Category Archives: Entertainment

KCC Offstage Presents Iman Chakraborty: An Enchanting Evening of Music and Memories

Kolkata, July 1, 2025 — The second session of this season’s KCC Offstage featured acclaimed singer Iman Chakraborty in an intimate and immersive evening of live music, conversation, and reflection. Held at the amphitheatre of Kolkata Centre for Creativity, the session drew a housefull audience and offered a rare, close-up experience of the artist in performance.

A key highlight of the evening was her rendition of Aaoge Jab Tum, originally sung by Rashid Khan. The audience joined in, singing along softly turning the moment into a quiet collective experience. Iman also responded to live song requests from the audience, adding a spontaneous and interactive layer to the session.

True to the Offstage format, the evening unfolded through music and informal storytelling, blending traditional forms like Rabindrasangeet and Nazrul Geeti with her own work, including Alada Alada, written by Anupam Roy. The session reinforced KCC Offstage as a platform for meaningful, artist-led engagement in the city’s cultural calendar.

“I was in a hurry to stop taking money from home, to stand on my own feet,” Gagan Arora

“I was in a hurry to stop taking money from home, to stand on my own feet,” Gagan Arora drew a parallel between his real-life experiences and the emotional core of Amazon MX Player’s Lafangey

~Lafangey is now available for free exclusively on Amazon MX Player~

Mumbai- India, 26 June 2025: Not all dreams are born in a spotlight; some take root in the narrow bylanes of Noida, where friendship runs deep, dreams hang by a thread, and survival is a full-time job. Lafangey: Sapne, Dosti, Duniya, streaming on Amazon MX Player, Amazon’s free streaming service, brings to life a grounded, emotionally charged coming-of-age tale that reflects the very essence of India’s urban middle class. Directed by Prem Mistry and written by Abhishek Yadav and a standout cast featuring Gagan Arora, Anud Singh Dhaka, Barkha Singh, Harsh Beniwal, and Saloni Gaur, Lafangey holds up a mirror to a generation caught between ambition and adversity, seeking meaning in a world that’s often indifferent.

Gagan Arora, who essays the role of Rohan in the series, drew a parallel between his real-life experiences and the emotional core of the show. He shared, “Back then, I just wanted to stop depending on my parents and start earning on my own. I think I grew up a little too fast because of that urgency.  I was in a hurry to stop taking money from home, to stand on my own feet. Even today, that early drive continues to shape how I see life. I am naturally drawn to people who carry that same fire and hunger to build something of their own. When I meet someone who’s equally focused on becoming self-reliant, there’s an instant sense of respect. It’s not just admirable and inspiring, it resonates with me on a personal level.”

Dive into the world of three childhood friends— Chaitanya, Rohan, and Kamlesh and witness them grapple with the harsh realities of life. Lafangey is now available for free exclusively on Amazon MX Player, available through its apps on mobile, Amazon’s shopping app, Prime Video, Fire TV, and Connected TVs.

Living the Bachelor Life? Well Zee Kannada’s Bharjari Bachelors comes to your rescue!

Bangalore, 26th June 2025: Zee Kannada has consistently maintained its position as Karnataka’s No.1 general entertainment channel, winning the hearts of viewers across age groups with its diverse mix of fiction and non-fiction content. Taking its innovation a step further, Zee Kannada has now collaborated with Zepto for a one-of-its-kind campaign that adds a fun, relatable twist to its latest non-fiction show, Bharjari Bachelor, by surprising real-life bachelors with ‘Bachelor Essentials Kits’ filled with everyday items they commonly use.

Bharjari Bachelor season 2 is an entertaining reality show where a group of spirited bachelors navigate quirky challenges under the mentorship of ‘Angels’ while being judged by the graceful Rachita Ram and crazy star Ravichandran. The show blends humour, drama, and heartfelt moments as contestants strive to prove themselves and win hearts.
To take the show’s spirit beyond television, Zee Kannada has crafted a unique on-ground activation inspired by the everyday lifestyle of bachelors, in association with Zepto. From shampoo sachets to instant noodles to basic grooming items, the channel curated ‘Bachelor Essentials Kits’ reflecting the humorous yet practical realities of bachelors’ life.

