Bollywood Hungama’s Style Icons Summit and Awards 2024: A Resounding Success

July 5, 2024

The Bollywood Hungama Style Icons Summit and Awards 2024 was a resounding success, bringing together some of the biggest names in the Indian film and television industry. The event, held on May 2, 2024, at the Taj Lands’ End, was a star-studded celebration of style, fashion, and talent.
Some of the notable winners of the evening included Ajay Devgn, who was honoured with the Most Stylish Superstar of the Year award, and Jaideep Ahlawat, who took home the Most Stylish Mega Performer of the Year award. Vijay Varma was also a winner, receiving the Most Stylish Performer award, and was seen sharing a heartfelt moment with his friends and fellow actors Rajkummar Rao and Vijay Varma.

The event also featured a panel discussion on Style and Showbiz: Perfect Partners or Mutual Beneficiaries, which was attended by Gauahar Khan, Mugdha Godse, Tejasswi Prakash, Shriya Pilgaonkar, and Sumeet Vyas. The discussion highlighted the importance of style in the entertainment industry and how it can be a powerful tool for self-expression and empowerment.

Other notable attendees at the event included Pooja Hegde, Hina Khan, and Parineeti Chopra, among others. The event was a testament to the growing influence of Bollywood Hungama, which has established itself as a leading platform for entertainment news and fashion.

Overall, the Bollywood Hungama Style Icons Summit and Awards 2024 was a huge success, celebrating the best of Indian fashion, style, and talent. The event was a must-watch for anyone who's anyone in the Indian entertainment industry, and we can't wait to see what next year's edition has in store.

For more information, please visit www.hungama.org

Hungama Digital Media and Bhamla Foundation unveil star-studded ‘Bhoomi Namaskar’ Anthem to promote environmental sustainability

July 5, 2024

The press conference witnessed luminaries from various fields celebrating the launch of ‘Bhoomi Namaskar,’ an anthem promoting environmental awareness and sustainable living

National, xx June 2024: Hungama Digital Media and Bhamla Foundation proudly 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 Bhamla Foundation, Neeraj Roy- Founder, Hungama Digital Media. Other notable personalities joining 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.

Neeraj Roy, Founder & MD, Hungama Digital Media 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, Asif Bhamla, President, Bhamla Foundation, 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.”

About Hungama

Hungama, a pioneer in the digital entertainment industry, has been at the forefront of delivering joy and entertainment to billions of consumers across South Asia. With 25 years of expertise, Hungama continues to innovate and evolve, offering users various entertainment options through mobile, internet, IPTV, events, and digital IPs. With a vast library of over 45 million assets and a strong presence across 75 countries and 150+ platforms, Hungama is the go-to destination for unparalleled entertainment experiences. Notably, the strength of Hungama's social media community reaches 20 million+, while their social video platforms collectively reach 10 million+ users. With an extensive distribution network, Hungama's total reach exceeds a remarkable 600 million+.

Hungama Platforms:

Bollywood Hungama - Bollywood Hungama is the world’s most widely read Bollywood online daily.
Hungama Artist Aloud is a Digital Media, Distribution, Talent management, and on-the-ground and Digital IPs platform for independent artists and original content across the Globe.
Hungama Games - A leading game publisher focused on developing games for the South Asian market.
Hungama Heftverse - Hungama’s new initiative into the Metaverse.
For more information, please visit www.hungama.org

Hungama announces the launch of its new Tamil web-series ‘En Ethire Rendu Papa’ packed with entertainment and humour

August 12, 2023

~ The show features popular actors from the Tamil entertainment industry such as Sakshi Agarwal, Shariq Hassan and Manisha Jashnani ~

xx, August 2023: Hungama, India's leading digital entertainment platform, has unveiled its latest adult-comedy series, 'En Ethire Rendu Papa'. The show boasts an exceptional cast, headlined by talented artists that include Sakshi Agarwal, Shariq Hassan, and Manisha Jashnani, each delivering show-stopping performances that breathe life into their characters. The show is all set to amp up the laughter quotient while navigating the complexities of relationships, love, and unwavering dedication. The series is set to premiere on August 23rd, 2023, exclusively on Hungama.

En Ethire Rendu Papa, is the story of a young couple on a romantic staycation in a unique bungalow. Things get hot and steamy but not in a way they had imagined. Interruptions and hurdles come in the form of a jilted fiancé and his scheming, a bunch of kidnappers, tonnes of misunderstandings and to top it all, a sexy ghost, who claims to have fallen in love with Jith, our main man.

