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  • Animeta rolls camera on AI Film Studio to redefine storytelling in digital age

    Animeta rolls camera on AI Film Studio to redefine storytelling in digital age

    MUMBAI: Lights, camera, algorithm. Animeta, the Singapore-based creator tech company, has launched its brand-new vertical, Animeta AI Film Studio, in Mumbai, promising to shake up the way stories are told on screen.

    Billed as a first-of-its-kind hybrid studio, the venture combines human creativity with cutting-edge AI tools to deliver everything from slick promotional clips to full-length films. The aim is to help filmmakers, brands and creators merge original scripts, music and voiceovers with AI-driven visuals that preserve artistic intent while speeding up production.

    The studio is powered by Animeta’s patent-pending AI model and bolstered by its participation in Google Cloud’s startup programme, giving it access to Vertex AI’s veo3 video generation model along with copyright indemnity on content created through the platform.

    “For two decades, I have reimagined storytelling through animation. Now our AI Film Studio is here to push those boundaries further,” said Animeta founder Anish Mehta. “By blending creativity with AI, we are empowering storytellers to scale their vision faster, smarter and with greater confidence.”

    The new division builds on Animeta’s strengths in computer vision, natural language processing, video encoding and large language models. It also draws from the company’s experience producing award-winning influencer-led content for global names like Amazon, Starbucks, L’oréal, Tata Group and Mcdonald’s, powered by its tech platform Animeta Brandstar and a creator network of more than 400,000.

    With this launch, Animeta hopes to give creators a futuristic canvas where imagination meets innovation, ensuring that storytelling not only keeps pace with the digital era but stays one step ahead.

    Because in today’s content-hungry world, the future of film might just be part human, part machine, and all story.

  • Reality Ranis of the Jungle returns with wilder twists and fiercer challenges

    Reality Ranis of the Jungle returns with wilder twists and fiercer challenges

    MUMBAI: The jungle drums are beating louder. Warner Bros. Discovery has brought back its all-women adventure reality show ‘Reality Ranis of the Jungle’ for a high-octane second season, now set against the rugged backdrop of Goa’s coastline.

    Premiered on 22 September at 9:30 pm on Discovery Channel and discovery plus, the show raises the stakes with tougher challenges, wilder tasks and double the drama. Host Varun Sood returns with his trademark energy, guiding 12 new contestants as they battle it out for the title of “Reality Rani of the Jungle”.

    This season’s line-up features Archana Gautam, Bhavya Singh, Hiiya Bajwa, Irina Rudakova, Ishu Kashyap, Jayshree Roy, Nishu Kashyap, Prachi Shevgaonkar, Sanskruti Salunke (Sasa), Samyukta Hegde, Sara Gurpal and Scarlett Rose. Adding a dose of unpredictability, Rakhi Sawant joins as a surprise guest, promising extra chaos and comedy.

    From swimming back to shore after being dropped into the ocean, to enduring gut-wrenching tasks like being buried underground or holding sheep eyeballs in their mouths, the Ranis face raw survival mixed with shocking twists. Along the way, friendships form, betrayals sting and grit is tested to its limits.

    “Reality-adventure has emerged as one of the most dynamic genres in entertainment,” said Warner Bros. Discovery, managing director – south Asia, Arjun Nohwar. “Season 2 blends bold spectacle with authentic storytelling, taking the format to a bigger scale.”

    Banijay Asia & Endemolshine India, group COO, Rishi Negi added, “This season is bolder, more unpredictable and packed with emotional depth, redefining adventure entertainment for Indian audiences.”

    Ahead of the premiere, Varun Sood and the contestants rolled up their sleeves for a beach clean-up at Juhu, reinforcing the show’s coastal survival theme, before bringing their energy to NM college fest Umang.

    As Discovery marks 40 years globally and 30 years in India, the show underscores its legacy of bold, pathbreaking storytelling.

    With higher stakes, rawer grit and wilder twists, ‘Reality Ranis of the Jungle – Season 2’ is set to prove that survival is not just about strength, but about spirit. 
     

