MAM
Bharat Dabholkar gets ready for new innings
NEW DELHI: Bharat Dabholkar, managing director of Publicis India, is on verge of releasing his maiden directorial venture in the movie industry, a two-hour English movie – God Only Knows.
The movie has been produced by Mumbai-based production company Why Not Productions (WNP) and is expected to get released in December.
“This is my first directorial effort and first movie produced by Why Not Productions. The movie is about a politician, who through his cunning ways, creates chaos in heaven. Ultimately, it leads to destruction of entire universe,” says Dabholkar.
Describing it as a project full of humour, Dahbolkar says though the climax of the movie is set in heaven, it has got links from daily life as well. “The entire movie is based on this politician, who is chosen by Narad Muni to interact with gods. It has interesting anecdotes, for instance, this politician forms opposition party in heaven,” adds Dahbolkar.
Besides releasing it in local market, WNP is also targeting foreign markets and is in the process of tying up with distribution companies or professionals to reach out to wider audience.
WNP, which has been co-founded by Dabholkar and Annanya Dutt, is not only planning to produce movies but it also intends to get into television programming, music videos and advertising films.
“We had earlier produced a music video based on Prime Minister’s poems, which has been on air on Doordarshan. We soon would be getting into other projects,” says Dabholkar, who also mentioned there is no hierarchy as such in WNP.
The movie God Only Knows has got more than 15 special effects, executed by post production house FX Factory. Apart from Dabholkhar, WNP’s Dutt is involved as an actress, co-director and executive producer.
Dutt has performed a crucial dance sequence ‘Tandav Nritya’ towards the end of the movie, which has also got some exciting special effects. More than 30 members from the FX Factory have worked on this project.
Apart from Dutt, other actors in the movie include Anjan Srivastav, Dileep Prabhawalkar and Sharbani Mukherjee
Brands
Budweiser 0.0 partners five IPL franchises to boost fan engagement
Fan-first campaign brings city pride, merch and match-day culture into focus
NEW DELHI: Budweiser 0.0 has announced its debut partnership with five franchises in the Indian Premier League, marking a significant step in its growing play in India’s cricket ecosystem.
The brand has teamed up with Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals for the ongoing season, aiming to connect with fans across key cricketing cities.
The collaboration signals the brand’s shift from national-level associations to more localised, city-driven engagement. It builds on Budweiser 0.0’s “In the Hands of Fans” platform, which focuses on celebrating the passion, rituals and identity that supporters bring to the game.
As part of the partnership, the brand will roll out limited-edition merchandise inspired by each of the five teams, giving fans a tangible way to showcase their loyalties. The initiative is designed to tap into match-day culture and extend fan engagement beyond the stadium and screen.
Commenting on the move, AB InBev vice president marketing & trade marketing Vineet Sharma said, “Cricket is one of India’s most powerful cultural connectors, and our debut partnership with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 reaffirmed the depth of fan passion behind it. At Budweiser 0.0, we see ourselves at the forefront of culture, acting as trendsetters for evolving fan expression, shaping how young India engages with sport, and setting the tone for how it shows up today. Entering the country’s biggest T20 cricket league, a platform widely loved by Indians, is a deliberate step in this journey, taking the brand from national fandom to the heart of city fandom. Through our partnerships with these five iconic teams, we will celebrate the pride, traditions and energy that define Indian cricket fandom, while creating experiences that keep fans at the heart of the game.”
The move also builds on the brand’s earlier association with global cricket events, as it looks to deepen its presence in India through culturally relevant storytelling and fan-led experiences.
As the IPL season unfolds, Budweiser 0.0 is betting on city pride and fan passion to drive its next innings, turning spectators into participants in the ever-evolving world of cricket fandom.