'En Ethire Rendu Papa' offers an unmatched viewing experience that will leave the audience hooked. Get ready to unravel the layers of intrigue and embark on a thrilling ride into the unknown, where love, loyalty, and laughter collide in the most unexpected ways.

Speaking about the show, Siddhartha Roy, CEO, Hungama Digital Media said, “We received an overwhelming response with our first Tamil Original, Maaya Thotta, and are extremely proud to present our second show ‘En Ethire Rendu Papa’, which is a step further in tapping our audiences in the South Market. The show stands as a testament to this endeavour that seamlessly intertwines elements of suspense, intrigue, and humour. Through its compelling storytelling and characters, the series stands as a true embodiment of Hungama's unwavering dedication towards providing immersive entertainment that resonates deeply with our viewers.”

Sakshi Agarwal said, “Portraying Sonam in 'En Ethire Rendu Papa' has been an incredibly fulfilling journey. She's a young woman navigating the maze of love, loyalty, and the myriad emotions that accompany it. This series is a progressive step, offering viewers a fresh perspective on modern-day relationships. It's exciting to be part of a narrative that challenges norms and offers a unique outlook, especially through a platform like Hungama. I can't wait to see how the audience responds to this refreshing take on love and life."

Shariq Hassan said, “My character in the show possesses remarkable depth, creating a roller-coaster journey from the very first episode. In today's world, while appearances often take centre stage, particularly for men, my character is grappled with the challenge of proving his love for his lady. This show bravely navigates uncharted territories, portraying Indrajith's first sexual experience with an honesty that's both relatable and thought-provoking. Hungama has done a fabulous job in bringing such narratives to life, and I wholeheartedly encourage audiences to tune in and experience this bold yet engaging series."

Adding on, Manisha Jashnani said, “Bringing this supernatural character to life in 'En Ethire Rendu Papa' has been an exciting experience. Playing a ghost in love with a human and navigating the intricacies of that connection was both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Hungama has brilliantly crafted a narrative that delves into showcasing the lengths one can go for love. I am also eagerly anticipating the audience's reaction to this unique storyline and the impact it will undoubtedly leave."

About Hungama :
A part of Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., The Hungama app brings together a diverse set of offerings ranging from latest songs, blockbuster movies, binge-worthy original shows, hit music videos and popular podcasts all under one platform
The Platform enables users to get instant access to the biggest blockbusters from Hollywood, Bollywood and regional Indian languages, across genres. With its foray into original programming, Hungama is playing a key role in redefining digital content in India. Through Hungama Originals, the platform is creating shows that go beyond conventional storytelling and offer quality narratives to digital audiences.

Besides originals, Hungama Video library includes over 5000 films in English, Hindi, and regional languages, in addition to a vast catalogue of more than 1500 short films. The library is complemented with 7500+ hours of kids and television content in multiple languages, along with over 150,000 short-format videos across various genres like music, film gossip, humor, spiritual and more.
Hungama’s music library includes 3 Cr+ songs, music videos, and podcasts and entertains listeners in 20+ Indian and international languages. This is in addition to its bouquet of original content, online radio channels and curated playlists. For seamless in-car audio streaming, the app is integrated with Apple Car Play and Android Auto.

Hungama has created multiple customer touchpoints and is available on various platforms and ecosystems. This includes Hungama on Vi Movies and TV, Airtel Xstream Play App, Amazon Fire TV Stick, One Plus, Playbox TV, BSNL, ACT, D2H Magic, Tata Play Binge, TCL, Meghbela, Watcho, DishSMRT Stick, ISPs, Smart TVs, web and apps on Google Playstore, Apple Store and Huawei App Gallery. Hungama’s strategic association with Xiaomi also enables consumers to enjoy Hungama on Mi TV.

For more information, please visit www.hungama.org

Bollywood Hungama announces, ‘OTT India Fest & Awards 2023’, redefining the entertainment landscape.

July 15, 2023

National, xx July 2023: In a world where streaming platforms have revolutionised the way we consume entertainment, Bollywood Hungama, the ace entertainment, and lifestyle brand announces the highly anticipated 'OTT India Fest', in association with Cinema Waale Film and Television Productions LLP and Across Media Solutions, on the 18th & 19th of October 2023 at Taj Lands End, Mumbai.

This extraordinary event -- curated, directed and scripted by Cinema Waale and produced by Across Media Solutions -- will take audiences on an exhilarating journey through the captivating realm of India's thriving OTT entertainment space, delving into diverse aspects of this dynamic industry. A special segment will also be hosted to honour the talented artists from the thriving OTT entertainment industry. The awards night is going to put the spotlight on artists who have delivered remarkable performances and whose exceptional storytelling has captivated audiences.

