Tag: Neeraj roy

  • Bollywood Hungama sets the stage for OTT Fest 2025

    Bollywood Hungama sets the stage for OTT Fest 2025

    MUMBAI: Lights, camera, streaming! Bollywood Hungama is all set to roll out the third edition of its OTT India Summit & Entertainment Awards 2025, returning on December 3 and 4 to celebrate India’s booming digital entertainment landscape.

    Fresh off the glittering success of the Style Icons Summit & Awards, which saw A-list stars like Akshay Kumar, Aamir Khan, Shahid Kapoor and Malaika Arora lighting up the red carpet, Hungama Digital Media is shifting gears from couture to content. The OTT India Fest will once again bring together creators, disruptors, and dreamers shaping India’s streaming revolution.

    Hungama Digital Entertainment founder and CEO Neeraj Roy said the aim is to keep pushing the boundaries of what Indian entertainment can be. He noted that with more than 100 originals already under its belt, Hungama continues to champion innovation, authenticity, and cultural relevance.

    From thought-provoking panels to glamour-packed celebrations, the two-day summit promises to blend insight with spectacle, reaffirming Hungama’s place as a trailblazer in India’s entertainment ecosystem.

    As co-founder Suleman Mobhani put it, the initiative isn’t just an event but a movement celebrating influence, individuality and innovation. With creators and brands coming together once again under one spotlight, this December, it’s showtime for India’s OTT power players.

  • OrangeGlobal Stories names Pranay Naigaonkar as head of production

    OrangeGlobal Stories names Pranay Naigaonkar as head of production

    MUMBAI: In the ever-evolving world of entertainment, where OTT is the reigning king, a seasoned maestro steps into the spotlight.

    Pranay Naigaonkar, the creative mind behind the acclaimed Hungama Music Bus (2020), has traded the bustling corridors of Neeraj Roy’s Hungama for a new adventure at OrangeGlobal Stories Pvt. Ltd.

    Taking the reins as head of production at this emerging audio OTT platform, Naigaonkar is poised to orchestrate a new symphony of innovative content. His move signals a bold chapter for both the veteran producer and OrangeGlobal Stories, as they aim to redefine the audio storytelling landscape.

    In his new role, Naigaonkar will oversee the development and production of original audio content, aiming to enhance the platform’s offerings and engage a diverse audience. His appointment comes as OrangeGlobal Stories plans to invest $36 million in marketing and digital promotion over the next three years, signalling a significant expansion in the audio entertainment industry.

    Naigaonkar’s career in the entertainment industry has been marked by a commitment to quality and innovation. His work on ‘Hungama Music Bus’ showcased his ability to produce engaging audio content that resonates with listeners. At OrangeGlobal Stories, he is expected to leverage this expertise to develop a diverse range of audio web series and stories, catering to the evolving preferences of a global audience.

    OrangeGlobal Stories, founded in 2024, is dedicated to revolutionising the audio OTT space with immersive storytelling experiences. The platform offers a wide array of audio content, including web series and stories, designed to captivate listeners across various demographics. citeturn0search6

    The company’s substantial investment in marketing and digital promotion underscores its commitment to becoming a leader in the audio entertainment industry. With Naigaonkar at the helm of production, OrangeGlobal Stories is poised to deliver high-quality content that meets the growing demand for on-the-go audio entertainment.

  • Hungama & Eva Live to host IGX edition six in Mumbai

    Hungama & Eva Live to host IGX edition six in Mumbai

    Mumbai: Hungama and Eva Live have announced the return of the Indian Gaming Expo (IGX), an esports and gaming festival, scheduled for 24-25 January 2025 at Nesco Ground, Mumbai.

    The sixth edition will feature esports tournaments, cosplay competitions, meet-and-greet sessions, panel discussions, and game development workshops, appealing to gaming enthusiasts nationwide.

    Hungama’s involvement in IGX 2025 represents a step towards mainstreaming gaming culture in India. The company’s expertise across music, video, entertainment news, and gaming will enhance the event’s offerings, providing entertainment and interactive experiences for attendees.

    Hungama founder & CEO Neeraj Roy said, “We are delighted to bring IGX back to the Indian gaming community. India is currently one of the fastest-growing gaming markets in the world, and Hungama is dedicated to contributing to the growth of this sector together with Eva Live. The sixth edition of IGX will serve as a platform to showcase the talent and creativity of gamers, developers and esports athletes across the country. We look forward to seeing the community come together to celebrate everything gaming has to offer.”