  • Digital marketing maven climbs the WPP ladder

    Digital marketing maven climbs the WPP ladder

    MUMBAI: WPP Media,  has promoted Meghana HS to group head – digital, capping a meteoric rise through the advertising conglomerate’s ranks. The 27-year-old digital marketing specialist, who joined as manager – digital planning and strategy in January 2023, has spent the past two years and nine months crafting 360-degree media strategies for blue-chip clients across fast-moving consumer goods, wellness and personal care.

    Meghana built her reputation orchestrating full-funnel campaigns that blend traditional digital channels with trendy influencer marketing and over-the-top streaming platforms. Her knack for translating business goals into measurable returns on investment—whilst juggling budgets across upper, middle and lower marketing funnels—caught the eye of WPP’s brass.

    Before joining the Omnicom rival, she honed her skills at GroupM’s Motivator unit, where she progressed from ad operations executive to business executive between January 2020 and December 2022. Her journey began with a six-month traineeship at Digital Academy 360 in Bengaluru, where she mastered search engine optimisation, Google AdWords and social media marketing.

    The appointment reflects WPP’s push to beef up its digital capabilities as advertisers pivot spending toward performance marketing and programmatic buying. Meghana’s expertise spans Meta and Google advertising, Amazon marketing and YouTube campaigns—skills increasingly vital as brands chase measurable outcomes over brand-building vanity metrics.

    Her promotion comes as India’s digital advertising market surges, with programmatic buying and influencer marketing driving growth. WPP Media’s bet on homegrown talent like Meghana signals confidence in the subcontinent’s advertising ecosystem, where local expertise trumps imported knowledge.

  • Spinny drives cricket fever with winners flying to Dubai for Asia Cup

    Spinny drives cricket fever with winners flying to Dubai for Asia Cup

    MUMBAI: Spinny, India’s full-stack used car platform, has announced three lucky winners who will be jetting off to Dubai to watch Team India in action at the Asia Cup 2025.

    The contest, which ran from 9 to 17 September, gave anyone buying a car on Spinny the chance to win the cricketing trip of a lifetime. On 26 September, the winners will pack their bags and head to Dubai to see India take on Sri Lanka, live from the stands.

    The winners are: Snehal Chaitanya Nadakuduru from Bangalore, who drove home a Kia Sonet; Sarah Shailendra Salve from Mumbai, who picked up a Toyota Glanza; and Raghuveer Chandra Sirivore from Hyderabad, who chose a Volkswagen Virtus.

    As an official global sponsor of the Asia Cup, Spinny’s branding will be seen across stadiums on perimeter boards, backdrops and digital screens. More importantly, the brand says it is about “creating real experiences that matter”, both on and off the pitch.

    Spinny’s brand ambassador, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, continues to be at the heart of its storytelling, symbolising trust and inspiration for millions of fans. Customers and followers can also track the winners’ journeys on Spinny’s social channels, from their new car purchases to their cheers in Dubai.

    “Massive congratulations to all the winners,” said Spinny, senior vice president and business head, Hanish Yadav. “This is where the love for cricket meets the joy of owning your car, and we’re proud to have made that possible.”

    With the Asia Cup set to deliver some of the most exciting cricketing contests in the region, Spinny is not just sponsoring the spectacle but also putting fans in the front seat of the action.

  • India cuts FM radio reserve prices to revive stagnant sector

    India cuts FM radio reserve prices to revive stagnant sector

    NEW DELHI: India’s telecom regulator has recommended sharp cuts in reserve prices for FM radio channel auctions, acknowledging the sector’s struggle against streaming services and stagnant revenues that have barely recovered from pre-pandemic levels.

    The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on 23 September  proposed reserve prices 30 per cent below previous valuations for three cities seeking radio licenses. Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh would see its reserve price set at Rs 83 lakh, down from a calculated valuation of Rs 1.18 crore. Rourkela in Odisha faces a reserve floor of Rs 1.20 crore against a Rs 1.71 crore valuation, whilst Rudrapur in Uttarakhand gets a Rs 97 lakh reserve price from a Rs 1.39 crore assessment.