The OTT entertainment industry has emerged as a powerful force by granting audiences the freedom to explore a vast array of diverse, original, and high-quality programming at their convenience. Embracing this new era of entertainment, Bollywood Hungama aims to bring together industry leaders, talent, directors, and enthusiasts from across India to discuss the latest trends, challenges, visions, and innovations in this ever-evolving landscape. The event will span two days and will be a melting pot of ideas, creativity, and insights, featuring a diverse range of activities such as panel discussions, fireside chats, masterclasses, and workshops followed by an awards ceremony.

Siddhartha Roy, CEO, Hungama Digital Media said, “The OTT India Fest & Awards is a celebration of the incredible impact OTT platforms have had on the entertainment landscape. We are thrilled to bring together the brightest minds and most influential voices in the industry to discuss and explore the future of content consumption. This OTT India fest will not only be a platform for learning but also act as a conversation starter into the groundbreaking work being done in the OTT space."

Adding on, Suleman Mobhani, Founder & Director, Bollywood Hungama, said, “We are incredibly excited to announce the OTT India Fest & Awards, an extraordinary concept that celebrates the boundless creativity and groundbreaking impact of the OTT space. This event reflects our commitment to continue pushing the boundaries, as we bring together industry visionaries, brilliant minds, and exceptional talent to explore the limitless possibilities of content consumption. We look forward to this thrilling journey that will ignite innovation and serve as a catalyst towards shaping the future of this medium.”

Prashant Singh, partner, Cinema Waale Film and TV Productions LLP., said, "At a time when there is a clear paradigm shift in the way Indian audiences are consuming new content thanks to the onset of OTT world, it will be very interesting and exciting to delve into various facets of what's driving and what's shaping up this new ecosystem. And what's better than hosting a never-seen-before event wherein the creative minds and various stakeholders (vis-a-vis OTT world) converge and engage in some riveting conversations and share their insights on different subjects. So, clearly, OTT India Fest is going to be an exciting and invigorating place to be."

“Today Across Media has become a go-to agency for media houses to help on-board sponsors. With Bollywood Hungama, the OTT India Fest is our second outing (BH Style Icons Awards being the first) and the partnership only keeps getting stronger with each passing day. Like at the BH Style Icons Awards, at the OTT India Fest too, the Media Agencies & Brands shall experience some rare ideas & disruptive integrations - ranging from content creation with our Celeb guests to Customer Engagement. Across Media is beyond thrilled to produce an event of this envious stature and lead its sponsorship program,” says Chetan Pratap, Co-founder & Director, Across Media Solutions.

Hungama presents its latest Hindi Original ‘Mauka Ya Dhokha’, a gripping murder-mystery series

June 30, 2023

~The show features popular actors from the entertainment industry such as Himanshu Malhotra, Aabhaas Mehta and Samikssha Batnagar~

National, xx June 2023: Hungama, India’s leading digital entertainment platform, has launched its latest suspense-thriller ‘Mauka Ya Dhokha’. The series features a stellar cast, including the talented Himanshu Malhotra, Aabhaas Mehta, and Samikssha Batnagar, who deliver power-packed performances that bring the characters to life. 'Mauka Ya Dhokha' is a gripping series that delves into the depths of desires, choices, and the consequences that follow.

'Mauka Ya Dhokha' explores the story of Amit, an ordinary man whose life takes a dramatic turn when he discovers the dark consequences of his ill-fated wish, catapulting him into a world of conspiracy and plotting a chilling murder. As Amit tries to unravel the truth, he is joined by the enigmatic Shalini, who transitions from being the aggressor to a victim of a perfectly crafted plan. With the mysterious private eye, Satyajit, pulling the strings, Amit must navigate a dangerous cat-and-mouse game to secure his freedom and unravel the truth behind this web of deceit.

Speaking about the show, Siddhartha Roy, CEO, Hungama Digital Media said, "Our vision at Hungama has always been to curate a diverse and captivating content library that caters to the ever-evolving tastes of our audience. 'Mauka Ya Dhokha' is an enthralling series that seamlessly blends suspense, mystery and thriller. With its gripping storyline and compelling characters, the series exemplifies Hungama's commitment to delivering cutting-edge and engaging entertainment to the audiences.”

