Brands
Policybazaar launches ‘Ashray’, a heartfelt film on power of health insurance
MUMBAI: Policybazaar, one of India’s leading insurance platforms, has unveiled an emotional short brand film titled ‘Ashray’, inspired by the true story of a young boy whose family’s resilience and timely health insurance cover became their greatest source of hope in a time of crisis.
The film recounts the story of little Ashray, who suffered a life-altering accident while playing with colours on Holi. His father, Sunny Bhatia, faced every parent’s worst nightmare: a sudden medical emergency that demanded prolonged treatment and mounting expenses running into lakhs of rupees. As bills piled up and the family struggled to cope, their health insurance policy emerged as a lifeline, covering critical medical costs when they needed it most.
Ashray’s journey is one among many that reflect why health insurance is not a luxury but a necessity for every Indian household. The film serves as a poignant reminder of how unpredictable life can be and how being prepared can mean the difference between despair and hope.
Even after seven years, Ashray continues to receive world-class neuro-rehabilitation care, a journey made possible through the family’s health cover. Through ‘Ashray’, Policybazaar underscores its commitment to making health insurance accessible, affordable, and easily understood by every Indian family, ensuring that no one has to compromise on quality healthcare for their loved ones.
Speaking about the film, Sunny Bhatia, Ashray’s father, said, “I wanted to share Ashray’s story so that more families understand how crucial health insurance is. Life can change in an instant, and the right health insurance can make all the difference. Policybazaar has given me the platform to share our journey, and I hope more and more people see this and start taking health insurance seriously. No family should have to face such a crisis unprepared.”
Policybazaar head – brand marketing Samir Sethi added, “At Policybazaar, we’ve always believed that the true impact of insurance lies in the lives it transforms. Ashray’s story is a powerful reminder that health insurance is more than a policy, it’s a shield that protects families from life’s most unpredictable challenges. Through this film, we want people to see the human side of insurance, the comfort it brings, the security it ensures, and the hope it sustains.”
Policybazaar continues to work towards simplifying health insurance for millions of Indians, helping them choose the right policy, offering seamless claims assistance, and supporting families during medical emergencies. The brand remains committed to raising awareness around financial preparedness in healthcare, urging people to act today so that they are never caught unprepared in times of crisis.
The ‘Ashray’ brand film is streaming across Policybazaar’s digital platforms and social media channels. Viewers are encouraged to watch and share the story to spread awareness about the importance of health insurance in safeguarding families against medical uncertainties.
Brands
Abhinav Rastogi named global marketing director for YouTube Shopping
Google veteran to scale creator commerce and expand shopping across global markets
SINGAPORE: Abhinav Rastogi has stepped into a new role as global marketing director for YouTube Shopping, marking the latest chapter in a more than decade-long career at Google.
Rastogi, who took on the position in February and is based in Singapore, will lead global marketing for YouTube Shopping, a platform designed to connect creators, viewers and merchants in a single ecosystem. His remit includes expanding the service into new markets and strengthening its positioning as a growth channel for both creators and brands.
In a reflective note on the transition, Rastogi pointed to a simple but powerful idea driving the role. For years, creators have quietly built trust with audiences through consistent and authentic content, and that trust often shapes purchasing decisions. What is changing now, he said, is the infrastructure around that behaviour. YouTube Shopping aims to make it easier for viewers to discover and buy products recommended by creators they already follow.
The scale is already significant. More than half a million creators have joined the programme, with recent expansion into Japan through a partnership with Rakuten signalling further global ambitions.
Rastogi believes the future of shopping on YouTube will be driven by a blend of creators, content and communities. In his view, it is the human voice behind the screen, not just the product, that ultimately builds trust and drives discovery.
Prior to this role, he served as director of marketing, YouTube Asia Pacific, where he led regional marketing across creator engagement, brand building and reputation. During that time, he played a key role in launching and scaling YouTube Shopping across eight markets in the region.
Earlier stints at Google include group product marketing manager, consumer apps, overseeing growth for products such as Search, Maps and Assistant across India and Southeast Asia, and product marketing manager roles spanning consumer apps and YouTube, where he contributed to launches including YouTube Music, YouTube Originals and YouTube Shorts.
Rastogi began his career in consulting with Boston Consulting Group and A.T. Kearney, before moving into the technology sector. He is an alumnus of Indian Institute of Management Calcutta and Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur.
Alongside his corporate role, he is also an active angel investor, backing early-stage startups in consumer technology and electric mobility across India and Southeast Asia.
As he settles into the new role, Rastogi is betting on a future where every video can double up as a storefront, and where commerce feels less like a transaction and more like a recommendation from a trusted voice.
