MAM
Epic Without Screens Pocket FM Brings Kalki to Life in Audio Form
MUMBAI: When epics travel without pictures, the imagination does the heavy lifting. Pocket FM has announced The Kalki Trilogy as its first major IP launch of 2026, turning The Kalki Trilogy by Kevin Missal into a large-scale Hindi audio series. The adaptation marks another step in Pocket FM’s IP-led strategy, following acclaimed audio expansions such as Shaktimaan Returns and the recently announced audio extension of the Baahubali universe.
Rooted in Indian mythology but framed for a digital-first audience, The Kalki Trilogy reimagines the prophecy of Kalki, the final Avatar of Vishnu, against the bleak, war-scarred land of Illavarti. The story unfolds across 60 Hindi audio episodes, charting the rise of Kalki in a world ruled by the tyrannical Kali, where moral decay, destiny and choice collide in a slow-burn march towards an inevitable reckoning.
Rather than a straight retelling, the audio series expands the original novels through deeper character arcs, unseen conflicts and emotional subplots, while preserving the mythological weight of Missal’s writing. Cinematic sound design, layered background scores and performance-led voice acting are designed to place listeners inside the story, reinforcing Pocket FM’s belief that scale and spectacle are no longer exclusive to screens.
Speaking about the launch, Pocket FM, SVP and head of brand marketing and partnerships Vineet Singh said the platform is building a long-term entertainment ecosystem where iconic stories evolve across formats. He noted that after expanding universes like Shaktimaan and Baahubali, adapting Missal’s mythological world was a natural next step, with audio uniquely suited to unlocking the atmosphere and moral complexity of Illavarti for a global audience.
Author Kevin Missal said hearing his fictional universe take shape in audio was a surreal experience, adding that the format brings both the enormity of war and the inner conflict of Kalki into sharper, more intimate focus. He described Pocket FM’s approach as respectful to the source material while giving it a fresh, immersive dimension.
Over the years, Pocket FM has positioned itself as a destination for premium, long-form audio storytelling, using adaptations and original IP to drive deep engagement and repeat listening. With The Kalki Trilogy, the platform further strengthens its push into mythological and fantasy narratives, making a clear case that epic worlds can feel just as vast without a single frame on screen.
The Kalki Trilogy will launch soon, exclusively on Pocket FM in Hindi.
MAM
Beacon Group appoints Dr Rajesh Patel as Group CEO
36-year healthcare veteran to lead Beacon Diagnostics, Vector Biotek, Biogeny.
MUMBAI: A new chief, a fresh diagnosis and a sharper prescription for growth. Beacon Group has appointed Dr Rajesh Patel as its Group Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1, 2026, signalling a decisive push to scale its presence in the diagnostics and IVD space. Patel steps into the role with 36 years of experience across the healthcare and diagnostics industry, bringing a career shaped by leadership roles spanning sales, marketing, business development and operational strategy. His mandate is both expansive and precise: to steer the group’s overall strategic direction while tightening coordination across its three core entities Beacon Diagnostics, Vector Biotek and Biogeny Diagnostics.
In practical terms, that means driving cross-company synergies, accelerating market expansion and strengthening organisational capability areas increasingly critical as diagnostic players compete for scale in a fragmented yet rapidly evolving healthcare ecosystem. The group is positioning itself to capture unmet demand across chain laboratories, key accounts and standalone labs, segments that remain underserved despite growing diagnostic needs.
The appointment comes at a time when the In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) sector in India is entering a more competitive and innovation-led phase, with companies focusing not just on product pipelines but also on service delivery, integration and customer-centric models. Beacon’s leadership appears to be betting that Patel’s execution-focused approach can help translate ambition into operational momentum.
Welcoming the appointment, Chairman Dr D K Joshi described Patel’s induction as a strategic move aligned with the group’s long-term vision, emphasising the role of leadership depth in navigating the next phase of growth.
For Beacon Group, the message is clear, in a sector where precision matters, leadership is the new differentiator—and this appointment is intended to set the tone for what comes next.
