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Tag: Lal Chand Bisu

  • Kuku FM and Penguin India launch 15 exclusive Hindi audiobooks

    Kuku FM and Penguin India launch 15 exclusive Hindi audiobooks

    MUMBAI: Kuku FM has joined hands with publishing giant Penguin Random House India (PRHI) to launch 15 exclusive Hindi audiobooks adapted from Penguin’s bestselling titles.

    This partnership not only expands both brands’ storytelling universe but also caters to India’s booming demand for regional audio content. With digital audio consumption skyrocketing, the collaboration brings a treasure trove of literary works to life in a more immersive and accessible format.

    The curated collection includes works by some of India’s most celebrated voices Gaur Gopal Das, Devdutt Pattanaik, Harish Bhat, Indra Nooyi, Raghuram Rajan, Ankur Warikoo, and Neena Gupta, among others. These audiobooks, produced and adapted by Kuku FM, promise high-quality narration, cultural resonance, and a deeply engaging listener experience.

    “Our customers have higher expectations from us every day, and at Kuku FM, we love rising to that challenge. They know what they want and need plenty of choices. We aim to bring the best books to them in their language and give them a unique yet engaging listening experience,” said Kuku FM CEO & co-founder  Lal Chand Bisu.

    “We are excited to partner with an iconic publisher like Penguin to not only expand our library but also ensure that we’re opening up a whole new world of entertainment and knowledge for every Indian in more accessible formats.”

    Titles will be available on the Kuku FM Android app from April 2025, priced from Rs 175 making bestselling reads more affordable than ever in audio format.

    PRH India vice president  & product Vijesh Kumar added, “At Penguin, we are committed to making books more accessible and inclusive, ensuring they reach readers in the formats they love. Our exclusive partnership with Kuku FM marks an exciting milestone as we bring some of our most celebrated titles to Hindi audiobooks for the first time. With storytelling evolving beyond the page, audiobooks offer a dynamic and immersive way to experience books welcoming both avid readers and new audiences alike.”

    The collaboration aligns perfectly with the projected growth of India’s OTT audio market expected to hit $1.8 billion by 2025 with over 100 million users.

    “The collaboration is a critical extension of Kuku FM’s highly curated portfolio of stories and we are excited to expand this universe further with PRH India who are known to have some of the most storied authors and books in their library,” said Kuku FM head of content acquisition Prerna Vohra.

    PRH India manager & audio Vidhi Nangia added, “Audiobooks are seeing tremendous growth globally, and India is no exception, with the market expected to grow over 30 per cent annually. Recognising this shift in how audiences engage with literature, Penguin is thrilled to partner with Kuku FM to introduce 15 Hindi audiobooks by beloved authors such as Bhat, Warikoo, and Nooyi. Kuku FM’s commitment to exceptional curation and production ensures that our cherished works are presented with the utmost quality. This collaboration marks the beginning of a promising journey to make our stories accessible to an even broader audience.”

    The exclusive collection of Hindi audiobooks includes Tata Stories by Bhat, Bravehearts of Bharat by Vikram Sampath, and My Life in Full by Nooyi. Listeners can also enjoy Jeevan ke Adbhut Rahasya and Energise Your Mind by Das, along with India’s Most Fearless 1 and India’s Most Fearless 2 by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh. The line-up features Mythakon se Vigyan Tak by Gauhar Raza, Jaya and The Book of Ram by Pattanaik, and Breaking the Mould by Rajan and Rohit Lamba. Also included are Make Epic Money and Build an Epic Career by Warikoo, Sach Kahun Toh by Gupta, and Manoj Bajpayee by Piyush Pandey.

  • Kuku FM partners with HubHopper; adds 21,000 new shows to its library

    Kuku FM partners with HubHopper; adds 21,000 new shows to its library

    MUMBAI: If you are an audiophile and you prefer listening to podcasts and shows rather than holidaying and partying, then come 1 January 2025, you should grab  your headset and your phone and lean back and sign into KukuFM.

    The audio hosting and distribution platform has partnered with another audio platform HubHopper and is offering its three million subscribers the latter’s 21,000 new shows across 30,000 plus hours of premium content at no extra cost (in a dedicated section featuring the new shows).

    A press release issued by Kuku FM  mentions that this integration means its library rivals even leading OTTs operating in India and is the largest audio catalogue  in the country.

