers, and over 8,000 attendees expected, ITB India 2025 will present niche travel experiences—from wellness escapes and cinematic journeys to spiritual and cultural explorations. Key participants include tourism boards from countries such as India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia (Sarawak), Kenya, and Sri Lanka, alongside leading hotels, DMCs, airlines, and travel tech providers.

    “India and South Asia are evolving into experience-first travel markets. ITB India 2025 is a catalyst for innovation and strategic partnerships to meet this growing demand,” said Messe Berlin Asia Pacific executive director Darren Seah.

    Confirmed tourism boards hail from India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia (Sarawak), Kenya, and Sri Lanka, alongside a stellar cast of airlines, hotels, DMCs, and tech innovators.

    Exhibitors can snag discounted rates till 15 July 2025, while trade visitors can enjoy super early bird offers until 25 July 2025.

    With India’s experiential travel scene heating up, ITB India 2025 promises to be more than just a trade show, it’s a trip in itself.

  • IMDb drops its 2025 mid-year movie chartbusters

    IMDb drops its 2025 mid-year movie chartbusters

    MUMBAI: IMDb has rolled out its mid-year honour roll of Indian cinema, and the results are a spicy mix of box-office bangers, buzzy reunions, and high-octane sequels. Topping the Most Popular Indian Movies of 2025 So Far is ‘Chhaava’, directed by Laxman Utekar, with Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna, and Akshaye Khanna winning over audiences and racking up serious page views from IMDb’s 250 million monthly global users.

    On the flip side of the calendar, it’s Rajinikanth who’s still ruling hearts and headlines, as ‘Coolie’, helmed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and reuniting the superstar with Sathyaraj after nearly four decades, tops IMDb’s Most Anticipated Indian Movies (July–December 2025) list.

    “We’re honored that Chhaava has topped the IMDb Most Popular Indian Movies of 2025 So Far list,” said Chhaava director Laxman Utekar. “What makes this recognition truly special is that it comes directly from the fans. Their overwhelming love and positive reception for this Maddock film and performances, led by Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna, and Akshaye Khanna, have been incredibly heartening. This inspires our entire cast and crew to continue creating stories that resonate with audiences worldwide.”

    “This recognition from IMDb reflects the incredible excitement our fans have shown worldwide,” said Coolie director Lokesh Kanagaraj. “The reunion of legends Rajinikanth and Sathyaraj after 38 years has created magic on screen, and we hope what we’ve created will resonate with audiences and match their expectations.”

    IMDb’s most popular Indian movies of 2025 (so far):

    1.   Chhaava

    2.   Dragon

    3.   Deva

    4.   Raid 2

    5.   Retro

    6.   The Diplomat

    7.   L2: Empuraan

    8.   Sitaare Zameen Par

    9.   Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh

    10.   VidaaMuyarchi

    Most anticipated Indian movies (July–December 2025):

    1.   Coolie

    2.   War 2

    3.   The Raja Saab

    4.   Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan

    5.   Saiyaara

    6.   Baaghi 4

    7.   Son of Sardaar 2

    8.   Hridayapoorvam

    9.   Mahavatar Narsimha

    10.   Alpha

    A notable crossover emerges as Mohanlal, Ajay Devgn, and Pooja Hegde each feature in films listed in both charts – doubling their screen mileage and their fanbase buzz.

    While Hindi films dominate both rankings, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam cinema flex their star power too with ‘Mahavatar Narsimha’ expected to release in five languages, proving that pan-Indian storytelling is no longer just a buzzword, but a blockbuster reality.

    IMDb’s rankings are based on actual page views of movies with at least a 6.0 rating and 10,000 votes, solidifying the platform’s role as a fan-driven pulse-check on global cinema appetite.

    To view the full list, watch trailers, or add these titles to your watchlist, head to IMDb.com — because, clearly, everyone’s watching.

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  • Rgyan unveils AI-powered spiritual guide Bodhi for the digital age

    Rgyan unveils AI-powered spiritual guide Bodhi for the digital age

    NEW DELHI:  Spiritual tech startup Rgyan has launched Rgyan Bodhi, an AI-powered devotional assistant that blends ancient wisdom with modern intelligence to deliver tailored spiritual experiences to users in India and across the globe.

