MUMBAI: Bollywood actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood has put the spotlight on Explurger, a homegrown social media platform for travellers, echoing prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for Indian innovation to go global.
Modi ji asked, and we delivered! ???
Explurger, a ‘Made In India’ social media app for travelers with more than 17M+ users worldwide. Growing from desi roots to global routes, we’ve brought the PM’s vision to life across 75+ countries, taking India to the world. Come, join it… pic.twitter.com/4EmoxCDlip
Launched three years ago by Jitin Bhatia and Sonu Sood, Explurger has rapidly grown to over 17 million users worldwide. The travel-focused app combines AI-powered travelogues, real-time journey tracking, and community sharing, all under the mantra ‘Get Out – Get Social.’ Rather than endless scrolling, the platform encourages users to explore new destinations, check in with Explurge-ins, complete bucket lists, and earn gamified rewards.
“The Prime Minister’s call for innovation within India’s digital ecosystem highlights the country’s confidence in building its own technology frameworks,” said founder and CEO Jitin Bhatia. “Explurger embodies that mindset entirely developed in India, powered by Indian talent, and designed to resonate globally. We want to show that Indian tech can innovate and inspire on the world stage.”
PM Modi has repeatedly emphasised the importance of homegrown solutions. In a recent speech, he urged Indians to buy and sell Swadeshi goods and nurture platforms that meet domestic needs while competing internationally.
With its unique blend of real-world adventure and social connectivity, Explurger has become a shining example of Make-in-India ingenuity in the social media space. As the platform continues its global push, it demonstrates that India isn’t just building apps, it’s building experiences that travel the world.
MUMBAI: Homegrown social media platform Explurger has emerged as the digital frontrunner at Digital MahaKumbh 2025, establishing itself as the sole social network with a significant physical presence at the world’s largest religious gathering.
The platform, co-founded by Bollywood actor Sonu Sood in 2022, has set up a 2,000-square-foot creators’ lounge in partnership with AajTak, featuring podcast studios, an interactive stage, and a Formula One simulation zone sponsored by Red Bull. Notable performers including singers Shaan and Hariharan, alongside filmmaker Kabir Khan, have made appearances at the venue.
Beyond its digital offerings, Explurger’s on-ground team has proved instrumental during emergencies, helping coordinate safety measures during stampedes and fires whilst amplifying urgent alerts across its network. Said founder & CEO Jitin Bhatia: “As a made-in-India app built for travellers and explorers, we’re reshaping how the world connects through culture and meaningful content.”
The MahaKumbh festival has drawn an estimated 450 million visitors, including 30 million international tourists. While global social media platforms have maintained distance from the event, viewing it primarily through a religious lens, Explurger has embraced it as a cultural phenomenon.
The platform, which boasts 12 million users worldwide, offers unique features including an automatic travelogue and personalised bucket lists.
Its presence at MahaKumbh 2025 forms part of its campaign “One Event. One Billion Stories. One Lounge.”
MUMBAI: In Indian cinema, few stories reflect resilience like that of Sonu Sood. Recognised for his contributions beyond acting, Sood has become a figure in social causes. His latest venture involves cybersecurity with the film Fateh, where he highlights the role of secure surveillance systems. Sparsh CCTV has partnered with Fateh, featuring Sonu Sood. Set to release on 10 January 2025, the film focuses on combating cybercrime and aligns with Sparsh CCTV’s mission to provide surveillance solutions that protect captured data.
Sparsh CCTV provides cyber-secure surveillance systems designed to protect against unauthorised access to data collected by its cameras. This partnership aims to raise awareness of how secure surveillance solutions can address modern threats while safeguarding businesses, homes, and communities.
Sonu Sood, Sparsh CCTV’s brand ambassador, represents the brand’s values of trust, reliability, and innovation. His role in Fateh amplifies Sparsh’s commitment to empowering individuals and organizations with secure surveillance solutions that combine technology with ease of use. The association with Fateh brings Sparsh’s expertise in cyber-secure surveillance to the forefront, with its cameras showcased in key scenes of the film. These integrations demonstrate their importance in fostering a culture of safety and vigilance.