Link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLTz1zmyLTz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MTVpbWF2bXZueXBoNQ==

This thoughtful and engaging campaign brings the show’s theme alive while strengthening the connection between content and community.

Talking about the collaboration, Deepak Sriramulu said, “At Zee Kannada, we are always looking for innovative ways to connect with our viewers and bring our content to life. This collaboration with Zepto for ‘Bharjari Bachelor’ perfectly embodies that spirit, adding a fun, relatable twist that celebrates the everyday lives of bachelors.”

With this quirky and impactful activation, Zee Kannada once again proves its ability to blend entertainment with relatability in innovative ways. The collaboration with Zepto not only boosts viewer engagement but also reinforces Zee Kannada’s position as a brand that understands and celebrates its viewers.

Stay tuned to Bharjari Bachelor every week only on Zee Kannada and experience the laughter, learning, and fun that unfolds!

RJ Malishka Honoured for Redefining Indian Radio with Her Fearless Voice

25 June 2025  RJ Malishka Mendonsa is one of India’s most iconic radio voices, known for hosting Red FM Mumbai’s popular show Morning No.1. With her fearless personality and deep connection to the city, she has become a symbol of Mumbai’s spirit.

Malishka began her media journey at All India Radio before rising to fame at Red FM. Her mix of sharp wit, social commentary, and civic activism has earned her accolades such as the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Excellence Award.

And recently, Mumbai’s favourite voice, RJ Malishka, was honoured at the inaugural Maharashtra Radio Fest 2025, where she received the highest recognition of the evening, an award instituted in the name of the legendary Asha Bhosale, celebrating excellence in radio.

From her early days in college, she has always been a part of theatre, community, and with time, hosting on the radio. Malishka has become a cultural force known for her fearless commentary, civic campaigns, and infectious energy.

Reflecting on the moment, Malishka shared:

Very honoured to receive this State-recognised award for my work. This is a moment for the entire Radio Community. I’ve always used the microphone to be a voice for the people and I’m so happy to see that the State recognises it. I hope in the future Radio will be empowered further by facilitating it on mobile phones so that the reach of our medium is far and wide.

How Actors Are Powering Up Their Immunity This Rainy Season!

The monsoon may bring a welcome break from the summer heat, but it also ushers in a season of fluctuating temperatures, waterborne illnesses, and weakened immunity. For television actors who juggle demanding shoot schedules, staying fit and infection-free is a top priority. To combat seasonal health risks, they turn to mindful eating habits that support immunity, focusing on warm, home-cooked meals, herbal concoctions, and nutrient-rich foods.

&TV actors Sapna Sikarwar (Bimlesh, Happu Ki Ultan Paltan) and Aasif Sheikh (Vibhuti Mishra, Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai) share how they are boosting their immunity to stay healthy and active during the rains. Sapna Sikarwar, aka Bimlesh from Happu Ki Ultan Paltan, shares, “During the monsoon, my focus is on strengthening my immunity through simple, home-based remedies. I avoid anything too oily or spicy, as it just doesn’t sit well during this season. Instead, I rely on warm soups, steamed veggies, and lots of herbal teas. I have made it a habit to start my mornings with warm water infused with tulsi and ginger—it helps with digestion and keeps me feeling energised. I also stock up on fruits like papaya and pomegranate; they are great for the skin and immunity. These small changes make a big difference in how I feel during the season.”