Himanshu Malhotra said, “Mauka Ya Dhokha is a series that challenges conventional notions of trust, survival, and the price one pays for their wishes. Viewers will be on the edge of their seats as they join my character, Amit, on his journey to uncover the truth and confront the dark forces plotting against him. With its gripping narrative, suspenseful twists, and thought-provoking themes, I am thankful to Hungama for bringing to the viewers a series that promises to be a thrilling and immersive experience.”

Aabhaas Mehta said “My character in the show is multi-dimensional and undergoes a transformative journey throughout the series, which was a challenging and rewarding experience for me as an actor. I can't wait for the viewers to witness the twists and turns we have in store for them. Hungama has been a fantastic platform for delivering engaging and high-quality content, and I'm confident that 'Mauka Ya Dhokha' will be no exception. I am looking forward to the audiences to experience a rollercoaster of suspense and intrigue throughout the series.”

Adding on, Samikssha Batnagar said, "I am excited to be a part of 'Mauka Ya Dhokha' and bring my character to life in this thrilling series. The show delves into the depths of suspense and mystery, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. My character's journey in the story is both challenging and intriguing, and I had an incredible time portraying it. I hope the viewers will be in for an intense and gripping adventure and I look forward to their reactions as it is what fuels our passion to push boundaries in the world of acting and storytelling.”

About Hungama:
A part of Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., The Hungama app brings together a diverse set of offerings ranging from latest songs, blockbuster movies, binge-worthy original shows, hit music videos and popular podcasts all under one platform

The Platform enables users to get instant access to the biggest blockbusters from Hollywood, Bollywood and regional Indian languages, across genres. With its foray into original programming, Hungama is playing a key role in redefining digital content in India. Through Hungama Originals, the platform is creating shows that go beyond conventional storytelling and offer quality narratives to digital audiences.
Besides originals, Hungama Video library includes over 5000 films in English, Hindi and regional languages, in addition to a vast catalogue of more than 1500 short films. The library is complemented with 7500+ hours of kids and television content in multiple languages, along with over 150,000 short-format videos across various genres like music, film gossip, humour, spiritual and more.

The music library includes over 3 Cr+ songs and videos. Among the assorted features, Online Radio with live and on-demand channels has been created for the users. Furthermore, ensuring the users get every word right and sing their hearts out loud, dynamic lyrics are available at one’s fingertips. For seamless in-car audio streaming, the app is integrated with Apple Car Play and Android Auto.

Hungama has created multiple customer touchpoints and is available on various platforms and ecosystems. This includes Hungama on Vi Movies and TV, Airtel Xstream App, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Tata Sky Binge, DishSMRT Stick, ISPs, Smart TVs, web and apps on Google Playstore, Apple Store and Huawei App Gallery. Hungama’s strategic association with Xiaomi also enables consumers to enjoy Hungama on Mi TV.
For more information, please visit www.hungama.org

Bollywood Hungama sets its most stylish foot forward with its maiden edition of ‘Style Icons Awards’

March 16, 2023

Bollywood Hungama presents the maiden edition of ‘Style Icons Awards’ - one of the biggest glamour & fashion nights

Bollywood Hungama honours artistic excellence in its maiden edition of ‘Style Icons Awards’

~The awards night will witness Maniesh Paul and Sophie Choudry take the host’s mantle; Tamannaah Bhatia as the showstopper walking the fashion runway for Vikram Phadnis and Neeti Mohan’s stellar performance~

~The inaugural awards show will have a special theme of saluting and celebrating cancer winners, as the ‘red carpet’ turns into ‘pink carpet'~

National, xx March 2023: The ace entertainment and lifestyle brand, Bollywood Hungama has emerged as the foremost online destination for all things entertainment with its distinct style of content creation in the world of Bollywood, Television, Hollywood, Music, Lifestyle, and Celebrities. As Bollywood Hungama completes 25 years, it has geared up to kick-start a new journey with its maiden edition of ‘Bollywood Hungama Style Icons Awards’. Curated and directed by Cinema Waale Film and Television Productions LLP & produced by Across Media Solutions, the awards will celebrate not only the artistic excellence of celebrities and trendsetters but also honour achievers from diverse walks of life. The main sponsors for the awards are Macho Hint and powered by TVS and Looks. A dazzling celebration of glitz, glamour, and entertainment, the awards are all set to take place on 24th March 2023 at J W Marriott, Juhu in Mumbai.