    Listeners can chose from spirituality (Sadhguru, Osho and Jay Alani) to fiction to history  to business in various languages including English, Arabic, Hindi, Tamil Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. Shows from NDTV are also available on the platform.

    Kuku FM co-founder Lal Chand Bisu pointed out that Indians prefer getting unmatched value for the money they are spending.  He added: “As our revenues doubled last year, driven by subscriptions, we’re poised to continue this momentum into 2025 with this enriched offering. By adding the shows, we’re not just growing our library but building a platform that resonates with diverse audiences—from native speakers across India to Indians abroad seeking high-quality content in their languages. This collaboration elevates our reach and engagement to new heights.”
     

  • Kuku FM ropes in Dulquer Salman for ad campaign to appeal to southern audiences

    Kuku FM ropes in Dulquer Salman for ad campaign to appeal to southern audiences

    MUMBAI: Kuku FM has got the south of India on its radar. The company has enlisted south Indian star Dulquer Salmaan to star in a new campaign  which is aiming to captivate listeners across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in a bid to bring regional stories and audiobooks closer to the hearts of millions. 

    The TVC has been made in Tamil and Malayalam, with dubbed versions in Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi, to connect with India’s linguistic diversity. The campaign, titled Redefining the Art of Storytelling, will roll out in two phases, starting with social media and later expanding to television, OTT platforms, and offline channels.

    With content in eight languages across multiple genres, Kuku FM aims to make storytelling accessible and relevant to listeners across regions.

    Dulquer, a household name known for his versatility and appeal prominently among southern audiences, embodies Kuku FM’s values of authenticity, innovation, and customer-centricity. His deep connection to storytelling, nurtured from childhood, shines through the new TVC, where he recalls the comforting tales narrated to him by his grandmother. 

    To view the TVC click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUNzrecT3PU&authuser=0

    “With Kuku FM, I’m excited to revisit the roots of storytelling and invite listeners to embark on a journey of self-discovery and inspiration with their vast genres and collections with Kuku FM,” Dulquer shared.

    “Storytelling is an art that transcends time, culture and language barriers,” said Kuku FM co-founder & CEO Lal Chand Bisu. “With Dulquer, we’re thrilled to explore new horizons in southern India, a region that’s rich in languages, history and stories. Our mission is to empower our listeners across Bharat with stories that entertain, educate, and inspire. By partnering with an icon like Dulquer who is a versatile actor and truly understands the craft of storytelling, we’re not only celebrating the past but also reinventing how stories are shared in the digital age. Dulquer is a prominent actor who is well-regarded among younger audiences and families, positioning him as a relatable figure for listeners across diverse age groups. Furthermore, his influence extends beyond the realm of cinema into the digital space, thereby aligning perfectly with our vision at Kuku FM.”

    “Our storytelling OTT platform has experienced exceptional growth in our southern user base, with over one million monthly active subscribers from these regions, now accounting for 35 per cent of overall platform engagement,” shared  Kuku FM VP of revenue growth Sachin Singh. The demand for southern language content has also seen a dramatic rise, with a five times increase in monthly new subscriber additions over the past year.

    Dulquer stated, “Kuku FM is doing something truly innovative by reinventing storytelling in a way that blends tradition with modernity. As someone who finds stories to be central to my craft and passion, I’m thrilled to be part of a journey that celebrates the soul of south India’s storytelling legacy while making it accessible for today’s generation.”

    Are the south Indian folks listening?

  • Kuku FM launches Hindi audio series ‘Chacha Chaudhary: Returns’

    Kuku FM launches Hindi audio series ‘Chacha Chaudhary: Returns’

    Mumbai: Kuku FM, India’s audio entertainment platform has announced the launch of an exclusive new audio series, ‘Chacha Chaudhary: Returns,’ based on the beloved Indian comic book character in partnership with Pran’s Features LLP. This strategic collaboration brings to life 10 episodes, each weaving unique adventures that blend nostalgia with contemporary storytelling.

    Chacha Chaudhary, a wise old man from a quaint Indian village, defies the traditional ‘hero’ archetype with his sharp intellect and resourcefulness. His adventures underscore the timeless lesson of ‘brains over brawn’—an idea that remains profoundly relevant even today. This series is Kuku FM’s humble effort to celebrate Chacha’s legacy and the unique position he holds in Indian pop culture.