Aasif Sheikh, aka Vibhuti Narayan Mishra from Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai, shares, “Monsoons are beautiful, but they also mean a higher risk of infections. That’s why I never compromise on foods that help keep my immunity strong. I make it a point to include light, warm meals, things like moong dal, rice, and sautéed vegetables. My go-to immunity booster is a cup of herbal tea every evening; it’s soothing and effective. I stay away from street food during this time and drink plenty of warm water to stay hydrated. I have noticed that sticking to a clean, nutritious diet helps me stay mentally sharp and physically fit for long shoots. For me, the key to enjoying the monsoon season lies in simple, consistent efforts to eat right, as I believe wellness starts right from the kitchen.”

Watch Happu Ki Ultan Paltan at 10:00 PM and Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai at 10:30 PM, every Monday to Friday, only on &TV!

Vishnu Manchu says Kannappa is his version of Lord Of The Rings in IMDb’s ‘Behind The Scenes’

Kannappa, the highly anticipated mythological drama, is set to release in cinemas later this month. Starring Mohanlal, Prabhas, Vishnu Manchu, Akshay Kumar and Kajal Aggarwal, amongst others, the film is directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh. Manchu recently appeared in IMDb’s original series ‘Behind The Scenes’ where he shared insights into what went behind writing the film and what audiences can look forward to.

Vishnu Manchu

Manchu said, “Kannappa is a true story which has happened in India. It’s a story about an atheist who becomes Lord Shiva’s greatest devotee. This is a journey of self realization and I kind of resonated with the script when I heard it, and here I am, after 10 years of working on the script, bringing it to the world to see.”

Sharing his inspiration behind making the film, Manchu revealed, “In 2014, there was a scriptwriter who wanted to make this movie, and approached me. For me, when he was narrating it to me, I was already making it larger than life, trying to make it big. Since then, my journey began and I started developing the script and making it large, working on the pre-production, doing the storyboarding and everything.”

On working with director Mukesh Kumar Singh, Manchu said, “Mr Mukesh comes with a lot of experience on filming one of India’s greatest epic, Mahabharat. That was a super success and he was the man behind it. When he came in, he gave a few nuances which were phenomenal. The character arcs which he helped the actors achieve was absolutely brilliant. The credit for the performance of the actors goes to him.” Manchu added, “A major part of the movie was when Kannappa was an atheist. I was stuck with how to approach it. While writing it, I wrote the character. But as an actor, when I was trying to bring it on screen, a day before the shoot, I went and told him, ‘I still haven’t figured it out’. He just kept quiet then, and after an hour, he came back and he said, ‘Imagine you’re a tiger. A lion, even if it hunts, it lays back, the lioness does the thing. But you never see a tiger let down its guard or yawning or falling down or acting like a lion’.”

Sharing how life has changed for him after making this film, Manchu mentioned, “While making the movie, and after making the movie, and being and dwelling in this movie, I am right now living in a lot of positivity. I believe this is all Lord Shiva’s magic and it’s all his leela, what we believe in.” Manchu further shared, “One of the biggest surprises in this movie is gonna be Mr.Mohanlal’s character. People who are well versed with our Indian epics, they’re gonna be blown away by Mr. Mohanlal’s character and the episode of his”

Mentioning the inspiration while preparing for the film, Manchu said, “I’m a huge fan of The Lord of The Rings and this is my version of it”

Naach Gaana and Narebaazi: Prime Video’s Panchayat Season 4 is here to rock on World Music Day

When someone says “Panchayat,” chances are the first thing that plays in your head is the iconic title track—the one that tugged at your heart and perfectly captured the soul of Phulera. Over the years, the music of Panchayat has quietly built its own fanbase, becoming as beloved as its characters. Whether it’s a soul-stirring background score or a full-blown anthem, the show’s music has consistently struck the right chord with audiences across the country.

