MAM
Bharat Matrimony bets on AI to align stars
MUMBAI: When tradition meets technology, even the stars take note. Bharat Matrimony has partnered with AI startup Ask My Guru (AMG), investing 500,000 dollars to bring centuries-old Vedic astrology into the digital matchmaking era. The move follows AMG’s 1.2 million dollar seed round, taking total funding to 1.72 million dollars, aimed at accelerating AI-driven astrological compatibility for modern users.
Astrology continues to shape over 80 per cent of Indian marriages, and this partnership bridges cultural wisdom with AI precision. Ask My Guru’s platform makes horoscopes instantly accessible while adding deeper, nuanced insights to compatibility analysis, blending faith, tradition, and technology seamlessly.
“Marriage is not only about bringing two people together but ensuring harmony between them. Astrology has always played a vital role in this process. With Ask My Guru’s AI-powered astrology, we combine tradition with cutting-edge technology for the benefit of millions,” said Matrimony.com Group founder & CEO Murugavel Janakiraman.
AMG’s founders, Krishna Mohan Vedula and Vivek Sadamate, bring over a decade of experience in scaling consumer platforms. “Bharat Matrimony’s trust in our vision will elevate AI-driven astrology from a niche tool into a mainstream, culturally anchored solution,” Vedula said. “Users will now enjoy real-time compatibility assessments, personalised astrological guidance, and multi-dimensional life insights, making AI astrology a transformative part of matchmaking.”
Launched in June 2025, Ask My Guru has already recorded 5 million chats and 400,000 registered users. With Bharat Matrimony’s backing, AI astrology will now be integrated into the matchmaking experience, expanding language support and predictive precision, and positioning AMG as a leader in AI-enabled Vedic guidance.
This strategic partnership underscores Matrimony.com’s vision to future-proof India’s most cherished tradition, ensuring that even in a digital age, the stars continue to guide the journey to “happily ever after.”
Brands
ZEEL transfers syndication business, invests Rs 505 crore in IP push
Restructuring, stake buy and FCCB moves signal sharper content strategy
MUMBAI: In the content economy, owning the story is half the battle monetising it is the real game, and Zee Entertainment Enterprises is doubling down on both. The company has approved the transfer of its syndication and content licensing business to its wholly owned subsidiary ZI-IPR Enterprises, alongside an investment of Rs 505 crore aimed at strengthening its play in content intellectual property (IP) acquisition, management and monetisation. The move, effective April 1, 2026, will see the business transferred on a slump sale basis at book value, including all associated assets, liabilities and commercial rights effectively consolidating IP operations under a more focused structure.
At its core, the restructuring signals a strategic shift. As content consumption increasingly fragments across digital and global platforms, the value of IP lies not just in creation but in how efficiently it can be distributed, repackaged and monetised across markets. By housing its syndication engine within ZI-IPR Enterprises, ZEEL appears to be building a more agile and scalable ecosystem, one that can better extract value from its vast content library while adapting to evolving distribution models.
But the company’s ambitions are not limited to restructuring. ZEEL has also approved an investment of up to Rs 20.09 crore in Culture of Real Experiences (CORE), acquiring a 51 per cent stake in the entity. The move expands its footprint into the broader creative and experiential space, suggesting a push beyond traditional broadcasting into areas where content, culture and immersive experiences intersect.
At the same time, ZEEL has moved to tidy up its financials, approving the redemption of $23.9 million in outstanding foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCBs) and cancelling an unused $215.1 million commitment. The twin steps are expected to ease pressure on its treasury, freeing up capital and improving financial flexibility as the company invests more aggressively in its IP strategy.
Taken together, the decisions reflect a company in recalibration mode streamlining legacy structures, sharpening its focus on content ownership, and exploring new avenues for growth. In a market where the lines between television, streaming and experiential entertainment are increasingly blurred, ZEEL’s latest moves suggest it is not just creating content, but building a system to make that content travel further and pay better.
