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Alexa spills the tea as India asks pop stars, crime and crores in 2025
MUMBAI: If curiosity had a catchphrase in 2025, it would almost certainly begin with a wake word. Across living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms, Indians turned to Alexa for everything from a quick song request to deep dives into fame, fortune and forgotten facts, making voice search a defining habit of the year.
Data shared by Amazon, based on interactions between January and November 2025, reveals how Alexa has quietly become India’s most consistent companion for information and entertainment. The questions flowed freely in English, Hindi and Hinglish, reflecting how naturally voice technology has blended into daily life.
Music emerged as the loudest conversation starter. Global pop culture had a strong hold, with K Pop artists BTS, Blackpink and Jennie among the most searched musicians, signalling the genre’s continued rise in Indian homes. International heavyweights such as Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Michael Jackson also featured prominently. At the same time, Indian music legends refused to fade into the background. Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar and Shankar Mahadevan remained among the most asked about artists, underscoring the country’s enduring love for its musical icons.
Alexa also doubled up as a round the clock DJ. Song requests ranged from viral chartbusters to comfort classics. Tracks such as APT by ROSÉ and Bruno Mars and Golden from K Pop Demon Hunters sat comfortably alongside Bollywood numbers like Aaj Ki Raat from Stree 2 and Saiyaara. Older favourites such as Bum Bum Bole continued to attract requests, highlighting how Indian listening habits effortlessly bridge generations.
Artists who dominated playback requests included Arijit Singh, Pritam, Shreya Ghoshal, Bruno Mars and ROSÉ, while evergreen voices like Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar continued to draw consistent interest. The mix revealed an audience equally at ease streaming the latest releases and revisiting timeless melodies.
Beyond music, podcasts carved out a strong niche. Alexa users in India tuned into shows spanning spirituality, mythology, business, education and true crime. Popular picks included The Stories of Mahabharata, The Desi Crime Podcast, Finshots Daily, The Ranveer Show and The Sadhguru Podcast – Of Mystics and Mistakes. The breadth of genres pointed to a growing appetite for long form audio, with listeners using voice commands to explore stories, insights and conversations beyond quick headlines.
Celebrity curiosity remained relentless. Indians asked Alexa a steady stream of questions about actors, sportspersons and global icons. Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar and Hrithik Roshan dominated actor related queries, while Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Cristiano Ronaldo and Sachin Tendulkar led sports related searches. Questions often drilled into personal details, from net worth and spouses to something as specific as height, with Hinglish queries like “Salman Khan ki wife kaun hai” becoming increasingly common.
Money talk was particularly popular. Business leaders Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Jeff Bezos and Gautam Adani topped net worth related questions, sharing space with sports and entertainment figures such as Virat Kohli, Lionel Messi and Shah Rukh Khan. The trend reflected a broader fascination with success, wealth and the numbers behind public life.
General knowledge queries rounded out the year. Alexa was frequently asked about political leadership, including questions such as who is the prime minister of India or the president of the United States, alongside geography and population related trivia. For many households, the device functioned as an instant fact checker, replacing the traditional web search with a spoken question.
Taken together, Alexa’s 2025 data offers a revealing snapshot of modern India. It is a country listening across genres, languages and generations, asking questions that range from playful to practical, and embracing voice as a natural extension of everyday life. From K Pop fandoms and cricket debates to podcasts and politics, India’s curiosity in 2025 was wide ranging, vocal and very clearly hands free.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
