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  • Bodhi Tree partners author Amit Khan to create original OTT and TV projects

    Bodhi Tree partners author Amit Khan to create original OTT and TV projects

    MUMBAI: Bodhi Tree Multimedia Ltd (BTML) has signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with celebrated Hindi novelist Amit Khan’s creative venture, Amit Khan Content Hub (AKCH), to jointly develop premium original content for television and OTT platforms.

    The partnership combines BTML’s production scale, operational expertise, and financing capabilities with AKCH’s prolific storytelling and loyal reader base. Together, they aim to deliver narratives that balance mass appeal with creative depth.

    A special purpose vehicle (SPV) will be formed, with BTML holding a majority stake. BTML will handle financing, operations, and strategic partnerships, while AKCH will lead creative development and production execution.

    Author of over 100 Hindi pulp-fiction novels and founder of AKCH, including the iconic Commander Karan Saxena series (which was later adapted into a Jiocinema series of the same name), Amit Khan said, “I am thrilled to join hands with BTML, a company that has consistently delivered high-quality and impactful content. With our combined strengths, we are confident of creating stories that will resonate with viewers and leave a lasting mark on the Indian entertainment industry.”

    BTML, managing director, Mautik Tolia, added, “This partnership is a confluence of creativity and capability. Amit Khan is one of India’s most celebrated novelists and storytellers, and we are excited to bring his distinctive vision to screens nationwide through BTML’s production infrastructure and industry relationships.”

    BTML, listed on both NSE and BSE, has produced 100 plus shows and over 3,000 hours of content across languages including Hindi, Tamil, Marathi, Gujarati, and Bengali. With this collaboration, both BTML and AKCH aim to target domestic and international audiences with fresh, compelling narratives.

    The first slate of projects is expected to combine rich storytelling with high production values, reinforcing both companies’ commitment to creating content that engages audiences across platforms.

     

     

  • Tulips launches adult diaper pants with Boman Irani as new ambassador

    Tulips launches adult diaper pants with Boman Irani as new ambassador

    MUMBAI: Tulips has officially entered India’s adult hygiene category with the launch of Tulips adult diaper pants, roping in Bollywood veteran Boman Irani as the face of its new ‘Life par full control’ campaign. The initiative seeks to start a national conversation and tackle the stigma around adult diaper use.

    The diapers feature an aloe vera–coated inner sheet for comfort, advanced leak protection for up to 10 hours with an acquisition deposition layer (ADL), odour lock technology for day-long freshness, and tear-away side panels for easy removal. Designed in a unisex pull-up style across all sizes, they resemble regular underwear, offering dignity and confidence to users.

    Speaking at the launch, Tulips, director, Rahul Jain explained, “Lifestyle-related health issues mean many seniors face urinary incontinence, yet only 2 per cent of the Indian market adopts adult diapers. Our short film with Irani encourages seniors to see diapers as a tool for independence, not a symbol of dependence.”

    Boman Irani added, “Age should not mean limitation. Tulips adult diaper pants allow seniors to live with comfort, independence and self-respect.”

    Tulips has a legacy of innovation, from introducing India’s first 100 per cent flushable wet wipes in 2017 to developing Covid swabs during the pandemic. With over 60 million units sold annually across 17 countries, the brand continues to prioritise real-life solutions and consumer trust.

     

  • Flipkart turns Bigg Boss house into a fashion battleground

    Flipkart turns Bigg Boss house into a fashion battleground

    MUMBAI: They said no one dresses well inside their house. The Bigg Boss housemates begged to differ—and proved it by ransacking a Flipkart fashion rack in record time.

    What unfolded inside India’s most-watched reality television house was part retail experiment, part feeding frenzy. When Flipkart installed its Fashion Studio inside the Bigg Boss residence and Salman Khan announced the Flipkart Fashion Icon contest, contestants descended upon the carefully curated collection with the urgency of shoppers at a clearance sale. Within minutes, the rack stood empty, its trendy offerings claimed, worn and paraded before millions of viewers.

