MAM
NDTV launches defence podcast ‘CTRL + ALT DEFENCE’ with Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor
MUMBAI: India’s military machinery is finally getting a voice in the podcast space—and it comes with the firepower of two veteran journalists. On 22 May 2025, NDTV unveiled CTRL + ALT DEFENCE, its first-ever dedicated defence podcast hosted by Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor. New episodes drop every Saturday at 6 pm across Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube, and NDTV.com.
The inaugural episode, aired on 17 May and titled Drones, Airstrikes, Media Narratives: Weapons of Operation Sindoor, dissected India’s calculated response to the Pahalgam terror attack. From drones and airstrikes to border defence systems and battlefront PR strategy, the episode laid the groundwork for a series promising deep insight with zero jargon.
Between them, Som and Aroor boast over 50 years of field reporting. Som has covered conflict zones from Siachen to Iraq and Ukraine, specialising in military tech and satellite defence intel. Aroor brings 21 years of on-ground reporting from war fronts in Sri Lanka, Libya, and beyond. Together, they combine real-world combat insight with storytelling precision, offering listeners more than just the news cycle.
“War is never just about headlines and breaking news; it’s a multidimensional subject that demands context, technical understanding, and lived experience to truly interpret”, the hosts emphasised.
The podcast appeals to a broad base—from defence analysts to curious citizens. It covers missile systems, drone warfare, strategy, and the moral calculus behind conflict. Its tone is crisp, conversational, and informed by first-hand exposure to battlefields like Kargil, Pahalgam, Congo, and Kyiv.
As India’s defence conversation gets more mainstream, CTRL + ALT DEFENCE fills a glaring void with both rigour and relatability.
Watch the podcast here: ndtv.com/podcast/ctrl-alt-defence-1018
MAM
Hyphen launches sunscreen campaign featuring Kriti Sanon as SPF Police
Campaign drives SPF habit; Blinkit tie-up enables instant sunscreen delivery.
MUMBAI: No SPF, no mercy Kriti Sanon is out patrolling your skincare routine. Hyphen has rolled out a new campaign film starring its Co-Founder and Chief Customer Officer Kriti Sanon, who steps into a playful alter ego as the brand’s “SPF Police”, turning sunscreen reminders into a full-blown public service announcement with a wink. The campaign kicked off with a cheeky social media tease suggesting Sanon had “stepped down” from her role, sparking chatter online before the brand revealed the twist: she hasn’t gone anywhere, she has simply taken on an additional avatar, one dedicated to ensuring people do not skip sunscreen.
The film leans into humour to drive home a serious point. In a slice-of-life setting, Sanon intercepts a gym-goer about to step out without sunscreen, promptly handing over Hyphen’s ‘All I Need Sunscreen’, which arrives instantly via Blinkit. The message is clear: forgetting SPF is no longer a valid excuse when it can be delivered in minutes.
Beyond the laughs, the campaign taps into a well-known gap in everyday skincare habits. Sunscreen, despite being one of the most recommended steps, is often the most ignored. By gamifying the reminder through an “SPF Police” persona, Hyphen aims to turn a routine into a reflex.
The multi-stage rollout from intrigue-led teasers to the final film has been designed to spark conversation while embedding the brand into daily behaviour. It also spotlights Hyphen’s quick commerce partnership with Blinkit, positioning accessibility as a key enabler of consistency.
Sanon, who remains closely involved in product development and brand strategy, noted that the idea stemmed from a simple insight: skincare works best when it is easy, habitual and hard to ignore. The campaign reflects that philosophy equal parts science, storytelling and a nudge you cannot quite escape.
The film is now live across Hyphen and Blinkit’s digital platforms, with further activations expected to extend the campaign’s reach and perhaps keep the SPF Police on duty a little longer.