    Billed as a “living, breathing spiritual companion,” Bodhi taps into users’ birth details, location, and preferences to offer daily Panchang insights, personalised horoscopes, and dynamic astrological remedies. The app also suggests curated mantras for peace, prosperity and health, alongside Shubh Muhurat timings and graha gochar alerts.

    “Rgyan Bodhi is designed to light up your path and walk with you every step of your digital devotional journey,” said Rgyan co-founder & CEO Umesh Khatri. “In today’s fast-paced world, people are truly seeking inner peace and deeper connections. We’ve used the power of AI to bring the richness of our spiritual/devotional traditions directly to individuals, customized to their unique spiritual needs. This isn’t just about information; it’s about nurturing genuine spiritual growth and holistic well-being.”

    The assistant also doubles as a gateway to India’s spiritual ecosystem, offering ritual guides, sacred texts, guided meditations, and smart recommendations for puja items, rudraksha, pilgrimages, and astrology consultations. Users can engage with Rgyan’s growing spiritual network through built-in community features.

    Founded in 2018 by Khatri and Devendar Agarwal, Rgyan started as a devotional blog and has since evolved into a full-stack spiritual platform. The company claims it has built Bodhi with a strong focus on privacy, data security, and cultural integrity.

    Available on both the Rgyan website and app, the platform has racked up 8.7 million+ user visits, 63.7 million+ impressions, 15,000+ content uploads, and over 10,000 e-commerce transactions. With more than 4,000 devotional blogs and 10,000+ watch hours logged, the company is now betting on AI to power the next phase of spiritual engagement.

  • Jeff Williams to hand COO reins to Sabih Khan, the man behind Apple’s global engine

    Jeff Williams to hand COO reins to Sabih Khan, the man behind Apple’s global engine

    CUPERTINO: Apple’s long-serving chief operating officer Jeff Williams is stepping aside later this year, with Sabih Khan—the supply chain mastermind born in Moradabad, India—set to take charge as COO in a long-planned succession.

    Khan, currently senior vice president of operations, will assume the role later this month. Williams will remain through the end of the year, continuing to oversee Apple’s design team and health initiatives, including Apple Watch. After his departure, the design team will report directly to CEO Tim Cook.

    Williams, who joined Apple in 1998, was instrumental in the launch of the iPod, iPhone and Apple Watch, and helped craft Apple’s health strategy.

     “Apple wouldn’t be what it is without Jeff,” said Cook. “Jeff and I have worked alongside each other for as long as I can remember, and Apple wouldn’t be what it is without him. He’s helped to create one of the most respected global supply chains in the world; launched Apple Watch and overseen its development; architected Apple’s health strategy; and led our world-class team of designers with great wisdom, heart, and dedication. I am and will always be beyond grateful for his numerous contributions to Apple over the years and his loyal friendship. Jeff’s true legacy can be seen in the amazing team he’s created and, while he’ll be greatly missed, he leaves the work of the future in incredible hands.” 

    Khan’s journey began in Moradabad, western Uttar Pradesh. After attending school in Singapore, his family moved to the United States, where Khan went on to earn a dual bachelor’s degree in economics and mechanical engineering from Tufts University, followed by a master’s in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York.

    He joined Apple in 1995 from GE Plastics, starting in procurement. Over the past three decades, Khan has played a central role in shaping Apple’s global operations—from logistics and manufacturing to supplier responsibility and green manufacturing. Under his leadership, Apple’s carbon footprint has shrunk by over 60 per cent.

    “Sabih is a brilliant strategist who has been one of the central architects of Apple’s supply chain,” said Cook. “While overseeing Apple’s supply chain, he has helped pioneer new technologies in advanced manufacturing, overseen the expansion of Apple’s manufacturing footprint in the United States, and helped ensure that Apple can be nimble in response to global challenges. He has advanced our ambitious efforts in environmental sustainability, helping reduce Apple’s carbon footprint by more than 60 percent. Above all, Sabih leads with his heart and his values, and I know he will make an exceptional chief operating officer.” 

    Williams, marking his twenty seventh  year at Apple and fortieth in the industry, plans to spend more time with family. “Sabih is the most talented operations executive on the planet,” he said. “I leave Apple’s future in very capable hands.”

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