    As India’s leading IP and live event conglomerate, Eva Live boasts a proven track record in creating outstanding festivals, concerts, and event IPs, such as the Windmill Festival, Bollywood Music Project and The Edutainment Show. This will mark Eva Live’s foray into the burgeoning gaming industry. Leveraging this rich experience in curating bespoke festivals, Eva Live will make IGX larger than life by bringing immersive experiences, facilitating high-profile industry collaborations and making it a community-first event by ensuring there’s something for every gamer.

    “Eva Live is committed to creating unparalleled live experiences, and with IGX 2025 we are excited to host India’s largest gaming community under one roof. Through this event, we aim to exceed the expectations of gaming enthusiasts by setting new standards for immersive gaming events,” commented Eva Live founder & MD Deepak Choudhary.

    The esports tournaments at IGX 2025 will feature top mobile, PC, and console titles, along with a cosplay competition where India’s top cosplayers will compete for prizes. Amateur esports players and cosplayers from 400-plus schools and colleges will also participate.

    IGX 2025 will include panel discussions, game development workshops with industry experts, and opportunities for fans to interact with leading gamers and influencers. Attendees can experience AR/VR/MR devices, game engines, games, merchandise, collectibles, retro games, and gaming art installations.

    The event expects over 30,000 attendees, 40-plus hours of live-streamed content, and 250-plus brands. IGX has previously partnered with both endemic and non-endemic brands, cementing its status as India’s top gaming festival.

    IGX 2024 tickets are now live on Zomato: https://zoma.to/live-event/51815

  • Hungama Digital Media unveils new shows at Hungama Originals success party

    Hungama Digital Media unveils new shows at Hungama Originals success party

    Mumbai: Hungama Digital Media, a digital entertainment company, celebrated the success of its streaming service Hungama OTT with an exclusive success party. The event assembled the biggest names from the entertainment world including Daisy Shah, Kanika Mann, Helly Shah, Tina Datta, Nyra Banerjee, Ali Gony, Yukti Kapoor, Krissann Barretto, Rohan Mehra, Karan Sharma, Aabhaas Mehta, Monalisa, Shilpa Tulaskar, Himanshu Malhotra, Shaleen, Rohit Khandelwal, Sanam Johar and Abigail, amongst others. Held in the evening of 25 September, an exciting slate of new web series for the coming weeks were also unveiled at the event.

    Hungama OTT has captivated audiences with its diverse range of original shows, films, and music. The upcoming content lineup promises to continue this trend, offering viewers an engaging mix of genres. The platform will offer something to cater to every taste, from gripping dramas to heartwarming comedies and everything in between. Its latest lineup includes highly anticipated shows such as Red Room, Khadaan, Personal Trainer, Checkmate, Pyramid, Mona Ki Manohar Kahaaniyan and Hasratein 2 and Ratri Ke Yatri 3.

    Talking about the success of Hungama OTT platform and the upcoming web series lineup,  Hungama Digital Media founder & managing director Neeraj Roy said, “Hungama Originals’ success demonstrates the incredible support from our viewers and our team’s dedication. As we celebrate this milestone, we’re excited to announce our upcoming lineup, which promises to push creative boundaries. Our new shows will deliver fresh, diverse narratives resonating with audiences across India and beyond.”

    Hungama OTT for the upcoming releases and much more, as we continue to redefine digital entertainment in India.

  • Hungama Digital Media & Bhamla Foundation launch star-studded Bhoomi Namaskar anthem

    Hungama Digital Media & Bhamla Foundation launch star-studded Bhoomi Namaskar anthem

    Mumbai: Hungama Digital Media and Bhamla Foundation announced the launch of the highly anticipated ‘Bhoomi Namaskar’ anthem at today’s exclusive press conference. The event was graced by a distinguished lineup of guests, including Asif Bhamla- president of the Bhamla Foundation, Neeraj Roy- founder and Hungama Digital Media. Other notable personalities joining in are- R Balki, Shaan, Prasoon Joshi, Bhumi Pednekar, Shankar Mahadevan, Sheykhar Ravjiani, Shiamak Davar and Neeti Mohan.

    The ‘Bhoomi Namaskar’ anthem is a heartfelt initiative to raise awareness about environmental conservation and the critical importance of sustainable living. This inspiring song unites some of the industry’s most talented and respected figures, each contributing their voices and creative energies to champion this noble cause. The song’s lyrics talk about living in harmony with nature, the need to protect the environment, and the benefits of sustainable living. Its music, influenced by different styles, shows that caring for the environment is important to everyone around the world. By bringing together famous people, the ‘Bhoomi Namaskar’ anthem not only shows how important it is to take care of the Earth but also encourages people to make positive changes in their own lives.

