Brands
Spotify turns up the volume on I-Pop icons live
MUMBAI: Pop goes India, and Spotify just gave it a stage to match. On November 7, Mumbai pulsed to the beat of Spotify I-Pop Icons Live, the streaming giant’s first-ever live celebration of India’s thriving pop scene. Featuring electric performances by King, Armaan Malik, Jonita Gandhi, Aditya Rikhari, Kushagra, Hansika Pareek and Sanju Rathod, the night marked a defining moment for I-Pop’s growing cultural footprint.
I-Pop, short for Indian Pop, has rapidly become one of Spotify’s most streamed genres, spanning languages, moods and borders. Aditya Rikhari’s “Sahiba” currently rules the Spotify weekly top songs India chart, while twelve of the top twenty tracks are I-Pop hits, proof that the genre has officially gone mainstream.
Since launching I-Pop Icons in 2024, Spotify has seen over 4 lakh followers tune in, with companion playlists like I-Pop rising, I-Pop chill and I-Pop Party creating a full-fledged sonic universe for fans.
“Over the last few years, we’ve seen the consumption of I-Pop increase significantly,” said Spotify India head of music and podcast Dhruvank Vaidya. “With I-Pop Icons Live, we’re not just curating playlists, we’re building a movement that connects artists and their biggest fans.”
The artists lighting up the stage are already household names. King’s Maan Meri Jaan was Spotify India’s most-streamed song of 2023; Armaan Malik, with over 23 million followers, continues to bridge global and Indian pop; while Jonita Gandhi and Aditya Rikhari are defining the new sound of urban India. Rising stars like Hansika Pareek, Kushagra and Sanju Rathod added fresh flavour, with Marathi pop’s breakout anthem Gulabi Sadi creating history as the first in its language to cross 100 million streams.
As the lights dimmed and the beats lingered, one thing was clear, I-Pop isn’t just India’s next big sound. It’s already here, loud, proud and streaming on repeat.
Brands
Raj Cooling Systems launches Agreyas appliances brand
Emraan Hashmi named brand ambassador for consumer appliance push.
MUMBAI: A company known for cooling solutions is now heating up its ambitions in the home appliances market. Raj Cooling Systems Pvt. Ltd. has launched a new consumer appliances brand, Agreyas, marking its entry into India’s rapidly expanding home appliances sector valued at more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore. The move represents a strategic diversification for the company, which has traditionally focused on cooling solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Through Agreyas, the firm plans to tap into growing consumer demand for energy efficient and technology driven household appliances.
To build brand visibility, Agreyas has appointed Emraan Hashmi as its brand ambassador. The campaign has been developed under the banner of Zoommantra Productions, with actor and filmmaker Rohit Roy contributing to the creative direction.
The brand’s initial portfolio will include mid premium air conditioners, washing machines, geysers and other white goods designed to cater to modern Indian households seeking efficient and reliable appliances.
Raj Cooling Systems, founder and chairman Kalpesh Ramoliya said the launch aligns with the company’s broader expansion plans.
“The launch of Agreyas is in line with our vision to build a strong presence in India’s consumer electronics and home appliances market. The brand has been developed as a standalone identity to meet the evolving needs of Indian consumers,” he said.
Hashmi said the collaboration comes at a time when Indian buyers are increasingly looking for innovative and functional home solutions.
“I’m looking forward to working with Agreyas at a time when consumers are seeking more innovative and efficient home products. The brand reflects changing consumer behaviour around functionality, innovation and ease of use,” he said.
Raj Cooling Systems plans to invest around 10 million dollars in developing the brand, with an additional 5 million dollars earmarked over the next three to five years for product development and distribution expansion.
Agreyas will follow a multi channel distribution approach, selling through online platforms, retail outlets and dealer networks aimed at both urban and semi urban markets across India.
With the launch, the company is positioning Agreyas as a standalone consumer facing brand while continuing to leverage its existing manufacturing, engineering and research capabilities built through its core cooling solutions business.
