MAM
Four must-listen horror stories of 2025 you shouldn’t miss
NEW DELHI: As 2025 wound down, India’s horror faithful knew exactly where their fear came from. In a year crowded with noise, celebrity storyteller Sudhanshu Rai cut through with voice-led terror that crept under the skin and stayed there. His audio stories did not rely on cheap shocks. They worked slowly, deliberately, turning everyday curiosity into something far more dangerous.
Leading the year was Darwaza Mat Khola, the most talked-about horror audio of 2025. Set against the stark isolation of a Jaisalmer film shoot, the story spirals from casual campfire legend to lifelong torment. A rumour of gold biscuits hidden inside a forbidden hut tempts a crew to break the rules. What they release refuses to leave. Its success lay in its chilling realism and a single, devastating truth: some doors are better left shut.
Close behind came Jo Dara Wo Mara, a psychological nightmare that toyed with fear as currency. Three friends mock a painter who claims to capture ghosts on canvas, only to discover a world where terror decides survival. In this universe, fear is fatal. The story struck a nerve in 2025 for listeners who preferred mental disintegration over jump scares.
Folklore took centre stage in Seetu, a slow-burning tale rooted in tribal belief and supernatural consequence. A businessman’s attempt to exploit forces he does not understand awakens a presence that demands retribution. Its blend of indigenous myth, greed and vengeance made it one of the year’s most lingering listens.
Rounding out the quartet was Ek Laash, the darkest descent of them all. A smuggler trading in corpses believes nothing can shock him, until a forbidden graveyard proves otherwise. Grim, oppressive and morally loaded, the story became a late-year favourite for those who like their horror unforgiving.
Together, these four stories defined Sudhanshu Rai’s grip on 2025. Indian settings, folklore-driven dread and psychological pressure replaced spectacle, reminding listeners that the most terrifying monsters respond to human greed and fear.
As the year fades, one message echoes through the headphones: if this was 2025, the darkness ahead may be far worse.
Brands
Ather Energy doubles service network to 500 centres nationwide
EV maker scales support alongside growth to keep riders on the road
MUMBAI: Ather Energy is quietly building more than just scooters. It is building the backbone to keep them running.
The electric two-wheeler maker has expanded its service network to 500 authorised centres across India, nearly doubling its footprint in a year from 277. The move mirrors its growing retail presence and signals a clear focus on one often overlooked part of EV ownership, what happens after the purchase.
From the outset, Ather has prioritised service support in every city it enters, aiming to make ownership as smooth as the ride itself. Its Gold Service Centres bring in upgraded customer lounges, modern equipment and processes designed to make servicing more transparent and reliable.
Speed, too, is part of the pitch. Through its ExpressCare initiative, riders can get periodic maintenance done in about an hour, now available across 82 centres, turning what used to be a chore into a quick pit stop.
Ather Energy chief business officer Ravneet Singh Phokela said, “Crossing 500 service centres is an important milestone as we scale across the country. Reliable after-sales support is central to the ownership experience, and our focus remains on consistent service quality and accessibility.”
The expansion comes as demand grows for models like the Ather 450 and the Rizta, which have helped the company reach a broader set of riders across metros and emerging cities alike.
Alongside servicing, Ather continues to power up infrastructure through the Ather Grid, now one of the largest fast-charging networks for two-wheelers, with over 4,300 charging points.
With plans to scale further and deepen its presence, Ather’s approach is clear. Selling the scooter may start the journey, but keeping it running smoothly is what sustains it.