    Hungama Digital Media founder & MD Neeraj Roy said, “The Bhoomi Namaskar campaign underscores the critical role of ecosystem restoration in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. It aims to raise awareness and inspire both individual and collective efforts to preserve and restore natural habitats. Partnering with Bhamla Foundation aligns with our commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable living.”

    Speaking about the initiative, Bhamla Foundation president Asif Bhamla said, “The ‘Bhoomi Namaskar’ anthem is a powerful initiative that aligns with our mission to promote environmental sustainability and awareness. Witnessing such remarkable talent come together to inspire action through music is uplifting. We believe this anthem will have a substantial influence on play educating and motivating individuals to contribute positively to our planet’s well-being.  planet. We are happy to associate with Hungama once again.”

    Godrej Industries Group vice president & head of corporate brand & communications  Sujit Patil said, “At Godrej Industries, environmental responsibility isn’t just a slogan; it’s a core value that guides our actions. We implement various green initiatives across our businesses – from promoting sustainable product design to minimizing our carbon footprint across offices and manufacturing locations. Through our partnership with the Bhamla Foundation’s #BhoomiNamaskar campaign, we aim to raise awareness and inspire action towards environmental restoration. This anthem exemplifies the power of creative expression to address this important issue. More than just entertainment, it is a powerful call to action for all of us to rise and become the saviour our planet needs today. We need a generation of conscious citizens who understand the importance of protecting our land. We urge everyone to act towards a greener future – it starts with us.”

  • Hungama’s Heftyverse and Bhamla Foundation launch Ecotainment initiative

    Hungama’s Heftyverse and Bhamla Foundation launch Ecotainment initiative

    Mumbai: Heftyverse, an innovative Metaverse initiative by Hungama Digital Media, joins hands with Bhamla Foundation to introduce Ecotainment, a groundbreaking sustainability initiative within the Heftyverse universe. This collaboration marks a significant step towards merging entertainment with environmental conservation, reinforcing our commitment to creating a greener, more sustainable future.

    The ‘Ecotainment’ initiative is a pioneering project by Hungama within the Heftyverse platform, where users can participate in environmental conservation efforts while enjoying immersive entertainment experiences. The initiative revolves around the concept of “Digital Trees,” wherein real trees are planted for users who purchase tickets for events presented by or partnered with Hungama. Each real-world tree sprouts a digital twin within the Heftyverse, allowing users to adopt, nurture, and interact with their virtual saplings in a vibrant digital ecosystem.

    Expressing his excitement about the pioneering initiative, Hungama Digital Media Founder and MD Neeraj Roy said, “At Hungama, we believe in the power of entertainment to inspire positive change. With Ecotainment, we’re taking this belief to the next level by seamlessly integrating environmental sustainability into our platform. It’s not just about entertaining our users; it’s about empowering them to make a tangible difference in the world. Teaming up with Bhamla Foundation for this pioneering initiative marks a significant milestone for Heftyverse and Hungama Digital Entertainment.”

    Bhamla Foundation founder Asif Bhamla said, “We are delighted to join hands with Hungama’s Heftyverse for the Ecotainment initiative. By combining entertainment with environmental consciousness, we can reach and engage millions of people in the fight against climate change. Together, we can make a real impact and create a healthier planet for future generations.”

    With the launch of Ecotainment, Hungama’s Heftyverse aims to inspire millions of users to become active participants in environmental conservation. For more information about Ecotainment and how to get involved, please visit Heftyverse.

  • Hungama’s Heftyverse teams up with Van Heusen for virtual fashion exploration

    Hungama’s Heftyverse teams up with Van Heusen for virtual fashion exploration

    Mumbai: Heftyverse, an innovative Metaverse initiative by Hungama Digital Media, joins hands with Van Heusen, a fashion powerhouse brand for men and women from Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd to redefine the online shopping experience by leveraging the power of 3D worlds. Through this ground-breaking collaboration, Heftyverse offers users a one-of-its-kind fusion of entertainment and fashion.

    Hungama and Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd are set to kick off this collaboration by introducing Van Heusen to the platform, infusing personal expression and variety in virtual fashion. At the heart of Heftyverse’s offerings is Avatar Customization, which allows users to personalize their avatars with outfits and styles from Van Heusen.

