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Tag: Big FM

  • BIG FM brings Ramayana to life with AI twist

    BIG FM brings Ramayana to life with AI twist

    MUMBAI: What happens when age-old wisdom meets artificial intelligence? You get a Ramayana retelling fit for the reel world. BIG FM, one of India’s leading radio networks, has launched ‘BIG Ramayana’, an AI-powered audio-video series that brings the timeless legend of Lord Ram to today’s screens and streams. Narrated by acclaimed actor Saurabh Raaj Jain, the series transforms the classic epic into bite-sized, visually rich reels, a perfect blend of mythology and modernity.

    The first episode premiered on 20 October 2025, alongside the launch of the BIG Ramayana Anthem, a soulful ode to dharma, devotion, and destiny. Designed for digital-first audiences, the project combines AI-enhanced reels, audio dramas, podcasts, celebrity capsules, RJ specials, and trivia segments, giving the Ramayana a dynamic, cross-platform presence.

    “At BIG FM, storytelling is in our DNA,” said BIG FM CEO Sunil Kumaran. “BIG Ramayana represents our belief that when tradition meets innovation, it creates something powerful and lasting. It’s about connecting today’s youth to stories that have defined generations.”

    Echoing the sentiment, chief marketing & product officer Atul Razdan added, “We wanted to make mythology matter again for Gen Z. With AI and creative storytelling, BIG Ramayana lets audiences rediscover these timeless tales in formats they truly relate to.”

    Listeners can catch AI-enhanced episodes on BIG FM’s social media platforms and tune in to radio broadcasts Monday to Friday at 8 am and 9 pm. The show also streams on Spotify, JioSaavn, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Prime Music, and Gaana, proving that even an ancient epic can find its rhythm in a new digital dhun.

     

  • Atrangii hires veteran producer to spearhead content blitz

    Atrangii hires veteran producer to spearhead content blitz

    MUMBAI: Atrangii and Hari Om OTT have recruited  Vidyuth Bhandary as executive vice-president for content and studios, as the streaming platforms gear up for an aggressive expansion push.

    The appointment brings nearly three decades of media muscle to the homegrown platforms. Bhandary previously ran studios at Dice Media, where he masterminded OTT content development and production. His cv spans heavyweight roles at Times Internet/MX Media, FremantleMedia, Star India and Big FM, with credits including top-rated international format shows and blockbuster Indian streaming content.

    In his new perch, Bhandary will commandeer content teams across both platforms whilst heading up their newly-minted studio division. His brief includes turbo-charging Atrangii’s fiction and non-fiction pipeline and crafting devotional stories for Hari Om. The studio arm will churn out original intellectual property for third-party OTT services, television and films.

    “We’re in a phase of aggressive growth, expanding our footprint and cementing our leadership,” said Vibhu Agarwal, founder of both platforms. “Vidyuth’s appointment is a key step—his experience will help strengthen our in-house content engine and accelerate our plans to build a world-class studio ecosystem.”
    The hire signals Atrangii’s intent to muscle in on India’s crowded streaming battleground. Bhandary pledged to forge fresh content partnerships whilst building “a multi-year roadmap” for both domestic and international markets.

    “My goal is to help build a strong in-house content slate, while also developing a full-fledged studio setup,” he said. “I look forward to expanding into new markets, genres and achieving the vision set by the management.”
    The move underscores how Indian streaming services are doubling down on original content to differentiate themselves in an increasingly saturated market.

  • Big FM tunes into the power of sun with record-breaking solar campaign

    Big FM tunes into the power of sun with record-breaking solar campaign

    MUMBAI: When the sun comes up, Big FM doesn’t just play music, it powers it. The radio giant, in partnership with the Adani Group, rolled out its ambitious ‘Story of Suraj’ campaign, turning solar energy into a cultural talking point across India. The 360-degree initiative spanned 39 cities, blending radio, digital, and on-ground activations. Its opening act? A nationwide content roadblock introducing every listener to Suraj Bhaiya’s story. With 80 RJs creating over 250 content pieces, the campaign reached an impressive 2.91 crore listeners on-air. Online, it struck another chord, clocking 21 million plus digital impressions across Big Live and RJ social handles.

    But the real showstopper came when Big FM set a world record with the first-ever dual-city solar-powered live broadcast, running studios in Delhi and Pune entirely on solar energy no grid, no diesel. The feat earned spots in both the Asia Book of Records and the India Book of Records, putting sustainability firmly in the spotlight.

    The campaign didn’t stop at the airwaves. Listeners tuned into stories of solar-powered villages, practical tips, and pledge walls across Delhi, Pune, Modhera, Indore and Lucknow, while the Solar Rooftop Studio Shift showcased the lives of real solar beneficiaries. The crescendo came from Modhera Gram Panchayat, India’s first fully solar-powered village, where Big FM went live to give audiences a glimpse of a cleaner, greener future.