The awards will witness a star-studded affair where style, glitz, and glamour will come alive. Stepping into the host’s shoes will be Maniesh Paul and Sophie Choudry who will floor the audiences with wit and allure. The esteemed panel of jurists boasts of a long-spanning heritage in the field of fashion, lifestyle, and entertainment. The names include Fashion designer Vikram Phadnis, actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra, actress Raveena Tandon, choreographer & director Farah Khan, fashion designers Falguni and Shane Peacock, actor, and model Milind Soman and fashion stylist Tanya Ghavri. The jury members will select the winners who will take home the awards from a wide range of categories beyond fashion and entertainment that also includes Television, Business, Fashion, OTT, Regional Cinema, and more.

Taking the fashion quotient a notch higher, renowned fashion designer Vikram Phadnis will host a specially curated fashion show that will captivate the audiences with his intricate designs and nuances. Tamannaah Bhatia adorned in his statement piece will be seen as the Showstopper of the fashion show. Neeti Mohan with her crackling energy and vocal prowess will ensure a power-packed performance for the audiences. In addition, the awards show will celebrate the grit and determination of innumerable cancer winners as they become the central theme of the event. To make things even special, the proverbial “red carpet" will undergo a makeover and turn into “pink carpet” to salute the spirit of cancer winners.

Suleman Mobhani, Founder & Director, Bollywood Hungama, said, “Bollywood Hungama has carved a niche for itself as a platform that is constantly vying for innovation and staying ahead of the curve in the category of lifestyle and entertainment. With Bollywood Hungama Style Icons Awards, the vision remains to continue strengthening our position as forerunners in the space of entertainment. We are thrilled to present to our audiences a platform that honours luminaries across categories who stand as an inspiration for many globally and simultaneously provide a source for entertainment for them.”

“Since time immemorial, fashion and style have been associated with the human race, in some way or the other. That’s why celebrating those luminaries who have been the leading lights in their particular fields always brings a lot of excitement and thrill. Over several years now, I personally have been a part of teams that have put together style awards in all their glory. But putting it all together every year and saluting inspirational ‘style icons’ is without fail, both exhilarating and rewarding in equal measure. I am delighted to partner with Bollywood Hungama and Across Media for the unstinted growth of this property,” says Prashant Singh, partner at Cinema Waale Film & Television Productions LLP.

The Show Producer, Across Media's co-founder Rohit Chaddha said, "Across Media, entrusted with the key responsibility of amassing sponsorships for the Style Icons Awards, has once again proved its mettle at the fine craft of raising funds for events. Like all our other offerings, at this show too, our sponsorship-solutions hinge on branded content creation for Sponsors. For the Bollywood Hungama Style Icons Awards, we have put together a sustained visibility campaign for Sponsors that kick-started much before the event day & has a long-tail of post-event visibility. Across Media is confident of all Sponsors going back smiling from this stylish association, and returning back to partner us year after year."

The awards show will be amplified on a global scale through Hungama’s large distribution reach on telcos and partners.

The sponsors for the awards are: Presenting Sponsor- Macho Hint, Powered by- TVS Raider & Looks Salon, Grooming Partner - Ikonic, Instant Pictures Partner - Fujifilm Instax, Stylish Jewellery Partner - Senco, Nutrition Partner - Power Gummies, Astrology Partner - Astroyogi, Wellness Partner - HCG, Travel Partner - Club Mahindra. TV Partner - Times Now, Outdoor Partner - Bright Outdoor, Radio Partner - Radio City and Hospitality Partner - JW Marriott.

Hungama strengthens its regional footprint, launches its first Tamil web series ‘Maaya Thotta’.

February 28, 2023

~The six-episode series will set the ball rolling for Hungama in Tamil with a tale of suspense and action.

National, xx February 2023: Hungama, India’s largest digital entertainment company announces the launch of ‘Maaya Thotta’, its first Tamil original. The show features popular stars of the Tamil entertainment industry Chaitra Reddy, Amit Bhargav and Kumaran Thangarajan. The series kicks off with the assassination of a Minister under mysterious circumstances amidst the presence of high security. The police investigation to unveil the truth behind the sinister murder, turns into a race against time.

Suspense, action, and drama woven together into one of the most nail-biting stories with an unpredictable ending, “Maaya Thotta” makes for the complete package. Directed by Nandhakumar Raju, the show is produced by Madhu Alexander & Prabhu Antony in association with Hungama.

Speaking about the show, Siddhartha Roy, CEO, of Hungama Digital Media said, “Our vision at Hungama has always been to create, innovate and deliver entertainment through our original library of content. With our first Tamil original series Maaya Thotta, we are making an entry into the Tamil regional market which is a step forward in the direction of expanding our footprint in the South. We strongly believe that our audiences will enjoy the series, the high impact performances of the actors and compelling storyline. We further intend to launch more shows that will appeal to the audiences in the regional demographics, especially the South and provide them with a complete package of entertainment”.