    Kuku FM VP of content Kunj Sanghvi said, “Another childhood favourite now comes alive in the audio format as our latest release! The imagination behind Chacha Chaudhary’s world lies in its ability to create a uniquely Indian universe that combines the mundane with the fantastic, the traditional with the modern, and the local with the global. This rich, multifaceted imaginary world has allowed generations to explore, dream, and learn – proving that intelligence and wit are timeless heroes in their own right.”

    For many, Chacha Chaudhary is more than just a character; he is a symbol of wit, intelligence, and the everyday heroism that resonated with readers across generations. This audio series aims to reintroduce the charm and wit of Chacha Chaudhary to both old fans and new listeners, capturing the essence of Pran’s timeless work. Each episode is infused with modern supernatural and mysterious elements, offering a fresh and immersive experience that aligns perfectly with trending content themes of our times.

    “My heartiest congratulations to the Kuku FM team for producing a great show based on one of our most popular IPs, Chacha Chaudhary,” said Pran’s Features LLP director Nikhil Pran. “The stories are packed with excitement and full of adventure, where Chacha Chaudhary uses his intelligence to solve problems when people are in trouble. I am sure everyone will enjoy listening to this thriller story based in supernatural settings. Looking forward to having more such series.”

    This one-of-a-kind collaboration is another feather in the cap of Kuku FM’s rapidly expanding footprint in the audio entertainment space following landmark content partnerships with the likes of Storytel, Jeffrey Archer, Rupa Publications, Harper Collins and more. This move strengthens Kuku FM’s multilingual and multi-genre content offerings, providing listeners access to global entertainers and further cementing its position as a leader in India’s booming audio market.

    “This partnership with Pran’s Features is a testament to our ongoing commitment to diversify and enrich our content library,” said Kuku FM co-founder and CEO Lal Chand Bisu. “India is all set to be a global content powerhouse, and it’s time for Indian stories to get the recognition they deserve.”

    ‘Chacha Chaudhary: Returns’ is now streaming on the Kuku FM app, and users can enjoy the first few episodes of this VIP audio series absolutely free.

  • Kuku FM acquires audiobook rights for iconic works of Jeffrey Archer

    Kuku FM acquires audiobook rights for iconic works of Jeffrey Archer

    Mumbai: Indian audio entertainment platform – Kuku FM has acquired the exclusive rights to adapt several of Jeffrey Archer’s acclaimed works into Hindi audiobooks. 

    The securing of the exclusive rights also includes the iconic William Warwick series and other global bestsellers including “The Fourth Estate,” “As the Crow Flies,” and “A Matter of Honour”. This strategy aims to bridge the gap between global literature and Hindi-speaking audiences across India and South Asia, making these literary masterpieces accessible.

    Jeffrey Archer, whose narratives often draw inspiration from Indian concepts and characters, has long held a special place in the hearts of avid readers. His works always resonate deeply with a varied readership in India, ranging from young adults and middle-aged professionals to literature enthusiasts and those who have an interest in historical narratives. Archer’s books consistently top bestseller lists globally, as readers get drawn to his masterful storytelling and universal themes of ambition, power, and human fulfillment.

    “We are thrilled to bring Jeffrey Archer’s works to our platform. His narratives, known for their out-of-nowhere plot twists, and compelling characters, are ideally suited for our listeners’ growing entertainment needs, as they clock in almost 100 mins a day, and still ask for more,” said Kuku FM CEO and co-founder Lal Chand Bisu. “This partnership allows us to cater to our diverse audience base and introduce these globally acclaimed stories in an immersive Hindi audio format for the first time. We want to re-introduce an entire generation to the Archer magic.”

    The audio format is particularly well-suited to Archer’s writing style, known for nail-biting cliffhangers and dialogue-rich prose. This adaptation promises to bring his complex characters to life in an immersive auditory experience, set in the Hindi language to deepen the listener’s emotional bond with the story.

    “I am delighted that my books will now be available as Hindi audiobooks via Kuku FM. I very much hope that those who have never listened to my stories will enjoy them, along with the many who are already fans of my work,” said Lord Archer.

    This project aligns with Kuku FM’s continuous efforts to bring diverse, world-class entertainment choices to a wide set of audiences, and further solidifies its dedication to ensure there is a library for everyone on the platform.

    The release schedule for the Hindi audiobook series will be announced in the coming weeks.