    As Big FM’s CEO Sunil Kumaran summed up: “When purpose meets innovation, the impact can extend far beyond the airwaves.” And with ‘Story of Suraj’, the network proved that sustainability can be as powerful as any song on the charts.

  • Big Fm turns up the volume with 9 new stations, now India’s No.1 network

    Big Fm turns up the volume with 9 new stations, now India’s No.1 network

    MUMBAI: Radio just got a little louder and a lot bigger. Big Fm, which has long been a household name for music and entertainment, has officially tuned itself into the country’s largest single-brand radio network with a whopping 67 stations. The milestone comes with the addition of nine new stations across Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, set to go live in the next 6–9 months.

    This expansion amplifies BIG’s dominance in the Hindi heartland, taking its tally to 34 stations across Northern and Central India, where it already enjoys market leadership and hyperlocal clout.

    Sapphire Media Limited chairman Sahil Mangla said the achievement is both a win and a weight: “Becoming India’s largest radio network is an achievement, but also a responsibility. With Big Live and Big Ooh already launched, we’re looking forward to shaping the future of audio entertainment with original content, tech and AI integration.”

    Echoing the sentiment, CEO Sunil Kumaran noted that Big’s philosophy of “Dhun Badal Ke Toh Dekho” continues to guide its growth. “With new stations, we’re not just expanding coverage but also building stronger teams, creating content that clicks with diverse communities, and opening fresh opportunities for advertisers,” he said.

    With radio listenership still strong across India’s metros and smaller towns, Big Fm’s expansion ensures it doesn’t just play the hits, it stays in tune with the cultural pulse of the nation.

  • Big FM names Sunil Kumaran chief executive post-Abe Thomas departure

    Big FM names Sunil Kumaran chief executive post-Abe Thomas departure

    MUMBAI: Big FM has handed the reins to Sunil Kumaran, elevating the long-time chief operating officer to chief executive after the exit of Abe Thomas, who has helmed the station since 2018. Kumaran, a 14-year veteran of the network and with over 25 years in media and communications, has been tasked with driving the Sapphire Media-owned broadcaster’s next phase of growth.

    Chairman Sahil Mangla hailed Thomas’s “visionary leadership” and called Kumaran the “ideal choice” to steer the brand forward. Kumaran said his mission was to reimagine radio as a “true multimedia force,” blending content, data and tech-led storytelling to create a “future-ready” brand that connects with audiences, shapes culture and delivers for partners.

    The appointment underscores Big FM’s ambition to stay ahead in India’s fast-evolving audio entertainment market.

  • Sehgal outlines Prasar Bharati’s future at IAA industry meet in Mumbai

    Sehgal outlines Prasar Bharati’s future at IAA industry meet in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: From Agra expressways to All India Radio, Navneet Sehgal’s media journey has had one goal, reaching Bharat, better. At the latest edition of IAA Conversations, hosted by the India Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) in partnership with The Free Press Journal, the spotlight fell on Prasar Bharati, chairman Navneet Kumar Sehgal in an engaging tête-à-tête with Groupm COO for South Asia Ashwin Padmanabhan.

    Held at Mumbai’s Taj Lands End, the session welcomed a full house of brand custodians, agency leaders, and media professionals, reflecting the industry’s growing interest in public service media’s evolution.

    IAA India chapter president Abhishek Karnani kicked off the evening by reaffirming the IAA’s 2025 focus “Conversations, Skilling, and Artificial Intelligence” as tools to futureproof the communication ecosystem.

    Described as a legacy administrator with a media mission, Sehgal spoke candidly about navigating the dual identity of Prasar Bharati, a half-government, half-autonomous behemoth with unmatched rural reach and new-age ambitions.

    “With over 1000 transmitters, 36 plus TV channels, and 58 radio stations, our footprint is vast. But our challenge now is agility and relevance,” Sehgal said.

    Some of the initiatives he outlined include, Building a robust OTT platform that unifies live TV, radio, e-commerce, and digital-first content. Launching direct-to-mobile TV broadcasting that bypasses internet requirements. Investing in creator and youth ecosystems through initiatives like Waves, a content summit kickstarted by the prime minister.

    Ashwin Padmanabhan noted that under Sehgal’s leadership, Prasar Bharati had become remarkably collaborative, inviting participation from advertisers, influencers, and platforms alike.

    “This is not a closed-door legacy broadcaster anymore,” he said. “It’s a space where creators can experiment, and brands can build authentic Tier 2 and Tier 3 engagement.”

    Sehgal recounted a memorable storytelling project with Big FM and Nilesh Mishra that used emotion, not explanation, to communicate government schemes. “A good ad commercial or social moves people to act. That’s the power of public storytelling,” he said.