Director Nandhakumar Raju said, “Households, particularly in the South thrive on content that entails suspense and action and my aim was to offer them just that. Maaya Thotta is a story that will make the audiences wonder and engage in thought. It is a story that I hope will gain mounting interest from the audience and appreciation for its unique, different and riveting storyline. I am delighted to have the chance to direct Hungama's first original Tamil series and look forward to working with them on more projects in the future."

Model and actress Chaitra Reddy said, “I am thrilled to be a part of Hungama’s first Tamil original show. Maya Thotta is a perfect blend of suspense and action with a pinch of humour involved. Personally, playing the role of a police inspector was quite empowering and refreshing. I am sure the audience will be in for a complete rollercoaster of thoughts to determine the real culprit. I look forward to the audience's positive review of the show and hope it is a complete entertainer for them.”

Audiobook narrator and popular actor Amit Bhargav said, “Suspense and action are genres that are close to the heart of every Tamil household. Maya Thotta’s engaging and unique storyline will keep the audience wanting for more. Getting into the character's skin and navigating through every twist and turn of the story was exciting. I am glad to have shared screen space with Chitra and Kumaran and play a pivotal character in Hungama’s first Tamil original.”

Talented actor Kumaran Thangarajan said, “I play the role of a security detail with secrets of his own that will turn out to be one of the biggest plot twists in the show. I am sure the audience will never have seen it coming and the unpredictability at every step is exactly the USP of the show. Being Hungama’s first Tamil original and being able to be a part of it holds significance for me too. I hope that the series is well-received by the audience and is lauded for its exceptional storytelling.”

Hungama Play announces its latest anthology series – ‘Hasratein’, a takeaway for society to look at women’s desire with a lens of equality

November 30, 2022

~The upcoming anthology series will feature popular actors Monalisa, Adaa Khan, Krishna Mukherjee, Ravi Bhatia, Vin Rana, Shilpa Tulaskar, Sana Sayyad, Siddharth Sharma, Ayussh Anand, and Sahil Uppal~

National, xx November, 2022: Hungama Play, a leading OTT platform owned by Hungama Digital Media has launched its latest Hindi original anthology – ‘Hasratein’. The series feature eminent actors who will be seen playing pivotal roles that include the likes of Monalisa, Adaa Khan, Krishna Mukherjee, Ravi Bhatia, Vin Rana, Shilpa Tulaskar, Sana Sayyad, Siddharth Sharma, Ayussh Anand, and Sahil Uppal. Produced by Shakuntalam Telefilms and directed by Hemant Prabhu, Neelima Bajpai, and Anshuman Kishor Singh. Hasratein traces the stories of five women in different age groups who are on the quest of seeking equality in a patriarchal society and take action without being unapologetic of their desires.

While a man's desire is deemed as his right, a woman's expression of pleasure and her need for love is frequently looked down upon or criticized. The anthology showcases the stories of five small-town women who face all odds and challenges posed by society, to fulfil their desires whilst dealing with the unequal society norms.

Mr. Siddhartha Roy, CEO, Hungama Digital Media, said, “At Hungama, our aim has been to tell stories that will add a sense of meaning and value to lives of our audience. Hasratein pivots away from the usual construct of physical love that emphasises the importance of a man’s desires and addresses the subject from a woman’s perspective. We hope that each story leaves a lasting impression on the audience.”

Monalisa, known to essay an array of popular characters in Bhojpuri and Hindi TV shows said, “I play the character of a married woman named Purvi, who is a victim of abuse and craves the feeling of love but is deprived of it by her husband. She is a woman with dreams who has forgotten what love feels like but is determined to find her path to happiness and love. The story will strike a quotient of relatability with the audience and put a different spin to experiencing physical love.”

Adaa Khan, who has witnessed incredible popularity in the television scene said, “Hasratein first-hand deals with the raw and rapidly prevalent emotions that many women go through on a daily basis. These issues are always kept under wraps and women are constrained to suppress their desires. To be able to play a role so distinct from my previous characters I hesitated a lot at first but then putting my confidence in Shakuntalam and our Director I tried on this role. It was very challenging for me because I haven’t done this before but the Director helped by shooting all scenes aesthetically. We look forward to a positive response from our audience for this series.”

Krishna Mukherjee, who rose to fame with her breakthrough role in a leading Hindi TV show said, “Hasratein revolves around the lives of five women, each with a unique and unusual problem. The name of my episode is Izzat, which comes across as strikingly powerful and I play the role of Jyoti who is equally powerful and determined to experience physical love on her terms. The show is a mirror to the society and through each story comes with a learning and new perspective that will resonate with the audience.