Sparsh CCTV cameras are engineered with cybersecurity features, ensuring that the data they capture is protected against unauthorized access. As a pioneer in the Indian surveillance industry, Sparsh has consistently delivered solutions that meet STQC certification standards to secure both physical and digital spaces.
Sparsh CCTV founder & CEO Sanjeev Sehgal stated: “At Sparsh, we believe in taking steps to protect what matters most. Partnering with Fateh is more than just a collaboration—it’s a shared mission to inspire action. Our surveillance solutions made in India ensure that communities, businesses, and individuals have the tools to stay secured and protected. This partnership is a step toward raising awareness about secure surveillance and its role in a safer India.”
Sonu Sood, the film’s lead actor and Sparsh CCTV’s brand ambassador, shared, “As Sparsh CCTV’s brand ambassador and the lead in Fateh, I’m honoured to champion the cause of cybersecurity. Sparsh’s solutions are fortifying India’s defences, and I’m proud to contribute to this mission.”
Mumbai: Radio City has announced the launch of its ‘Radio City Business Titans – Chapter III,’ taking place from 19 to 21 July at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Radio City Business Titans is a distinguished initiative dedicated to honour the excellence and innovation of Indian entrepreneurs. In a country where one in five individuals anticipate launching their own business, Radio City acknowledges their exceptional quality and creativity across all its 39 markets and beyond.
India, ranked fourth among 51 countries for entrepreneur quality, crafts visionary stories that define its economic growth. Following the success of its previous editions, the radio network is getting ready for chapter three of Radio City Business Titans with extravaganza, glamour, and grandeur. The latest edition of this prestigious event aims to honor Indian entrepreneurs for their resilience and exceptional business acumen across diverse categories.
Building on the triumph of the 2022 Dubai edition, Radio City is poised to showcase its dedication to honoring diverse Indian-owned businesses. This event will provide much-needed recognition and impetus for these enterprises to continue their successful endeavors. Joining in to celebrate the achievements of Indian entrepreneurs are acclaimed actors Sonu Sood and Chitrangada Singh, prominent figures in the Indian entertainment industry, our renowned RJ Archana will be hosting the event, adding a touch of star power and elegance.
Radio City CEO Ashit Kukian said, “At Radio City, we celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit and honor Indian business leaders who carve unique paths to success. With our extensive reach across India, we discover inspiring success stories that showcase endurance and unique skills. Chapter 3 of our marquee event, Radio City Business Titans, highlights individuals making significant contributions to the economy. The overwhelming success of our inaugural event emphasizes our impact, commemorating these leaders for their determination. As we prepare for our third edition, we aim to inspire optimism and further catalyse India’s entrepreneurial growth and economic advancement.”
Renowned actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood commented, “As a proud Indian, it’s inspiring to see platforms like Radio City Business Titans recognize and celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship that defines our nation. I look forward to witnessing the success stories that will emerge from this prestigious event.”
Actress Chitrangada Singh added, “Radio City Business Titans is not just an event but a testament to the determination and vision of Indian entrepreneurs. It’s an honor to be part of an initiative that spotlights their contributions to the global business landscape.”
Mumbai: Celebrity Cricket League (CCL), a premier sportainment extravaganza, is set to enthral fans once again as it embarks on its much-anticipated tenth season. Sony Sports Network, a leading sports broadcaster in India, has bagged the live telecast rights for the season, ensuring that fans across the nation can witness the thrilling action unfold.
The Celebrity Cricket League, now in its tenth season, is set to begin on 23 February. It will feature some of the biggest names from India’s film industry, including Salman Khan, Kichcha Sudeepa, Sohail Khan, Akhil Akkineni, Indrajith Sukumaran, Sonu Sood, Manoj Tiwari, Aarya, Jisshu Sengupta, Riteish Deshmukh, and more. The tournament will be held at various venues, including Sharjah (UAE), as well as multiple cities in India, such as Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Trivandrum and Vizag, which will also host the playoffs and finals.
Comments:
Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer – distribution & international business and head of sports business, Rajesh Kaul:
“Celebrity Cricket League has carved its niche in the hearts of cricket and cinema enthusiasts alike and showcases great entertainment value. Sony Sports Network is pleased to partner with Celebrity Cricket League to bring star-studded moments straight from the pitch to the viewers.”