    He emphasised that while public service media often carries the weight of bureaucracy, its evolution must be people-first. “We are not just public. We are people-first. And to stay people-first, we must constantly innovate.”

    The evening closed on a high note, with warm appreciation from the audience, which included advertising veterans, brand marketers, and digital leaders. Special thanks were extended to the IAA team, including Rahul and Heta, for curating a conversation that was more than just a fireside chat, it was a call to reimagine public media for a new India.

    As Sehgal quipped with a smile, “Legacy is not a burden, it’s the launchpad.”

  • Butt out and breathe easy as Big FM helps smokers take a big step

    Butt out and breathe easy as Big FM helps smokers take a big step

    MUMBAI: Smoking out the habit, one laugh, dance, and Zumba session at a time Big FM’s third season of Sutta Chhod De Na Yaar wrapped up with a breath of fresh air. With a mission as clear as its lungs aim to be, the award-winning anti-tobacco campaign returned this year with a therapeutic twist Quitsvilla, a wellness retreat designed to help smokers kick the butt, quite literally. Hosted at The Fern Shelter Resort in Palghar, and powered by Dewon Electric, the three-day immersive was part support group, part spa day, and all heart.

    Led by popular RJs like RJ Vrajesh, RJ Rani, RJ Abhilash, and RJ Dilip, the retreat was no boring rehab. It featured sound therapy by Sarita Pataodia, dance movement therapy by Ang Tarang’s Shruti duo, laughter yoga by the ever-joyful Kishore Kuvavala, motivational illusions by Mangesh Desai, and a whole lot of rhythm, sweat and soul. The Zumba sessions by celebrity coach Aishwarya were as energetic as the stories shared, and the message was crystal clear: quitting smoking doesn’t have to be a lonely grind, it can be joyful and healing too.

    The retreat was just the tip of the iceberg. The campaign extended into the digital realm with a gripping podcast hosted by RJ Sahil and RJ Dilip. The series featured first-person journeys of those who had successfully stubbed out their addictions, as well as expert insights on CBT, NLP, and habit formation from voices like Ashdin Doctor (The Habit Coach) and Rajyogi BK Nikunj.

    Bollywood lent its lungs too, with stars like Tusshar Kapoor, Emraan Hashmi, Shankar Mahadevan, Sulaiman Merchant, and Papon urging fans to quit through messages across platforms. The campaign’s viral jingle, quirky reels, and heartfelt storytelling ensured that the message didn’t just travel, it stuck.

    And it wasn’t all talk either. The campaign logged hundreds of pledges, saw a visible shift in participant behaviour, and strengthened BIG FM’s mission of sparking real change through real stories.

    “This isn’t just about saying no to a cigarette,” said Big FM COO, Sunil Kumaran. “It’s about saying yes to life, to resilience, and to transformation. Sutta Chhod De Na Yaar Season 3 gave people the tools and the belief to make that change.”

    With a soulful mix of science, storytelling and support, BIG FM’s campaign has evolved from a public service message into a full-blown movement, one breath at a time.

  • Kolkata gets a Big pat on the back at this year’s Impact Awards

    Kolkata gets a Big pat on the back at this year’s Impact Awards

     MUMBAI: It was a night of spotlights, salutes and standing ovations as Big FM rolled out the red carpet for Kolkata’s most impactful players one trophy at a time. The third edition of the BIG Impact Awards Kolkata, hosted by Big FM, lit up the Vivanta hotel with stories of disruption, innovation and deep-rooted social impact. From real estate visionaries and restaurateurs to neurosurgeons and literary pioneers, 23 exceptional awardees were honoured for redefining excellence in their respective fields.

    In keeping with the event’s tagline VG T Recognising Unconventional Excellence, the awards tipped their hats to businesses that are bold enough to break the mould and brave enough to build something bigger. Presenting the awards were top dignitaries including Debashis Kumar (MLA & Mayor-in-Council) and Partha Bhowmik (MP). Acclaimed actor Abir Chatterjee added to the evening’s sparkle as the special guest.

    The event wasn’t short on star power either. Guests included Sudipa Chatterjee, Churni Ganguly, Rooqma Roy, Shruti Das, Souraseni Maitra, Basabdatta Kar, chef Rongon Neogi, and composer Indradeep Dasgupta, turning the evening into a full-blown celebration of Kolkata’s cultural and entrepreneurial fabric.

    The list of winners offered a crash course in Kolkata’s rich and varied brilliance from the best biryani and pizza joints to top-notch hospitals and publishing houses. Narayan Banerjee was crowned Healthcare Influencer of the Year, while Nadia Cassam rose to confectionery fame. JIS University and Atri Group bagged honours in education and real estate respectively, and Soham Chakraborty & team took home the award for Best Hair Replacement Centre.