    The cuts reflect harsh realities facing India’s private FM radio industry. Total advertising revenues peaked at Rs 2,382 crore in 2018-19 but crashed to Rs 941 crore during the pandemic’s first year. Recovery has been sluggish, reaching just Rs 1,819 crore in 2024-25—barely matching 2019-20 levels despite more channels operating.

    “The sector is facing increased competition from digital audio platforms,” TRAI noted, warning of “substitutability effects” as younger listeners migrate to on-demand streaming services that offer playlist curation and skip functions unavailable on traditional FM.

    The regulator’s move follows disappointing recent auctions. In July 2025, only 63 of 730 available channels across 234 cities found buyers, highlighting weak industry demand despite government efforts to expand FM coverage.

    TRAI also introduced a new “category E” classification for 18 small cities in hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir, setting their reserve prices at just Rs 3.75 lakh each. These locations would operate with lower transmission power than existing categories, reflecting challenging terrain and smaller populations.

    The recommendations include several industry-friendly measures: allowing FM broadcasters to stream content online simultaneously, permitting news and current affairs programming for up to 10 minutes per hour, and offering instalment payment options similar to telecom spectrum auctions.

    Most significantly, TRAI urged the government to delink annual licence fees from non-refundable entry fees for all operators—not just new entrants. Current rules tie existing broadcasters’ annual costs to auction prices set by later bidders, creating unpredictable expense burdens that “impinge on the business model for FM operators.”

    The authority also recommended allowing voluntary infrastructure sharing and reducing mandatory co-location requirements with state broadcaster Prasar Bharati, whose rental charges some operators claim could be recovered through independent infrastructure within 2.5 years.

    India currently operates 388 private FM radio channels across 113 cities. The sector employs thousands and serves as a crucial local information source, particularly during emergencies. However, its financial sustainability increasingly depends on adapting to digital competition whilst maintaining terrestrial broadcasting’s unique community connection advantages.

  • Navi Mumbai to host Maharashtra’s first-ever ‘Formula night street race’

    Navi Mumbai to host Maharashtra’s first-ever ‘Formula night street race’

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra is set to make motorsport history as Navi Mumbai gears up to host the state’s first-ever ‘Formula night street race’ this December, marking the grand finale of the Indian Racing Festival (IRF). The announcement was made in the presence of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, during the signing of an Mou between Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd. (RPPL) and Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC).

    For the first time, Navi Mumbai’s streets will transform into a world-class FIA-grade racing circuit. Spanning 3.753 km with 14 turns, the track begins at Palm Beach Road, weaving past scenic stretches of Nerul Lake under floodlights, offering both drivers and fans a thrilling night racing experience.

    The weekend promises double the adrenaline with the Indian Racing League (IRL) and FIA-certified Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC). Top Indian and international racers will battle it out, while spectators enjoy motorsport action against the city’s glowing skyline.

    Fadnavis hailed the event as a milestone for Maharashtra’s motorsport journey, highlighting its potential to inspire young talent, boost tourism, and generate jobs. RPPL, chairman & MD, Akhilesh Reddy, emphasised that Mumbai’s debut street race will set a new benchmark for motorsport in India.

    Blending speed, glamour, and entertainment, the festival will feature celebrity team owners including John Abraham, Arjun Kapoor, Sourav Ganguly, Sudeep Kichcha, Naga Chaitanya, and Swetha Sundeep Anand. With previous successful street races in Hyderabad and Chennai, the Navi Mumbai finale cements India’s place on the global motorsport map.

    In December, the roar of engines, the energy of fans, and Navi Mumbai’s skyline will converge for an unforgettable weekend where speed meets spectacle.