Vin Rana, who is a popular face in the television industry said, “I believe I have reinvented myself in a different persona through this show and put forth a performance that will be entertaining for the audience. Every story provides an insightful view into deeper woven issues faced by women. The show caters to the local audience who are able to trace the relatability in the content. Humour and satire go hand-in-hand through the whirlwind of dramatic situations every character is posed with.”

Commenting on the same Ravi Bhatia, a talented actor said, “The characters that I have been essaying through the course of my acting career has always given me the ability to experiment. I am ecstatic to be a part of a show that addresses subjects on a broader horizon and gives actors a chance to expand their scope of skills and work. Each story is packed with an impactful message and will captivate the audience with its alluring storytelling.”

About Hungama Play:
A part of Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., Hungama Play is a leading video streaming platform in the country. Featuring an extensive library of long-form and short-form content, Hungama Play provides an enriching entertainment experience to all users.

With its foray into original programming, Hungama Play is also playing a key role in redefining digital content in India. Through Hungama Originals, the platform is creating shows that go beyond conventional storytelling and offer quality narratives to digital audiences.

Besides originals, Hungama Play’s library includes over 5000 films in English, Hindi and regional languages, in addition to a vast catalogue of more than 1500 short films. The library is complemented with 7500+ hours of kids and television content in multiple languages, along with over 150,000 short-format videos across various genres like music, film gossip, humour, spiritual and more.

Hungama Play has created multiple customer touchpoints and is available on various platforms and ecosystems. This includes telecom operators, ISPs, smart devices, media streaming devices, Smart TVs, web and apps on Google Playstore, Apple Store and Huawei AppGallery. Hungama’s strategic association with Xiaomi also enables consumers to enjoy Hungama Play on Mi TV.

For more information, please visit www.hungama.org

AVOD/ SVOD and the Future of OTT Advertising

November 24, 2022

Ever since its launch, the OTT ecosystem has been moving ahead on subscription revenues or following an SVOD monetisation policy, where the focus has been on onboarding a growing subscriber base. Though there have been OTT platforms that have veered towards an advertising-supported system or an AVOD monetisation policy, SVOD has been the prime system.

Now, OTT players are experimenting with different pricing policies and also introducing lower-priced packages with ads. Even hitherto SVOD platforms like Netflix are making a move to AVOD, not just in India, but globally as well.

The panel discussion on ‘AVOD/ SVOD And The Future of OTT Advertising’ focused on the monetization aspects of OTT platforms. The panel discussion was a part of Day 2 of the 4th edition of SCREENXX Summit & Awards 2022. Shekhar Banerjee, Chief Client Officer & West Head, Wavemaker India, was the Session Chair, while the panelists included:

Pooja Sahgal, Chief Marketing Officer, Park Avenue
Sanchita Roy, Head of Strategy, Havas Media Group India
Siddhartha Roy, Chief Executive Officer, Hungama
Rakesh CK, Head - SVOD & Business Strategy, Arha Media (aha)

Shekhar Banerjee started the discussions by noting that a lot of advertisers are confused. There are too many choices. India is a very large country. It is the only country where TV is still growing, roughly around 900 million TV consumers, within that smartphone users are between around 650-700 million, and 400-450 million social media users, then there is short form video which has exploded in recent times, roughly around 200 billion users, and then there are video platforms called OTT, then there is YouTube, and cost intensive, heavy duty who are working with OTT players, who are basically licensing or building their own original content, ranging between 50-120 million, depending on the platform and the market where they play.

“That’s the choice which is there for the consumers,” Banerjee said, adding, “At the same time for customers like marketers, ad agencies – I personally work with a lot of clients like Netflix, L’Oreal, Dream11, Vodafone Idea – and it is very interesting to see how they have a very distinct way of using these platforms – from almost full funnel, whether building reach, to bottom of the funnel, customer acquisition, everywhere.”

Giving an FMCG’s perspective, Pooja Sehgal noted that FMCG is a very old industry and the fundamentals of marketing have not changed much. “The key fundamental which we all learn is consumer centricism. All the media data that we have about where the consumer is spending time, what is they are really engaging with, and that great metrics that we have, which is ROI, keeps the consumer at the centre. Keeping the financial metrics as the goalpost, we work very closely with a lot of media agencies, partnering with them to get this rich consumer data, and really seeing across the funnel what are our key objectives. Very often you have to continuously build the brand,” she added.

