Brands
Vi & Birla Studios unveil digital acting talent hunt Reel Se Real Star
Reel Se Real Star aims to democratise entry into India’s film industry
MUMBAI: Vodafone Idea Limited and Birla Studios have partnered to launch Reel Se Real Star, a mobile-first acting discovery platform aimed at opening up India’s entertainment industry to a wider pool of aspiring talent.
Designed as a fully digital initiative, the platform allows participants from across the country to upload audition videos through an app or website, removing the need for industry connections or physical auditions. The goal is to make talent discovery more accessible, regardless of geography or background.
Speaking about the vision behind the initiative, Birla Studios founder and chairperson Ananya Birla said, “Talent does not always get the opportunity it deserves, and that gap has kept far too many aspirants out of the spotlight. With the reach of digital infrastructure today and Vodafone Idea’s strong national footprint, we have the ability to create access at scale. ‘Reel Se Real Star’ is our attempt to build a platform where anyone, from anywhere, can be discovered.”
The programme blends mass participation with industry mentorship, with entries set to be evaluated by established directors and creative professionals. This structure aims to ensure both credibility and quality, while giving participants a clearer pathway into mainstream entertainment.
For Vodafone Idea Limited, the initiative also highlights the role of connectivity in enabling opportunity. “Connectivity is most meaningful when it creates opportunity,” said Vodafone Idea Limited chief executive officer Abhijit Kishore. “By bringing the audition room into the hands of aspiring actors nationwide, we are ensuring that potential is not limited by geography.”
The platform will leverage Vodafone Idea’s digital reach of over 200 million users, alongside Birla Studios’ creative direction, to build what the partners describe as a more inclusive and diverse talent pipeline for the industry.
Winners of the programme will receive a breakthrough opportunity to act in a feature film alongside an established director, offering a tangible entry point into cinema. The initiative is expected to go live on the Vi app in the coming months, with early registrations currently open.
As the lines between content creation and discovery continue to blur, ‘Reel Se Real Star’ positions itself as a timely bet on India’s next wave of talent, where the next big star could well be just a smartphone upload away.
Brands
Ravikant Sabnavis steps down as CEO of Arha Media after three years
Exit marks end of stint leading regional OTT platform ARHA’s turnaround
MUMBAI: Ravikant Sabnavis has stepped down as chief executive officer of Arha Media & Broadcasting, drawing the curtain on a three-year stint during which he led the regional OTT platform Aha through a key phase of transformation.
Sabnavis, who joined Arha Media in February 2023, is credited with steering a financial turnaround at Aha, a platform focused on Telugu and Tamil content. His tenure saw efforts to stabilise operations and sharpen the platform’s positioning in an increasingly competitive streaming market.
His exit also signals a pause, and perhaps a pivot, in a long career spanning media, marketing and business transformation. Alongside his corporate roles, Sabnavis has been actively mentoring startups and entrepreneurs, working closely with early-stage ventures as part of networks such as TiE Mumbai and the Confederation of Indian Industry.
Before Arha Media, he served as CEO of Innovative Oral Care, where he built a direct-to-consumer oral care business leveraging clinical expertise. Earlier, at Star TV, he led regional channel Star Pravah, driving a turnaround that pushed it to a leading position in its category.
His career also includes a stint as managing director at Blitz Multimedia Pvt Ltd, where he worked on repositioning legacy media brands and unlocking new revenue streams.
While Sabnavis has not publicly outlined his next move, his continued involvement in mentoring and investing suggests he may stay close to the startup ecosystem.
For Arha Media, the leadership change comes at a time when regional OTT platforms are recalibrating for scale and sustainability. Sabnavis leaves behind a platform that is steadier than when he arrived, even as the next chapter for both the company and the executive begins to take shape.
