MAM
AI, aye Captain, Shekhar Kapur to steer Studio Blo’s ethical vision
MUMBAI: In a plot twist worthy of his own films, Shekhar Kapur has boarded the AI express, this time not behind the camera, but at the helm of innovation. The celebrated director has been named chairperson of the Board of AI Ethics & Creative Stewardship at Studio Blo, a move that fuses reel-life mastery with real-time tech.
Studio Blo, the next-gen content studio making waves with AI-powered filmmaking, is counting on Kapur to lead the charge as it navigates the tricky intersection of creativity, culture, ethics, and artificial intelligence.
Commenting on his appointment, Shekhar Kapur said, “AI is not here to replicate the past it’s here to create entirely new forms of cinematic expression. I believe AI films will soon stand as a genre of their own, unbound by traditional definitions of cinema. Studio Blo is doing some of the most cutting-edge work I’ve seen globally, and I’m excited to shape a future where imagination is limitless, and technology is the brush.”
And if anyone can lend gravitas to that future, it’s the man behind Elizabeth, Bandit Queen, and Mr. India. With a Padma Bhushan, a BAFTA, and a shelf full of national and international accolades, Kapur brings not just credibility but a cinematic sensibility that’s both visionary and deeply human.
Studio Blo, meanwhile, isn’t just dabbling in AI, it’s diving in head-first. With collaborators ranging from Warner Music and YRF Films to Dentsu and Nykaa, the studio is rewriting the rules of filmmaking, blending old-school craft with cutting-edge AI workflows.
Studio Blo co-founder and CEO Dipankar Mukherjee said, “Shekhar Kapur’s association with Studio Blo is both an honour and a powerful validation of our vision to disrupt content production and filmmaking through AI. His mentorship will not only guide our global expansion but will also help us invent a bold new grammar of storytelling, one where AI becomes a co-creator of cinematic experiences rather than just a tool.”
With Kapur now in the director’s chair of ethics and imagination, Studio Blo’s script just got a lot more exciting and perhaps even Oscar-worthy.
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.
