Digital
RuPay enters strategic year-long partnership with BookMyShow
MUMBAI: BookMyShow, one of India’s leading entertainment destinations and its parent company Bigtree Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. have entered into a strategic, year-long partnership with RuPay, a global card payment network from National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). The collaboration spans both digital and on-ground channels, bringing a unified entertainment and payment experience to millions of consumers across India. As the live entertainment ecosystem continues to flourish, this partnership aims to strengthen the intersection of entertainment, access and seamless payment experiences for scores of young, digitally savvy consumers seeking leisure offerings made affordable and seamless.
Through this alliance, RuPay card holders will enjoy special access to some of the most anticipated properties from the house of BookMyShow – Sunburn 2025, Lollapalooza India 2026, Bandland 2026 as well as a curated calendar of live event concerts featuring top Indian and international artists. These benefits include early pre-sale access, exclusive ticketing zones, curated food and beverage offerings, merchandise perks, fast-lane entry for top-ups and access to dedicated lounge areas at select venues. RuPay will also activate experiential spaces on-ground designed to elevate brand-consumer engagement in memorable, high-impact ways.
Digitally, BookMyShow will integrate RuPay across key touchpoints including its homepage and post-transaction journey, directing users to discover exclusive RuPay-led benefits and access. This partnership not only unlocks tangible perks for users but also showcases how modern financial services can embed themselves within high-interest cultural moments through immersive offerings, deepening relevance among next-gen consumers looking for not only enriching experiences but also an ease in accessing and paying for them.
NPCI spokesperson said, “Entertainment and cultural experiences are a growing area of interest, especially for younger, digital-first users. We are building deeper engagement with our users by connecting with what resonates to them. Through this partnership, we aim to offer meaningful value combining access, ease, and exclusive benefits to position RuPay not just as a payment option, but as an enabler to rewarding and relevant experiences.”
A BookMyShow spokesperson commented on the partnership stating, “Live entertainment in India is undergoing a remarkable transformation as audiences increasingly seek experiences that are not only entertaining but also personalised, immersive and value-driven. At BookMyShow, we remain committed to innovating at the intersection of technology, culture and consumer expectations to meet this evolving demand for our partner brands. Our partnership with RuPay marks a significant step in re-imagining access and engagement for today’s culture-forward consumer ensuring that the joy of entertainment goes beyond mere attendance to becoming something truly experiential, memorable and valued.”
Digital
Maharashtra partners OpenAI, Sarvam AI to boost state’s tech ecosystem
State to set up dedicated AI department and roll out frontier technology policies
MUMBAI: Maharashtra is set to become a primary hub for artificial intelligence following the 2026–27 Budget announcement. chief minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed that the state has signed letters of intent with global giant OpenAI and national pioneer Sarvam AI to integrate advanced technology into the state’s economic and administrative framework.
The collaboration with OpenAI and Sarvam AI marks a shift towards adopting cutting-edge generative tools for governance. These partnerships, alongside MoUs with IIT Bombay and BharatGen, are designed to create a robust ecosystem for research and innovation. The move signals the state’s intent to bring together global technology leaders and domestic research institutions to accelerate the development and adoption of artificial intelligence across sectors.
Regarding the strategic intent of these alliances, chief minister Fadnavis stated, “With the objective of making the State’s Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence sector dynamic, letters of intent have been signed with globally and nationally reputed institutions like OpenAI and Sarvam AI to facilitate the Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence sector in the state.”
To manage these high-level partnerships and ensure effective implementation, the government is establishing an independent department of electronics, Information technology, and artificial intelligence. The new department will function with a dedicated commissionerate and specialised technical manpower, enabling faster decision-making, improved coordination, and stronger accountability in executing technology-driven initiatives.
The state also plans to introduce special policies aimed at strengthening its position in emerging technology sectors. These policies will focus on advancing Maharashtra as a global hub for frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, drones, autonomous vehicles, and deep technology.
According to the chief minister, “The state government plans to introduce special policies to develop Maharashtra as a world-class hub for frontier technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, quantum computing, drones, autonomous vehicles and deep technology.”
Artificial intelligence is already being integrated into the state’s governance framework. A collaboration with Microsoft has led to the development of MahaCrimeOS AI, a platform that has reportedly reduced police investigation times by 80 per cent across 23 police stations in Nagpur. The initiative demonstrates how AI-driven tools can significantly enhance law enforcement efficiency and data analysis capabilities.
The government is also working toward building a fully digitised administrative ecosystem. Plans are underway to achieve complete digitisation of land transactions and implement electronic office systems across departments, paving the way for a paperless government. In addition, a pilot project will introduce AI-powered solutions in 75 selected villages to improve infrastructure, governance efficiency, and overall quality of life in rural areas.
To strengthen digital infrastructure and data protection, the state also intends to establish an advanced data centre in Nagpur. This facility will be designed to safeguard sensitive and sovereign information while supporting large-scale digital services and government platforms.
These initiatives form part of Maharashtra’s broader cyber security and digital transformation strategy aligned with the Viksit Maharashtra 2047 vision. By partnering with global and domestic technology leaders such as OpenAI and Sarvam AI, the state aims to build a secure, future-ready digital ecosystem that enhances citizen services, supports innovation, and strengthens India’s position in emerging technologies.