CCL founder Vishnu Induri:
“We are pleased to announce our partnership with Sony Sports Network for the telecast of the Celebrity Cricket League on Indian television. Sony Sports Network is known for airing some of the best sports events throughout the year, and we are proud to have joined forces with a broadcaster that caters to millions of sports enthusiasts every day. Since its inception, the league has established itself as a prominent source of entertainment by offering high-quality cricketing action and has gained immense popularity. The previous season garnered an impressive cumulative TV and digital reach, exceeding 250 million viewers nationwide.”
The upcoming season promises 20 action-packed games, featuring eight teams representing major film industries. CCL, with over 200 film celebrities participating, continues to captivate audiences with its unique blend of sports and entertainment. Don’t miss out on the adrenaline-pumping moments, as CCL’s 10th season unfolds exclusively on Sony Sports Network, delivering unparalleled access to the heart of the action.
Mumbai: Castrol India Ltd, lubricant manufacturer, in association with TV9 Network, announces the ‘Castrol CRB TURBOMAX Pragati Ki Paathshaala’ initiative, building on the ethos of its latest campaign ‘#BadhteRahoAagey’. This purpose-led initiative aims to spur entrepreneurial zeal and enhance the professional competencies of truck drivers across India with an on-ground planned reach to over 100,000 truckers. In a show of support, Nitin Gadkari union minister of road transport and highways of India, launched the campaign by unveiling the logo, along with Castrol India Ltd managing director Sandeep Sangwan, and TV9 Network chief growth officer (Broadcasting & Digital) Raktim Das.
In its first phase ‘Castrol CRB TURBOMAX Pragati Ki Paathshala’ will embark on a two-and-a-half-month journey on two specially designed trucks taking different routes covering all four regions across India. The enroute journey will engage truck drivers in interactive, on-ground Paathshaalas across planned Transport Nagars on their way. The knowledge sessions have been curated to upskill truckers around four key aspects—Driving Safety, Truck Ownership, New Technology and Business Profitability—empowering them to #BadhteRahoAagey.
Appreciating the initiative, Nitin Gadkari, union minister of road transport and highways, said, “The road ministry of India is committed to ensuring the safety, well-being and progress of truck drivers by undertaking multiple initiatives. The Government has built state-of-the-art expressways and enacted laws to curb road accidents, but lack of fear and discipline among motorists is a huge challenge. I congratulate Castrol India for launching Pragati Ki Paathshaala’ which is a step towards building awareness and encouraging truckers to #BadhteRahoAagey.”
Castrol India managing director Sandeep Sangwan stated, “The trucking community has always been an integral part of Castrol India, and we have been continuously striving to ensure their safety and livelihood through various transformative initiatives. ‘Castrol CRB TURBOMAX Pragati Ki Paathshaala’ is a purpose-led programme through which we aim to reach more than 100,000 truckers on-ground across India, upskilling over 10,000 truck drivers with live Paathshaalas enabling them to #BadhteRahoAagey. We are humbled by the encouragement from Shri Nitin Gadkari, as he himself has steered initiatives to ensure the safety and well-being of truck drivers over the years. His show of support vindicates our commitment to improving the lives of India’s trucking community.”
Highlighting the challenges of the trucking community and the benefits availed through the initiative, Sangwan added, “More than 50 per cent of India’s truckers operate in unorganised
fleets or as individual owners. The programme aims to boost their entrepreneurial mindset and directs them towards the path of progress – bringing alive the idea of #BadhteRahoAagey.”
Bollywood actor Sonu Sood, well-known for his earnest altruism in helping the common man, has come on board to endorse the noble cause as the campaign ambassador for ‘Castrol CRB TURBOMAX Pragati Ki Paathshaala’. He will pay tribute to the often-unsung trucking community for their selfless service and encourage them to #BadhteRahoAagey.
“I salute our unsung heroes of the transportation industry – the truck drivers – for their relentless hard work. ‘Castrol CRB TURBOMAX Pragati Ki Paathshaala’ will help truck drivers equip themselves with the skills and expertise to progress in life. I wish them luck on their journey to a brighter future and would like to tell them ‘Pragati ki Paathsaala ke saath #BadhteRahoAagey,” Sonu Sood, said.