    This unique collaboration will not only help users style their Avatars but will also allow users to share their stylized looks on social media. Users will also be able to buy the Van Heusen styles offered on Hevtyverse in real life on Van Heusen’s brand website, effortlessly transitioning between the virtual world to the physical. This purposeful move aims to drive platform adoption, enhance user engagement, and encourage e-commerce transactions. Beyond spotlighting a renowned brand and integrating diverse styles, this collaboration also marks a significant milestone in Heftyverse’s evolution, redefining virtual fashion and promising users an unparalleled online shopping experience. The platform Heftyverse has been developed in partnership with Ink In Caps.

    Expressing his excitement on the launch, Hungama Digital Media founder and MD Neeraj Roy said, “Teaming up with Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited for this exciting initiative marks a significant milestone for Heftyverse and Hungama Digital Entertainment. This collaborative effort propels us into the immersive world of the Metaverse, where digital fashion and captivating experiences seamlessly merge. Our objective is to redefine the landscape of online shopping by offering users an electrifying fusion of entertainment and fashion within Heftyverse. This launch is a testament to our relentless drive to break barriers and nurture innovation, ensuring our users are always at the forefront of the dynamic digital space.”

    Van Heusen COO Abhay Bahugune said, “We are pleased to collaborate with Hungama’s Heftyverse, a partnership that further strengthens our brand’s commitment to innovation. With this initiative, we aim to elevate the intersection of fashion and digital entertainment, creating a synergy that resonates with the dynamic lifestyles of our discerning new-age consumers.”

    Ink In Caps director Manish Kakkar “We are excited about this innovative venture. Through our partnership, we aim to seamlessly elevate the online shopping experience by integrating immersive technology. This collaboration reflects our commitment to pushing boundaries and delivering cutting-edge solutions to enhance user engagement and satisfaction. We look forward to continuing our successful partnership and delivering exceptional results together.”

    Heftyverse is now available on browsers laptops and mobile devices and is poised to revolutionise the online shopping landscape within the metaverse. Follow the link to know more-

    ttps://world.heftyverse.xyz/login

  • T-Series, Hungama join hands to foray into NFTs

    T-Series, Hungama join hands to foray into NFTs

    Mumbai: Music and film studio T-Series has announced its foray into Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) in association with Hefty Entertainment – a division of digital media entertainment company Hungama. According to a statement, the association brings together the latter’s 90 million+ monthly active users (MAUs) across music, gaming and video to join hands with T-Series’ over 395 million YouTube subscribers base and 75 million followers on social media across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

    “The strategic partnership between the two companies is built on their 20-year-old, long-standing association. T-Series and Hungama will leverage their global distribution network and a library spanning two lakh songs, 65,000 music videos and 150+ films across Indian languages to create the next big digital revolution,” said the statement.

    “We are delighted to extend our two-decade-long alliance with Hungama, and to enable our community with access to the Metaverse,” said T-Series chairman and MD Bhushan Kumar. “Having set the ball rolling, we look forward to expanding and enhancing the value of our content that leads to the rapid expansion of the global digital entertainment industry, and offering a future full of potential, interactivity and collaboration for our communities around the globe.”

    The foray will witness the two entertainment brands raise the bar of entertainment creation and consumption via Hefty Entertainment (a Web 3.0 initiative by Hungama), and in partnership with Ethereum scaling and infrastructure development platform, Polygon. Hefty Metaverse will be built with the vision of fostering an ecosystem that helps to collaborate, interact and engage with flourishing web 3.0 communities.

    Hungama will create NFTs, rare collectibles and ‘money can’t buy experiences,’ in addition to unlocking special moments from T-Series’ catalogue of new and existing content.

    “We look forward to redefining content consumption with this Web 3.0 initiative as we find new ways to collaborate and engage with fans. We promise to give billions of fans of Bollywood, globally, an experience that will see value accrue to them on our platform,” said Hungama founder Neeraj Roy.

    “T-Series has demonstrated its leadership position on the back of innovation and adoption of new technology advancements to drive distribution across the ever-evolving digital landscape,” stated T-Series president Neeraj Kalyan. “T-Series and Hungama’s partnership is built on mutual trust and we will continue to consolidate into more meaningful avenues, akin to our foray in the NFT space.”

  • Hungama Play bets big on regional language content

    Hungama Play bets big on regional language content

    KOLKATA: Hungama Digital Media’s VoD platform Hungama Play has unveiled plans to release more than 20 original shows in six Indian languages over the next 12 months.

