Brands
JioStar appoints Stephan Bugaj to power AI push in entertainment
MUMBAI: JioStar Group is doubling down on artificial intelligence as the next frontier of entertainment. The media and sports giant has appointed Emmy Award winner Stephan Bugaj as senior vice-president, genAI content and technology, tasking him with shaping AI-native experiences and next-generation storytelling for digital-first audiences .
The hire signals a sharper tilt towards intelligent content pipelines, interactive formats and scalable creative frameworks that allow faster experimentation and deeper audience engagement. JioStar wants AI not as garnish but as infrastructure.
Bugaj arrives from Genvid Entertainment, where as chief creative officer he co-developed the Massively Interactive Live Event format, a blend of streaming, gaming and live audience participation. He also built AI-native creative tools for filmmakers and, as creator-showrunner, led interactive productions mixing real-time engagement with premium narrative, pushing the boundaries of intelligent media.
With more than 30 years across technology and creative leadership, Bugaj has held senior roles at DJ2 Entertainment, Pixar Animation Studios, Telltale Games and Hanson Robotics. His work ranges from AI-driven content systems and adaptive narratives to digital production pipelines and immersive platforms, all geared towards expanding creative possibilities.
JioStar has already been seeding AI across its businesses through conversational interfaces, second-screen engagement layers and AI-assisted workflows. Bugaj’s arrival is expected to accelerate innovation in interactive formats built for scale. The company frames the move as part of a broader ambition to influence the future of global entertainment .
JioStar’s reach gives it a large canvas. Its television network and streaming service together touch more than 750 million viewers weekly across markets, making it one of the biggest distribution machines in media.
The bet is straightforward: as screens multiply and attention fragments, smarter content wins. In the race between algorithms and imagination, JioStar is wagering that the two, fused well, can turn viewers into participants and stories into living systems. The show, it seems, is learning to think.
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.