As Prime Video’s Panchayat gears up for the premiere of its much-awaited fourth season on June 24, the buzz isn’t just about plot twists or beloved characters. It’s also about the music—because in Panchayat, every beat tells a story. After winning hearts with the rhythmic powerhouse Hind Ke Sitara and setting the internet ablaze with the viral sensation Raja Ji, the music of Panchayat season 3 has gone beyond the show. It had taken over reels, playlists, and pop culture itself—cementing its place as a true sonic signature of small-town India. And now, with Season 4, the world is humming to Panchayat’s newest tunes. The album has already begun turning heads with three brand-new tracks that are unapologetically desi, irresistibly groovy, and bursting with Phulera-style flair and drama. Each track has been beautifully woven into the narrative of the show, capturing the chaos of election season with high-voltage narebaazi, emotional highs, and quirky vibes—making it more than just background music, but a character in itself.

It’s Panchayat times bhai, gaane ke bina kaise chalega? Here is the tracklist from the 4th installement:
1. Saavdhani Hati by Anuraj Saikia, Romy, and Juno
2. Generator Song by Anuraj Saikia, Aanand Bajpai, and Juno
3. Dekh Tamasha by Anuraj Saikia, Divya Kumar, and Juno

This World Music Day, we’re not just listening—we’re celebrating how Panchayat’s music has become a phenomenon. From echoing in the gullies of Phulera to trending across global timelines, this is a soundtrack that speaks the language of the people.

Returning with its trademark humor, heart, and grounded storytelling, the latest season welcomes back its beloved ensemble cast, featuring Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, Faisal Malik, Chandan Roy, Sanvikaa, Durgesh Kumar, Sunita Rajwar, and Pankaj Jha. Produced by The Viral Fever, Panchayat Season 4 is created by Deepak Kumar Mishra and Chandan Kumar, written by Chandan Kumar, and directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra and Akshat Vijaywargiya. Get ready for some heightened emotions as Panchayat Season 4 promises another unforgettable chapter in Phulera—streaming on Prime Video from June 24.

‘Radio City Originals’ Drops the Beat – A New Era of Homegrown Hits Begins

India, June 21^th, 2025: This World Music Day, Radio City, India’s leading FM radio network, alters audio entertainment by introducing a musical innovation with the launch of its in-house music endeavour “Radio City Originals” – to celebrate World Music Day 2025. With this launch, Radio City becomes the first FM radio network in India to create and release its own exclusive music tracks, crafted in-house and unveiled across all major Hindi-speaking markets. The first track under Radio City Originals will go live at 9:00 am on 21st June 2025 across Radio City stations.

There are more surprises for the listeners, a curated all-day ‘A to Z of Indian Music Artists’ marathon, and Sound of Mumbai – a hyperlocal musical celebration.

The A-Z of Indian Music Artists special will take over airwaves with a musical marathon featuring iconic Indian artists across generations and genres. From timeless legends to contemporary hitmakers, each artist has been handpicked to represent a letter of the alphabet. The day-long celebration includes:

• Diverse representation of Bollywood, Indie, Folk, and Contemporary hits
• Rare tracks, fan favourites, and milestone songs that shaped Indian music
• Behind-the-scenes trivia, untold anecdotes, and exclusive artist soundbites
• RJ-led storytelling and talk-ups to keep listeners immersed

Ashit Kukian, CEO of Radio City, said, “Radio City Originals is our pledge to nurturing India’s indie music scene by giving original voices the stage they deserve—on air, online, and everywhere in between. From AI-assisted production to multi-genre artist showcases, we’re pushing the envelope to create music that reflects modern India. Be it the gullies of Dharavi or digital dreams of a Gen Z singer-songwriter, we’re turning up the volume on talent that deserves to be heard.”

World Music Day 2025 marks a special moment for Radio City and its listeners — a day of new beginnings, unforgettable voices, and unparalleled experiences. Whether you’re vibing to fresh originals, Bollywood legends from every era, or exploring Mumbai’s musical streets, the channel invites every Indian to tune in and turn up the volume on ‘what makes our music unique.’ Celebrate with us — One nation, Countless sounds, One Radio City.