    The audacious collaboration, timed to coincide with Flipkart’s Big Billion Days sale bonanza, represented a watershed moment in Indian entertainment commerce. It wasn’t merely product placement or brand integration—it was retail theatre performed live, where the country’s biggest e-commerce player turned a television set into a functioning fashion outlet and contestants into unwitting style influencers.

    The machinery behind this spectacle involved three distinct organisations working in concert. Flipkart deployed a team led by Pratik Shetty and Akash Jain, alongside Nikita Prakash, Pooja Sha, Sneha Narang, Vijay Sharma, Rahul Valecha and Akshay Doshi. Creative agency Essence, steered by Sunny Rangwani and Tejashree R., handled the conceptual heavy lifting. JioStar’s production apparatus, including senior supervising producer Tanya Chopra—who served as creative lead for the Bigg Boss contingent—along with Sameer Tripathy, Nandita Ramesh and Patrick Ignatious, wove the commercial proposition into the show’s narrative fabric.

    The result was seamless, if slightly chaotic. As housemates draped themselves in Flipkart’s latest offerings, the boundary between entertainment and shopping dissolved entirely. Viewers watched contestants model, mix, match and compete in outfits that could be purchased with a few taps on their phones—a real-time fashion show with immediate purchase potential.

    For Flipkart, the payoff extended far beyond traditional advertising metrics. This wasn’t a celebrity endorsement or a sponsored segment; it was organic consumption captured on camera, complete with genuine reactions, styling choices and the implicit endorsement that comes from watching someone actually want to wear something badly enough to compete for it.

    The speed with which the Fashion Studio sold out suggested that Bigg Boss contestants, despite living under constant surveillance in a sealed environment, harbour the same fashion anxieties and aspirations as viewers watching from home. Perhaps everyone, regardless of circumstance, wants to dress well inside their house after all—especially when cameras are rolling and millions are watching.

  • Sanmarg CMD Vivek Gupta assumes INS presidency for 2025–26

    Sanmarg CMD Vivek Gupta assumes INS presidency for 2025–26

    MUMBAI: Vivek Gupta has turned the page, and this time, it’s for the entire Indian newspaper industry. The managing director and chief group editor of Kolkata-based Hindi daily Sanmarg has been elected president of the Indian Newspaper Society (INS) for 2025–26, taking over from MV Shreyams Kumar of Mathrubhumi.

    The 86th annual general meeting, held on 25 September via video conferencing, also saw Karan Rajendra Darda of Lokmat elected deputy president, Tanmay Maheshwari of Amar Ujala as vice president, and Anant Nath of Grihshobhika as honorary treasurer. Mary Paul continues as the society’s secretary-general.

    INS, the apex body for newspaper, magazine, and periodical publishers in India, has been a barometer of the industry’s pulse for decades. Shreyams Kumar, in his presidential address, praised the resilience of India’s newspaper ecosystem, particularly in a rapidly digitalising world.

    Gupta, a former Rajya Sabha MP and current MLA from Jorasanko, expressed his humility and pride. “It is an honour to be among the few from Bengal in INS’s 86-year history to hold this prestigious position. This recognition belongs to the entire Sanmarg family, my colleagues, and well-wishers. I look forward to strengthening the newspaper industry, fostering innovation, and upholding credible journalism,” he said.

    The INS executive committee for 2025–26 reads like a who’s who of Indian publishing, including industry stalwarts like S Balasubramanian Adityan (Daily Thanthi), Vijay Kumar Chopra (Punjab Kesari), Viveck Goenka (The Indian Express), Mahendra Mohan Gupta (Dainik Jagran), and Mohit Jain (Economic Times).

    With India’s print industry still brimming with potential, Gupta’s leadership comes at a crucial time to balance tradition with modernity. As the sector navigates the hybrid world of print, digital, video, and social media, industry voices like INS will be pivotal in charting the future.