Sehgal further said, “I am still a big believer in building top of the funnel. So, we use a lot of television, but now I think OTT has really added to it. Initially we were using it 4-5%, but now almost 20%, so we are adapting to the changing needs of the consumer and really seeing how they are evolving. Towards the end of the funnel, there was a belief that video did not really lead to conversions, but now we are seeing video aiding a lot of conversions, having that link to e-commerce. So, I think OTT is now helping us from top of the funnel to end of the funnel; it’s really a win-win for all of us. It is making our choices more complex and varied and making us more focused and meaningful.”

Sanchita Roy noted that what has really changed in the last two years is the way consumers are today consuming media. “During the lockdown we are put into a situation where there was no original content happening on TV. So, a lot of consumers turned to the OTT platforms to get their daily dose of entertainment. Today, we are seeing a drop in linear TV. Due to increased smartphone penetration and with subscription costs coming down, the adoption of OTT as a platform is only going up. And somewhere it complements whatever you are doing on TV, to actually build your top of the funnel metrics. Today we have around 40+ OTT players in the market, and it is only going to become increasingly bigger and better. With measurement coming in, it will be easy to track what the ROI is, what the deliverables are and therefore it is easy to plan,” she added.

Speaking about aha OTT platform, Rakesh CK said, “When we started our journey two years back, the niche that we defined for ourselves was to be in the space of regional, and we took cues from television. 50% of the television audience is consuming regional content. And now as we look at OTT, 35% of the consumption is also for regional language, outside of Hindi. So, there is a clear space that we saw in the regional space and down South with all the great things happening with movies – the movies going national and a lot of blockbusters coming out of South. It has just accelerated the growth that we saw in that space.”

Siddharth Roy said, “In my belief, it is going to be all about what are the kind of efficiencies that each of us on an independent manner or through an aggregated manner bring to the table. So, clearly consumer is king. They are going to get products and services which could come in an aggregated manner, or they may specifically choose. In our case, in music we are singularly independent with 65-75 million users, but when it comes to video, we used the bespoke because we saw the opportunity that you could be independent, but on a bespoke structure if you can get aggregated into super apps, you will generate usage. And you will generate consumption, and there will be a value proposition that the platform and the service will have. So, I believe its early days and you are going to see a lot more of this, with lot more experiences coming in. For brands, too, it is a great place to be in. Because India is truly getting into video, that, to me, is where brand engagement, stories, and all of that can be told.”

Get ready to rock at Shibani Kashyap’s maiden, all-access concert in the metaverse, a Hungama ArtistAloud initiative, powered by Heftyverse

November 18, 2022

~ Featuring the firebrand performer, the free-for-all concert will be hosted in the Metaverse powered by HeftyVerse on 1st July at 6 pm ~

National, 01st July 2022: Hungama has a surprise for all music lovers! Attending concerts got a whole lot cooler as the Hungama ArtistAloud and HeftyVerse, a Hungama Digital Media initiative, are teaming up to present their very first metaverse event. The Shibani Kashyap Metaverse Concert, an initiative by Hungama ArtistAloud, will see Shibani in her maiden metaverse concert, set the stage on fire in the Metaverse powered by HeftyVerse at 6pm on 1st July. That’s not all, as fans will get to experience this high-octane concert from the comfort and convenience of their homes, absolutely for free.

The concert will feature Shibani Kashyap, popularly known as the ‘Jingle Queen’, belt out her popular hits such as Sajna Aa Bhi Ja, Zinda Hu Mai, Nazakat Hai along with recent chartbusters like Wanna Be Free, Chaandni Raatein, Ye Kaise Bheed Hai amongst others. Over the fantastic stage created by HeftyVerse, Shibani’s digital avatar will interact with the avatars of the audience, just like an actual concert. Grooving to the chart-topping numbers as Shibani performs, the audience will get the rare chance to be in close proximity with her.

Sharing her excitement to perform on the metaverse for the first time, Shibani Kashyap said, “Metaverse holds the key to the future of entertainment. From being the first artist on Hungama ArtistAloud, to now being a part of their first concert in the Metaverse, I feel truly blessed to be associated with the ever-evolving Hungama Digital. As an artist, I’m always looking forward to performing in new ways, and with this concert of such a grand scale, I’m thrilled to see how the virtual avatars will groove to the beat. It’s an unmissable evening and I hope that my fans and music lovers all across the world shower their love on us.”

Watch the powerhouse of talent live at the Shibani Kashyap Metaverse Concert.

Register now on live.heftyverse.xyz