    Two special mentions went to Arindam Mukherjee, who clinched awards in both industrial automation and carbon emission reductio proof that innovation often wears multiple hats.

    Speaking on the occasion Big FM COO Sunil Kumaran said, “These awards aren’t just a celebration of business success, they’re about resilience, ingenuity and heart. At BIG FM, we believe honouring today’s innovators inspires tomorrow’s trailblazers.”

    Supporting partners for the event included LTK Industries (Fashion Partner), Tata Curvv, Saini MG Motor Kolkata, Krishna Chandra Dutta (cookme) Pvt Ltd., Suzuki (Ride Partner) and Glengrant (Celebration Partner).

    With this year’s resounding success, Big Impact Awards Kolkata continues to prove that when it comes to business with heart, Kolkata means kaarigar, creator and changemaker in equal measure.

  • Big FM’s Marathi masala moment celebrates cinema with star-studded flair

    Big FM’s Marathi masala moment celebrates cinema with star-studded flair

    MUMBAI: Big FM turned up the volume on Marathi pride with a glitzy finale to Big Marathi Bioscope with Subodh Bhave, marking the end of its third season with an unforgettable on-ground celebration in Pune. From teary tributes to toe-tapping tunes, the evening paid a vibrant homage to the spirit, legacy and cultural depth of Marathi cinema.

    Hosted by the ever-charismatic Subodh Bhave, the event brought together some of the industry’s finest including Swapnil Joshi, Sayali Sanjeev, Sumeet Raghavan, Santosh Juvekar, Shilpa Tulaskar, and Atharva Sudame offering fans a front-row seat to laughter, nostalgia and heartfelt camaraderie.

    The grand finale wasn’t just a curtain call, it was a curtain rise on memories. Audiences were treated to emotional homages to legends like Sudhir Phadke and Asha Bhosale, followed by an explosive Ajay–Atul mashup that turned the gathering into a dance floor.

    Sharing his thoughts Big FM COO Sunil Kumaran said, “Our audiences have always trusted us to present exceptional content and BIG Marathi Bioscope with Subodh Bhave has been a true testament of that endeavor. With each season, BIG FM has built a deeper bond with listeners who have an unwavering love for Marathi cinema. As we reach the grand finale of Season 3, it’s clear that the show has become a cherished part of listeners’ lives, celebrating the rich legacy of Marathi films. Looking ahead, we’re excited to continue strengthening this relationship and creating even more memorable experiences in the seasons to come.”

    “Marathi cinema is my passion and what keeps me deeply connected to it is the love and support of my audience. Through the on-ground event, we have had the chance to interact directly with our listeners, making the experience even more personal and meaningful. With the success of this season, I’m confident that the affection and connection we’ve built will continue to grow in the seasons ahead.” said actor and host Subodh Bhave.

    Presented by Lokmanya Multipurpose Co-op Society Ltd and supported by partners like Deshpande Eye Hospital & Laser Centre and B.U. Bhandari, the show’s third season finale was more than just entertainment, it was a tribute, a party, and a promise rolled into one.

    With the finale set to air on Saam TV, fans across Maharashtra can relive the magic. As Big FM continues to echo through the airwaves, it’s clear Marathi cinema’s most soulful stories aren’t just on screen, they’re in the hearts of the listeners too.

  • Big FM launches TheSocialStar podcast showcasing influencer journeys

    Big FM launches TheSocialStar podcast showcasing influencer journeys

    MUMBAI: Big FM has introduced an exclusive podcast series, TheSocialStar, offering an inside look at the rise of India’s most influential digital creators. Hosted by RJ Megha, the talk show uncovers the strategies, challenges, and defining moments that shaped their success.

    The first season features an impressive lineup, including Sonal Kaushal, Simran Balar Jain, Prince Gupta, Aditi Agrawal, Shivani Kapila, Sonika Khurana Sethi, and CA Twinkle Jain. Each episode takes listeners on an unfiltered journey through their early struggles, breakthrough moments, and strategies for building engaged communities and monetising their influence.

    Blending radio with digital storytelling, TheSocialStar aims to inspire aspiring creators, brands, and marketers by providing valuable insights into the creator economy.

    “As the creator economy continues to thrive, digital influencers have become powerful storytellers, shaping new trends and conversations. At Big FM, we have always championed innovation and adaptability and TheSocialStar is an extension of that vision. By bringing these incredible creators to our platform, we aim to celebrate their journeys while offering valuable insights for aspiring content creators and brands looking to navigate the digital space,” said Big FM COO Sunil Kumaran.

    Strengthening its digital focus, Big FM seeks to connect with younger audiences through TheSocialStar. The podcast is now streaming on Big FM’s Youtube channel and major audio platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Gaana, Jiosaavn, Wynk, Hungama, Google Podcasts, Saregama, and Amazon Prime Music.