     

  • Global television triumphs at Venice TV Awards 2025

    Global television triumphs at Venice TV Awards 2025

    VENICE:  Television’s finest have been crowned at the Venice TV Awards 2025, with productions from 32 countries proving that quality programming knows no boundaries. The ceremony, backed by the Association of Commercial Television and Video on Demand Services in Europe, the International Music + Media Centre, and the European Group of Television Advertising, celebrated another bumper year for the box.

    Britain emerged as a standout performer, claiming four categories including the coveted documentary prize for The Man Who Definitely Didn’t Steal Hollywood from Wonderhood Studios and the BBC. The corporation also triumphed in comedy with Ludwig, starring David Mitchell, whilst securing wins in performing arts and children’s programming.

    Japan flexed its creative muscles with three victories, including the television film award for Driving into the Storm and animation honours for Luka and the Flower of the Sun. The country’s technical prowess shone through in the cinematography category with Deep Ocean: Kingdom of the Coelacanth.

    Canada’s Empathy from Trio Orange took the series crown, whilst South Korea’s Couple Palace dominated light entertainment. France claimed both sport and technology categories, with Canal+’s Giroud and TF1’s innovative 8 May 1945 respectively.

    The awards spanned 18 categories, from traditional documentary and news coverage to cutting-edge cross-platform content and branded entertainment. America’s CBS News won recognition for its Red Sea reporting, whilst NBCUniversal’s Peacock platform scored with its Paris Olympics coverage.

    Smaller television markets also punched above their weight. Finland’s Queen of Fucking Everything earned the direction prize, whilst Germany’s film school production If I could fly claimed the new talent award.

    The ceremony underscored television’s resilience and creativity in an increasingly fragmented media landscape. As streaming platforms continue to reshape viewing habits, traditional broadcasters and digital natives alike demonstrated that compelling storytelling remains the industry’s beating heart.

    With productions ranging from hard-hitting documentaries to frothy entertainment, the winners reflected television’s remarkable breadth and ambition in 2025.

  • Phoenix Marketcity Chennai set to host city’s first-ever ‘Fake Wedding’ gala

    Phoenix Marketcity Chennai set to host city’s first-ever ‘Fake Wedding’ gala

    MUMBAI: Phoenix Marketcity Chennai, the city’s premier lifestyle destination for shopping, dining, and immersive experiences, is set to host ‘Vows & vogue – the wedding gala’ in association with The Sight Media, bringing a never-seen-before ‘fake wedding’ experience to the city inside the lower ground Central Atrium.

    From 26th to 28th September 2025, visitors can step into a three-day extravaganza designed like a real wedding celebration, seamlessly blending fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and entertainment under one roof.

    The festivities begin with Shaadi Ki Shuruaat, featuring brand showcases, pop-up stalls, mehendi and nail grooming stations, vibrant dance performances, and the exciting king & queen auditions: a hunt for The Wedding Gala’s ‘Royal Couple’. The second day, ‘Shaadi Wala Sangeet,’ raises the tempo with dhol beats, energetic performances, flower showers, makeovers, beauty workshops, fashion and jewellery showcases, lifestyle pop-ups, and contests with hampers in a festive ethnic atmosphere. The grand finale, Shaam-e-Shaadi, closes the gala with karaoke nights, couple performances, and a dazzling ceremony that captures the extravagance of a wedding.

    With its unique mix of shopping, entertainment, and shaadi-style celebrations, ‘Vows & vogue – The wedding gala’ promises to be a one-of-a-kind wedding-inspired experience for everyone, from bridal shoppers seeking fresh styles to families and friends looking for joyous festive fun.

     

  • PM hails Sharma’s re-election as NBDA chief with newsworthy praise

    PM hails Sharma’s re-election as NBDA chief with newsworthy praise

    MUMBAI: The news just broke and fittingly, it’s about the man who’s been breaking news for decades. Prime minister Narendra Modi has congratulated India TV chairman and editor-in-chief Rajat Sharma on being re-elected as president of the News Broadcasters and Digital Association (NBDA), calling his leadership “newsworthy” at a time when the media and digital landscape is undergoing seismic shifts.