    These languages include Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi and Bhojpuri, which together contribute to over 80 per cent of the consumption on the platform. Hungama Play’s first Telugu original show, Game, releases this week. The show will receive a multilingual showcase and will be available in Tamil and Kannada as well.

    In addition to their availability on Hungama Play, all original web series will benefit from Hungama’s wide distribution network. Most shows will be available to stream through Hungama Play on MX Player, Airtel Xstream, Vi Movies and TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Tata Sky Binge, Tata Sky Binge+, DishSMRT Stick, D2H Stream, DishSMRT Hub, Siti Playtop, ISPs like Meghbela Broadband, Alliance Broadband, ACT Fibernet and Netplus, and smart TVs like TCL, OnePlus TV, LG, Sony Bravia, CVTE, Toshiba and CloudWalker. Additionally, Hungama’s association with Xiaomi will enable consumers to watch the shows via Hungama Play on Mi TV.

    Hungama Digital Media founder & CEO Neeraj Roy said, “The multilingual and multi-genre approach that we have followed for building our content library has helped us increase consumption on our platform by over 3X in the last two years, with the six key languages serving as the primary drivers for this growth. We are committed to strengthening our original programming further by delivering local, relevant and entertaining narratives, now across several languages. We are certain that our programming coupled with our distribution network will help us increase our user-base by 2X over the next year.”

    Releasing on 21 April 2021, Game is a crime drama in Telugu (also available in Tamil and Kannada) that weaves in elements of mystery and thrill, and follows six different people, each involved in a murder conspiracy.  Their quest for the truth sets into motion a plan that throws their lives into chaos. The show stars popular actors from the Telugu entertainment industry – Noel Sean, Srikanth Iyyangar, Kona Sasitha, Vinay Varma and Abhinav Manikanta – in key roles. It is produced by Gangapatnam Sridhar and directed by Ganga Sanampudi.

  • Music Inc. 2.0 concludes on high note with 100 speakers and 600 participants

    Music Inc. 2.0 concludes on high note with 100 speakers and 600 participants

    MUMBAI: The second edition of Music Inc. 2.0 witnessed phenomenal success with the coming together of thought leaders, young entrepreneurs and brand representatives to discuss trends shaping the music space.

    Over 600 delegates and over 100 speakers participated in this two day thought fest.

    During his inaugural keynote, Dr. Anurag Batra, Chairman and Editor-in- Chief exchange4media Group & Businessworld Group said, “Music Inc. and Loudest is a platform where we cover musicians and brands. It is where music meets technology, people who give them business and where they meet brands. It is about the business of music. You cannot have the business of music without musicians, without the people who create music.”

    Neeraj Roy, Founder –CEO, of South Asia’s largest digital entertainment service –Hungama, spoke about the changing landscape of the music industry from the prism of the digital world and how it is likely to shape up over the next few years.

    Day one continued with speakers and panelists discussing on varied subjects like Consumer Engagement and Technology in Music, The Big Fat Indian Wedding, OTT Platforms in India, Rise in Creative Entrepreneurship, The Developing Technology, Applications and Smartphone Usage, Genres of Music and Intersections of Music and Sports, Music In Advertising And Many more. It had some of the finest names come together to share their thoughts on the technological and digital advancement experienced and its impact on the artists and the industry.

    The second day of the conference brought together some interesting viewpoints on topics such as Understanding the Global Music Landscape, Tourism & Music, Creating Global Impact with Music, Mapping India’s Pop Culture, Bringing Music Alive Through Social Video Experiences, Music In Advertising –  Sync, Licensing, Endorsements And Sonic Branding. The panel saw some of the outstanding music Artists, Entrepreneurs discussing music holistically.

    Speaking at the event Grammy Award winning artist Ricky Kej said, “Music is the only way I connect to the world and being an impact in their lives. One can try to change the world but it’s important is to create impact one needs to be creative with their work.”

    In a fireside chat Jackky Bhagnani, Artist, Film Producer and Founder, JJust Music spoke about his startup record label and making music for the millennials.

    Mandar Thakur COO, Times Music spoke about emergence of independent music and technology, “The West is an artist-driven economy – whereas in India the music industry had pretty much started off as traders and that is precisely why the Indian industry is lagging behind. But with the emergence of independent music and technology, we have seen a change. I believe in the coming years we won’t look very different from the western world,” he said.

    Music Inc. with the success of its second edition has created a mark in the music conference space bringing together some of the finest talent from across the country on one stage.