Over 1 Million Branded Videos Monthly, Yet Artists Lose Rs 900 Crore in Royalties Every Year

By-Gaurav Dagaonkar, Co-Founder & CEO, Hoopr

As we observe World Music Day, it is vital to acknowledge that music in today’s world is not simply a form of expression; it acts as a business driver, culture connector, and strategic marketing asset. In India’s rapidly expanding digital landscape, over 1 million branded content pieces are produced every month by more than 80,000 brands and 550,000 creators. Music in any form is an essential part of all of this content and adds emotional depth and recall. Campaigns employing well-integrated and licensed music see 25–35% higher engagement, improved platform performance, and increased ROI.

But the industry still faces serious challenges. An estimated 87% of branded content uses music without proper licensing, largely because of ignorance, a fragmented ownership structure, and long licensing processes. This leads to staggering annual losses of  ₹8,000-10,000 crore, almost ₹3,600 crore from unpaid licensing fees and ₹900 crore in royalties lost to artists. The risk of take downs, strikes and penalties of up to ₹5 crore for using unlicensed music is significant for brands and creators. In some cases, even influencer-led campaigns have resulted in legal action, with brands held accountable for copyright misuse.

At Hoopr, we’re building a tech-first solution to this problem. Our platform provides instant licensing for Bollywood, regional, and independent music – delivering turnarounds from weeks to minutes and enabling licensing of music rights for all creators. With Hoopr Smash, we’re enabling access to over 18,500 tracks, including culturally rich music from across India, tailored for high-frequency digital content.

India is one of the largest music-consuming countries globally, yet less than 1% of users pay for music subscriptions. Streaming platforms deliver payments to content creators as low as ₹0.01 per stream – which makes sync licensing a vital revenue stream for artists and labels. At Hoopr  we are enabling legal, instant and affordable licensing, helping to protect brands as well and establishing a fair ecosystem that shares the benefits of our enabling rights and content owners and creators.

As the industry moves from mass media communication to platform storytelling, music is no longer just one jingle for all. It’s about having an adaptive soundtrack to reach smaller niche audiences. Music must be included from the beginning in the campaign strategy—not as a last-minute inclusion—but as a creative foundation. That is the future that we believe in— a compliant, scalable, inclusive music economy, that honors rights, inspires performance, and provides predictable sources of income and support to creators at all levels.”

Prime Video launches a one-of-its-kind WhatsApp experience that lets fans become a Phulera-vaasi

Phulera’s election fever is coming to your phone — literally! As Panchayat Season 4 premieres on June 24, Prime Video today launched a never-seen-before WhatsApp activation where you become part of the drama — a one-of-a-kind interactive journey where fans don’t just watch the elections unfold — they play a pivotal role in shaping them.

Fans are dropped straight into Phulera’s political battleground — not as bystanders, but as their chosen party’s Election Guru. And, just like the show’s four leads who meet for their night-outs, all it takes is a “hi”. Users are invited to pick a side and guide their candidate to victory. Through a series of interactive prompts, they’ll co-create campaign posters, star in party anthems, shape manifesto promises — and decide the fate of Phulera, one chat at a time.

Expect meme wars led by the mischievously clever Banrakas and his sharper, quick-witted partner Kranti Devi, rally cries from Pradhanji, and quirky puzzles and reminders from the strong and composed Prahlad. Vikas brings in comic chaos with quizzes and filters, while Manju Devi welcomes you with equal parts sarcasm and warmth. The game pulls viewers right into Phulera’s election madness, where every chat feels like a fresh campaign twist. The race is on, and the drama has never been more delicious.

Pick your side — Team Manju Devi or Team Kranti — and help your party rise to power through a series of mini-games, slogan drops, poster wars, and more. The village is watching, and every tap counts. Launched with cast-led vertical videos that stay true to the show’s raw, rooted vibe, the campaign is already drawing fans into the thick of the action.