     

  • Dandiya dazzle as Hindi cinema joins Falguni Pathak fun

    Dandiya dazzle as Hindi cinema joins Falguni Pathak fun

    MUMBAI: Talk about a Hindi cinema beat! The Radiance Dandiya Navratri Utsav 2025 with Falguni Pathak turned Mumbai into a whirlwind of music, colour, and star-studded glamour as the cast of Sunny sanskari ki tulsi kumari: Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Rohit Saraf, Sanya Malhotra and Maniesh Paul, took to the stage on Sunday night.

    Thousands of fans in vibrant festive attire cheered as the stars grooved alongside Falguni Pathak to the chartbuster anthem ‘Bijuria’, breaking into the hook step and creating a magical fusion of Hindi cinema sparkle and Dandiya tradition. The cast also performed a high-energy dance to the peppy track ‘Panwadi’ from their upcoming film, with fans singing along and waving to the rhythm.

    Falguni Pathak’s evergreen hits and signature Garba beats kept the crowd dancing through the night, while a wave of patriotic cheer swept the arena as Team India clinched the Asia Cup 2025. Over seven nights, the festival transformed the Jio World Convention Centre into a hub of devotion, music, and celebration, with special private pods adding a touch of exclusive fun for close groups.

    The event also drew celebrity guests including Dilip Joshi, Divyanka Tripathi, Rupali Ganguly, Orry and Viraj Ghelani, soaking in the festive spirit. Produced by Tribevibe Entertainment, a Bookmyshow company, and Purple Blue Events & Ideas, the Utsav showcased a seamless blend of tradition and modernity, setting a new benchmark for Navratri celebrations in Mumbai.

    With more energetic performances and timeless music to come, Falguni Pathak’s Navratri nights promise to keep the city dancing and celebrating long into the festival season.

  • Groom and glow with Peesafe’s Furr festive campaign

    Groom and glow with Peesafe’s Furr festive campaign

    MUMBAI: Talk about a festive face-lift! Furr, the premium grooming brand from Peesafe, has rolled out its DVC campaign Get ready with Furr, helping everyone achieve instant confidence and festive-ready glow.

    The campaign spotlights Furr’s most-loved products including Bamboo charcoal nose strips for speedy blackhead removal, Acne relief patches that tackle breakouts overnight, and the Dual head face razor for a smooth, radiant finish in minutes. The brand promises fast, effective grooming without compromising on comfort or skin safety.

    Founder Vikas Bagaria says, “With Furr, grooming is about simple self-care that boosts confidence. Get ready with Furr encourages quick, easy routines that make you feel your best without stress.”

    The broader product line includes underarm roll-ons, rechargeable trimmers, callus removers, foot care kits, bikini line razors and moisturising shaving foam, all dermatologically tested and designed for convenience. Fast-commerce platforms like Blinkit, Instamart and Zepto make it possible to be festive-ready in minutes, even amid last-minute celebrations.

    This campaign reinforces Furr’s mission to make grooming inclusive, safe, and effortlessly effective. As the festive season kicks off, the message is clear: glow on your terms, fast and confidently, with a little help from Furr.

  • Gallant Sports gears up Dream Dash finale with Usain Bolt in Mumbai, Delhi

    Gallant Sports gears up Dream Dash finale with Usain Bolt in Mumbai, Delhi

    When the world’s fastest man watches India’s fastest kids, you know the track is set for fireworks. Dream Dash, a first-of-its-kind multi-city sprinting competition for school children, is gearing up for a blockbuster finale where none other than Usain Bolt will be the Guest of Honour. And ensuring the young athletes sprint on world-class tracks is Gallant Sports, the country’s leading sports infrastructure company, which has partnered as the official Infrastructure Partner.