TV9 Network, which has been championing the cause of truck drivers through multiple campaigns, is again at the forefront of empowering this often-neglected community. Commenting on the partnership, Mr Raktim Das, Chief Growth Officer (Broadcasting & Digital), TV9 Network, said: “Truck drivers literally keep the wheels of India’s economy moving but they are rarely accorded any recognition and promise of a better life. As India’s No. 1 news network, we deeply care about people and their progress. Our association with Castrol CRB Turbomax for the pathbreaking Pragati Ki Paathshaala campaign shows our unwavering commitment to the empowerment of our truck drivers. We believe a skilled truck driver will steer the country on the path of progress.”
Talking about the social cause initiative, he added: “Upskilling of truck drivers assumes importance, especially in the backdrop of India’s automotive space witnessing a rapid transformation. Truck drivers also need to constantly hone and upgrade their skills. This campaign aims to provide them with the essential knowledge and guidance needed for success and growth.”
Mumbai: Embracing the festive spirit, it is the time of the year when people are eagerly excited to shop to their heart’s content. Taking the shopping experience a notch higher, BIG FM, one of the leading radio networks in the country, returns with Season 2 of its celebrated campaign ‘Super Duper Dhamaka’. With the tagline ‘Khelte Khelte Shopping Karega India’, the campaign this year introduces an innovative and dynamic concept – a gamified sale that combines the excitement of the stock market with the joy of retail shopping. The radio network has roped in Bollywood star Sonu Sood, who is the face of the campaign and India’s next shopping partner.
Conceptualised with the aim of helping small-scale retailers to build back better, Super Duper Dhamaka Season 2 takes a step ahead to make this a rewarding experience for all. The campaign offers an enhanced user interface with engaging gamification elements. The website, www.superduperdhamaka.com, is designed to be visually appealing and easy to navigate, and features a bar displaying various price points, from lowest to the highest for the products listed. Adding an exciting element, users will have to catch the lowest price point in an engaging gamified manner, akin to a video game. For retailers, the campaign holds the promise of increased product visibility, encouraging user engagement.
Once the user registers, Sonu Sood will be the shopping partner for the entire experience. He will explain the entire concept of the Super Duper Dhamaka sale and help them navigate the platform. Offering a more personalised experience, Sonu Sood will engage users by enquiring about their product preferences amongst a host of categories, while also providing information about the best offers available in particular areas. QR codes will also be present in stores which users can scan and lucky few will stand a chance to win bumper prizes.
Speaking about the campaign, BIG FM COO Sunil Kumaran said, “Super Duper Dhamaka is our endeavour to provide small scale retailers with a platform that helps increase their reach resulting in sales and which makes shopping an easy experience for the users as well. After the stupendous success of the first season, we are excited to bring back season 2 with Sonu Sood as the face of the campaign. This year we have completely gamified the entire experience making it extremely interactive for the users whilst highlighting the best deals they can secure”
Actor Sonu Sood said, “I am excited to associate with BIG FM for a campaign that promotes and helps small businesses in such a unique manner. Super Duper Dhamaka aims at giving a rewarding shopping experience to the consumers and I am thrilled to become their shopping partner for this fun, creative and seamless engagement. This is my first stint associating with the brand and I am looking forward to engage with my fans through this medium.”
BIG FM Super Duper Dhamaka Season 2 is presented by Anchor by Panasonic, co-powered by Bikaji and our trading partner, Avadhut Sathe Trading Academy. The campaign combines the local reach of radio with gamification to give advertisers and consumers a never-before opportunity. It is being extensively promoted on-air and across digital and social media platforms of BIG FM.
So, enjoy the shopping extravaganza this festive season by registering on www.superduperdhamaka.com now!
Mumbai: Witnessing a groundbreaking partnership that combined entertainment, responsibility and compassion, India’s leading youth entertainment channel, MTV’s iconic youth reality show, MTV Roadies – Karm ya Kaand joined forces with the Maharashtra Highway Traffic Police for an innovative road safety campaign in Mumbai. In a significant move towards fostering road safety awareness, MTV Roadies provided 500 Roadies branded helmets, created by a not-for-profit organisation, Yashlok Foundation, to the Maharashtra Highway Traffic Police. This collaboration underscored the show’s dedication to promoting road safety and responsibility, with a sense of adventure, in line with the ethos of the show.