    In a personal letter, the prime minister lauded Sharma’s decades-long contribution to journalism, describing his credibility and deep subject knowledge as invaluable to the industry. “The Association will benefit from your decades-long experience in journalism, your deep understanding of various subjects, and your credibility. Your guidance will be particularly effective in the media and digital world, undergoing modern transformation,” Modi wrote.

    The prime minister further expressed confidence that under Sharma’s stewardship, the NBDA would raise the standards of journalism to “new heights” while continuing to play a meaningful role in the interests of society and the nation. “Once again, I wish you all the best for this new term and your future endeavours,” he added.

    Sharma’s re-election as president for the 2025–26 term was confirmed at the NBDA’s Board meeting on September 19, 2025. He continues to head India’s largest body of private news broadcasters and digital media players at a time when the lines between legacy and digital journalism are blurring more rapidly than ever.

    Alongside Sharma’s re-election, the new NBDA leadership team was also announced. MV Shreyams Kumar, managing director of Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing, has been appointed vice-president, while Anuradha Prasad Shukla, chairperson & managing director of News24 Broadcast India, has been named Honorary Treasurer.

    The reappointment cements Sharma’s place as one of the most influential figures in Indian news media. Having steered India TV to become one of the country’s most-watched news channels and leading NBDA through earlier terms, Sharma’s presidency comes at a crucial moment as the sector grapples with challenges of regulation, digital disruption, and audience trust.

    For Sharma, who has spent decades building his reputation as one of India’s most recognisable news anchors and media leaders, the latest endorsement from both peers and the Prime Minister underscores not just his personal clout but also the pivotal role NBDA plays in shaping the future of journalism in India.

    And as Modi’s words suggest, the coming year may see Sharma not just reporting the news, but redefining how India consumes it.
     

  • Oriana by GRT launches ‘Milena’ collection with ‘Carved not born’ campaign

    Oriana by GRT launches ‘Milena’ collection with ‘Carved not born’ campaign

    MUMBAI: Oriana by GRT has unveiled the ‘Milena Film’, the artistic centrepiece of its new ‘Carved not born’ campaign, conceptualised and created by Schbang. More than just a campaign asset, the film is a bold statement of artistry and intent, celebrating women who carve their own brilliance while spotlighting the craftsmanship of the ‘Milena’ collection.

    Inspired by the timeless elegance of art deco, the Milena collection translates bold geometry and structured sophistication into a visual narrative where jewellery takes centre stage. The story unfolds through movement, projection, and cinematography, creating an experience that is as much about emotion as it is about design.

    At its heart, the ‘Milena’ film reflects the belief that greatness is not inherited but created. This idea comes alive through the interplay of Kalaripayattu, symbolising discipline and strength, and contemporary dance, representing fluidity and freedom. Together, they form a metaphor for today’s Oriana woman, rooted in tradition yet unafraid of modernity, graceful yet powerful, ambitious yet limitless.

    The film pushes the boundaries of jewellery storytelling by blending choreography with AI-generated projections and CGI artistry, elevating jewellery into a larger-than-life protagonist. An original score, fusing Indian classical influences with modern rhythms, heightens the experience and amplifies the story’s sense of power and grace.

    Beyond the film, the campaign extends into digital formats ranging from iphone-shot reels to CGI showcases of craftsmanship and AI-powered creatives, positioning Oriana not just as a jewellery brand but as a cultural voice of modern self-expression.

    “With the Milena campaign, our ambition was to create more than a jewellery campaign, but an evocative story that honours the artistry of the collection and the spirit of the Oriana woman,” said Schbang, associate vice president, Vrinda Bajaj.

    The ‘Milena’ film sets a new benchmark for jewellery campaigns, combining design inspiration, cutting-edge technology, and emotional resonance to reinforce Oriana’s belief that brilliance is not bestowed. It is carved, one choice, one moment, one masterpiece at a time.