Tom Holland & Matt Damon join Prakhar Gupta podcast during India tour for The Odyssey

Mumbai: Hollywood found a new microphone in India this week as Tom Holland and Matt Damon appeared on Indian creator Prakhar Gupta’s podcast during their visit to promote The Odyssey, marking another sign of the growing role of creator-led media in global film campaigns.

The actors were in Mumbai alongside filmmaker Christopher Nolan as part of the international promotional tour for The Odyssey. While the visit included public appearances and fan interactions, the podcast offered a longer, more conversational format than traditional press interviews.

The episode explored the film, the actors’ creative journeys and their experiences working with Nolan, while also weaving in elements of Indian culture.

One of the conversation’s standout moments came when Gupta recited a Sanskrit shloka from the Vedas. He later greeted Holland and Damon with “namaste”, a gesture both actors returned. The exchange quickly gained traction on social media, adding a distinctly Indian touch to the promotional tour.

Unlike conventional film publicity centred on red carpets and short media interactions, the long-form format allowed for a more relaxed discussion aimed at Indian audiences. It also reflected the increasing willingness of international studios to collaborate with digital creators who command large and highly engaged communities.

The appearance underscores the rapid evolution of India’s podcast ecosystem, which has grown from a niche format into a mainstream platform hosting conversations with business leaders, policymakers, athletes, artists and global celebrities.

For Hollywood studios, creator-led platforms offer extended audience engagement and continued visibility across YouTube, Instagram and other social media platforms long after an interview is released.

For Gupta, the episode represents one of the biggest international collaborations on his platform to date. More broadly, it highlights how Indian creators are becoming part of official global entertainment campaigns rather than simply covering them from the sidelines.

As The Odyssey builds momentum ahead of its release, the podcast stands out as more than another promotional stop. It reflects how India’s digital creators are increasingly shaping global entertainment conversations while bringing local cultural identity into the spotlight.