As a part of this collaboration, Humanitarian, Philanthropist, and Actor Sonu Sood, along with a dedicated team of Traffic personnel took over the bustling streets of Andheri West, Mumbai recently. Similar to the show’s unexpected twists and turns, the team equipped ‘Kaand’ helmet non-wearers i.e., the rule-breakers with the helmets, instead of penalizing them – as an act of ‘Karm’ to help them follow road safety rules in the future. Embodying the spirit of the show, the initiative emphasised the importance of doing good deeds while holding individuals accountable for their actions.
Maharashtra Highway Traffic Police additional director general of police (ADGP) Dr Ravinder Singal, added, “As guardians of road safety, we are committed to making our streets safer for all. This unique collaboration between MTV Roadies – Karm ya Kaand and us, the Maharashtra Highway Traffic Police, has helped us reinforce the importance of road safety in a widespread way, changing mindsets and behaviours. We are appreciative of all the efforts taken by MTV on the streets of Mumbai today.”
Deepening the message of the initiative, viewers also witnessed a vital road safety message by the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) of Maharashtra Traffic Police, Ravinder Singal, during one of the recent episodes of MTV – Roadies Karm ya Kaand, fostering responsible behaviour on the roads, amongst MTV Roadies fans across the nation.
Stay tuned for an unforgettable finale episode of MTV Roadies – Karm ya Kaand on 15 October at 7 pm only on MTV and JioCinema right after!
Mumbai: In yet another venture into the sporting world, SG Sports led by APL Apollo has acquired ‘Bengaluru Spartans’, one of the eight teams that will be participating in the much-awaited Tennis Premier League- TPL 2023. With the ownership of this team with SG Sports Ventures now, it has been renamed as ‘Bengaluru SG Mavericks’ with ace tennis player Sania Mirza as its brand ambassador. A new logo of the team has also been launched. ‘Bengaluru SG Mavericks’ is a complete team with both men and women tennis players who will participate in the high-octane sporting event in December, in different formats like Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Mixed Doubles, and Men’s Doubles.
APL Apollo is a leading structural steel tube brand with over 55 per cent share in the domestic market. Its strategic arm, SG Sports, is committed to significantly impacting the sporting industry.APL Apollo Tubes Ltd chief managing director (CMD) Sanjay Gupta has a huge passion for sports. This segment is dedicated to supporting and nourishing young sporting talent in India.
The fifth edition of the highly anticipated tournament is set to be held in December this year, with all the matches taking place at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune. The adrenaline-packed event is being organized under the auspices of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) and Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA). The popularity of TPL can be gauged from the fact that many celebrities have been associated with it. Among them are Sonu Sood, Arjun Kapoor, Malaika Arora, Rakul Preet Singh, Leander Paes, and Sonali Bendre. Sania Mirza has been with the team for the last three years and this would be her fourth year supporting Bengaluru. Leander Paes also has been associated since the beginning of this league and makes sure he is there for all the matches.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the venture, APL Apollo Tubes Ltd CMD Sanjay Gupta. said, “This is a great opportunity for our company to associate with the spirit of sports that teaches us the most valuable lessons in life. We look forward to this association with Bengaluru Spartans which is Bengaluru SG Mavericks now and wish each player ahead of the trailblazing contest to be held in December this year. It is an also amazing start with this league sport that has been gaining more and more popularity in India. It will be great to witness that the new talent will rub shoulders with some of the most versatile tennis players in the world Overall, it is a great moment to associate the name of the brand with a sport that is popular worldwide.”
Bengaluru SG Mavericks brand ambassador Sania Mirza said, “I am thrilled to be a part of this exciting venture and obliged to SG Sports for choosing me as their brand ambassador. As a former tennis player and woman, I feel that India has a lot of potential in terms of sports and tennis has seen more and more interest from our young generation recently. Still, there are miles to go before we shine on the world stage in this sport and Tennis Premier League provides a brilliant opportunity for young and upcoming players to prove their mettle on the court. SG Sports is doing a great job in supporting such budding players and giving them an ideal platform where they can compete with top players and learn from their skills.”