    The sprint series, conceptualised by KPMG in India and presented by Dreamsetgo, puts grassroots sprinting firmly on the national stage. Children from Grades 3 to 9 have already laced up for 100m and 200m races, starting with school-level heats and progressing to inter-school city finals. The fastest of them all will now line up at the grand finales in Mumbai and Delhi, racing not just for glory but in front of the Jamaican legend himself.

    For Gallant Sports, the event is a showcase of what it does best building the right stage for sporting dreams. From the design of running tracks to preparing competition surfaces, Gallant has ensured that every venue matches international standards.

    “Sports dreams are born on the right grounds,” said Gallant sports & infra founder & CEO Nasir Ali. “At Gallant, we’ve always focused on creating accessible and inclusive facilities that encourage participation and build confidence. Our association with Dream Dash gives us the opportunity to support young sprinters with the infrastructure they need to pursue their ambitions.”

    While winning will always grab headlines, Dream Dash puts equal emphasis on participation. Every child who competes whether they cross the line first or not will receive a medal and certificate, ensuring no one leaves without a moment of pride. It’s a reminder that sport is as much about the journey as the podium.

    The initiative is also part of a larger conversation: India’s urgent need for more safe, durable, and affordable sports infrastructure in schools and communities. Gallant Sports has been leading that charge, working to make sport a shared experience rather than a privilege limited to a few.

    With Usain Bolt watching from the sidelines and young Indians sprinting towards their dreams, the finale of Dream Dash promises to be a celebration of both fitness and aspiration. If the right environment can turn potential into performance, then this partnership may well spark the next generation of champions.

  • TTT and Maybelline launch gen z microdrama ‘Pookie’ capturing college romance

    TTT and Maybelline launch gen z microdrama ‘Pookie’ capturing college romance

    MUMBAI: Collective Artists Network’s Terribly Tiny Tales (TTT), India’s leading storytelling platform, has released Pookie, a four-episode microdrama that captures the messy, funny, and tender moments of college life.

    Backed by Maybelline New York’s super-stay matte ink collection, the series follows the journey of Raima, played by content creator Tarini Shah, a lively, coffee-loving student full of hobbies and Arko, a quieter soul who finds joy in nature and simplicity.

    Pookie reflects on first friendships, first love, and the small yet unforgettable experiences that shape college years. With its unfiltered, relatable tone, the series resonates with gen z audiences, spotlighting how beauty and self-expression go hand-in-hand in today’s world.

    Speaking about the collaboration, Maybelline New York India, general manager, Jessica Rode said, “Confidence and self-expression are at the heart of today’s generation. Pookie with TTT gave us the perfect opportunity to be part of a story that felt authentic and relevant to our consumers. The emerging format of micro-dramas really helped us engage young audiences beyond traditional campaigns and build a real connection between the brand and viewers.”

    Featuring popular content creator Tarini Shah, whose presence in the fashion and lifestyle space amplifies the authenticity of the story, the series deepens its relatability for gen z audiences.

    Terribly Tiny Tales, founder & CEO, Anuj Gosalia added, “Pookie was fun, heartfelt, and rooted in everyday experiences. It’s always special when brands support us in experimenting with formats like micro-dramas. TTT is on an exciting growth curve, and with partners like Maybelline, we’re even more motivated to deliver fresh, diverse storytelling.”

    Pookie premiered on TTT’s Youtube channel on 27th September, with the finale streaming on 30th September 2025.

  • US Open smashes records in India with 877m watch minutes on JioStar

    US Open smashes records in India with 877m watch minutes on JioStar

    MUMBAI: When the ball hit the lines at Flushing Meadows this year, Indian audiences weren’t just watching, they were glued to their screens in record numbers. JioStar Network has revealed that the US Open 2025 clocked a staggering 877 million minutes of watch-time across Linear TV and Digital platforms, marking a watershed moment for tennis in India.

    This year’s edition opened with a twist: a novel mixed doubles format that instantly broadened the tournament’s appeal. On Linear TV alone, the event amassed 388 million minutes of total watch time, the highest ever for the US Open in the BARC era. The Hindi commentary experiment struck gold, drawing in viewers far beyond the sport’s traditional base. In fact, 18 million Indians tuned in, a 96 per cent jump year-on-year setting new records for reach.

    On JioHotstar, the digital stream lit up as fans followed Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz lifting the singles crowns. Together, online audiences clocked 489 million minutes of watch time, a figure that underlines both the pull of tennis and the power of accessible streaming.

    JioStar Sports head of audience engagement and monetization Siddharth Sharma said: “We have a strong belief in the fandom for tennis and the US Open in particular, and our proposition was built around that. The success we achieved across both our linear and digital platforms is a clear sign of the ever-growing passion for tennis in India.”

    The achievement cements JioStar’s positioning as India’s ultimate sporting destination, adding the US Open to a roster that already includes rights to ICC events, India’s men’s and women’s cricket teams, the TATA IPL and WPL, the Premier League, Wimbledon, and the Pro Kabaddi League. With such a calendar, JioStar has created a platform where global and domestic sporting milestones converge for Indian fans.

    The success of the US Open is more than a stat-sheet triumph. It signals tennis breaking through to a wider audience in India, a country where cricket usually reigns unchallenged. With 877 million minutes of passion, it’s clear the sport has found a new gear and JioStar, the perfect stage.

  • Bhagwat puts truth on trial as Arshad and Jitendra clash in Zee5 thriller

    Bhagwat puts truth on trial as Arshad and Jitendra clash in Zee5 thriller

    MUMBAI: When truth plays hide and seek with lies, the chase makes for dangerous cinema. Zee5, India’s largest homegrown video streaming platform, has lifted the curtain on its next original film, Bhagwat, a taut crime thriller inspired by true events. Produced by Jio Studios in association with Baweja Studios and Dog ‘n’ Bone Pictures, the film promises an edge-of-the-seat battle between morality and deception.

    At the centre of Bhagwat is Inspector Vishwas Bhagwat, played by Arshad Warsi, whose seemingly routine case of a missing woman mutates into a sinister labyrinth of secrets, suspected trafficking, and unrelenting deceit. In parallel, a fragile romance brews between Meera and Sameer, portrayed by Jitendra Kumar, a professor whose vulnerability offers a stark counterpoint to the dark suspense unfolding in Robertsganj, Uttar Pradesh.

    Directed by Akshay Shere, the film marks a fresh pairing of two powerhouse performers. Warsi, best known for his wry comic timing, plunges into gritty intensity, while Jitendra Kumar, beloved for his affable roles in Panchayat and Kota Factory, pivots into uncharted territory. Their face-off anchors a thriller where emotion and tension collide.

    “Bhagwat is a powerful reflection of our vision: a gripping thriller that’s as emotionally layered as it is suspenseful,” said Kaveri Das, Business Head – Hindi, Zee5. “Arshad Warsi brings remarkable nuance, while Jitendra Kumar’s compelling avatar is sure to surprise.”

    For Jio Studios COO & CFO Priyanka Chaudhary the film underlines a mission to deliver stories rooted in India yet resonant globally. “Bhagwat embodies that mission, a taut, heartland thriller that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. Building on the success of Mrs., this marks another exciting collaboration with Zee5,” she noted.

    Producer Harman Baweja echoed the sentiment, calling the film “a journey into the shadows of human nature, where love, deception, and justice collide.” For Baweja Studios, Bhagwat is another stride in backing stories that are bold, relevant, and emotionally compelling.

    Zee5, which has been steadily building a slate of original dramas that go beyond formula, sees Bhagwat as one of its standout offerings of the year. With its mix of crime, suspense, and romance, the film seeks not only to entertain but to leave viewers reflecting long after the credits roll.

    Streaming soon and exclusively on Zee5, Bhagwat promises to keep audiences guessing right until the final reveal.