The other participating teams in TPL 2023 include the Bengal Wizards, Mumbai Leon Army, Punjab Tigers, Pune Jaguars, Bengaluru Spartans, Delhi Binny’s Brigade, Hyderabad Strikers, and Gujarat Panthers. Pertinent to mention here that Indian tennis legend Leander Paes has recently announced his acquisition of a stake in the Bengal franchise.
As far as the TPL format is concerned, it has eight franchises that will play a total of five matches to qualify for the semi-final. Each match between two franchises will have a total of 4 games (Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Mixed Doubles and Men’s Doubles). Each match will be worth 20 points, thus there will be a total of 80 points at stake in each contest. Each team will play a total of 400 points (80 points x 5 matches) at the league stage. The top 4 teams in the points table will qualify for the semi-finals.
The Tennis Premier League (TPL), packages traditional tennis into a highly entertaining tournament to capture the imagination of fans. With an unorthodox format, it is set to be a tennis equivalent to the Indian Premier League and is returning for its fifth season this year. The league is poised to write yet another chapter in the annals of Indian tennis history, as fans eagerly await the start of TPL 2023. Sports outside of cricket are gaining more traction among Indian audiences. Tennis has a sizeable following in India, with close to 100 million viewers that watched the sport on TV last year.
Mumbai: AS-IT-IS Nutrition, a pioneer in the health and fitness sector, is proud to announce the launch of its empowering campaign, “SACCHAI INSIDE OUT”, in collaboration with its brand ambassador, Bollywood actor, Sonu Sood.
The “SACCHAI INSIDE OUT” campaign highlights the brand’s commitment to be faithful to its label promises. Without a doubt, the consumer will receive what they read on the product label. There are no secrets, phoney assurances, or false claims, sirf SACCHAI! The campaign is further supported by the tagline “jo bahar dikhe wo hi andar mile.”
AS-IT-IS Nutrition stands as a guiding light of transparency and truthfulness in the sports nutrition market clouded with confusion. The brand consistently redefines industry standards because of its unwavering dedication to authenticity and purity. AS-IT-IS is steadfast in its search for the truth, committed to maintaining supplement composition transparency and committed to maintaining unmatched product quality. The brand is based on the fundamental tenet that accepting the truth is the first step towards real transformation.
Sonu Sood, the brand ambassador of the “SACCHAI INSIDE OUT” campaign shared his thoughts on the initiative, saying, “As the proud ambassador of the ‘SACCHAI INSIDE OUT’ campaign, I am truly excited to be a part of the journey towards embracing authenticity. I genuinely identify with the campaign’s values, and I think that by embracing the “SACCHAI,” we can achieve true fitness on the inside and the outside. I support the cause and promise to encourage India to adopt a healthy lifestyle by choosing authenticity, transparency, and purity. Join me in the movement of choosing SACCHAI, and together, let’s use the power of SACCHAI INSIDE OUT to unlock our potential”.
“The idea behind AS-IT-IS was to fill a void in the nutrition market (which was overrun with complex product portfolios), by offering a simple, pure element. The “SACCHAI INSIDE OUT” campaign highlights the fact that the brand makes claims but backs them up with research evidence. To make a lasting impression, the campaign aims to combine the ambassador’s influence with the fundamental principles of the company. With every choice of our supplements, you are enveloped in the power of SACCHAI, and that’s where the real transformation unfolds. The campaign is not a marketing initiative but rather a transformative theme about producing a cascading effect of the SACCHAI impact”, remarked AS-IT-IS Nutrition co-founder Arvind Jain.
AS-IT-IS Nutrition co-founder Himmath Jain commented on the campaign’s launch by saying, “Transparency is not just something we highlight; it’s who we are as a company. We are committed to exposing the truth about supplement composition so that you can see what you put into your body. Our claims are not just empty platitudes; they are promises supported by evidence. We don’t tell stories; rather, we recount actual triumphs made possible by our supplements. When you choose our brand, you’re not just choosing our supplements; you’re also choosing to fuel your fitness journey authentically. Join us in accepting the SACCHAI, and together we will reveal a world of sincere options and substantial change”.
