iWorld
Aly Goni and Surabhi Das Star in Secret Ameerzada on Pocket FM
Mumbai: After a slew of blockbuster audio series, Pocket FM, has unveiled the highly anticipated promo of its much-talked-about audio series ‘Secret Ameerzada,’ featuring Aly Goni and Surabhi Das. Known for their captivating performances across television and other entertainment formats, Aly and Surabhi are seen essaying the lead roles, Ahaan Raizada and Shanaya Gill, bringing their exceptional talent to this thrilling narrative. The promo also stars veteran actor Upasana Singh, who is known for her body of work on the silver screen, adding the star quotient to the stunning cast.
Pocket FM, celebrated for delivering blockbuster serialised audio fiction in various genres and languages, promises to enchant listeners once again with ‘Secret Ameerzada,’ the story of Ahaan Raizada, who struggles in a loveless marriage with Shanaya Gill and faces constant disrespect and rebuke from his snobbish in-laws and Shanya’s close friend. However, Ahaan’s luck changes dramatically when he discovers his true identity as the secret heir to the wealthy Raizada family. A thrilling tale of self-discovery, luck, emotions, and grit – Secret Ameerzada is one of the top trending shows on the platform.
Aly plays the character of Ahaan with absolute conviction maintaining the mystery and enigma around him, whereas Surbhi as Shanya Gill manages to impress with her nuanced act. The dynamic duo showcases layered performance in this dramatic yet inspiring audio series.
Aly Goni, who is playing the titular role of Ahaan Raizada, said, “As an artist, I thrive on new challenges and fresh experiences. So, when I was approached for the audio series Secret Ameerzada, I didn’t give it a second thought and was excited to take on this challenge. It is inspiring to witness platforms like Pocket FM advancing the frontiers of storytelling, offering audiences rich, immersive experiences that transcend traditional formats. Collaborating with this audio series platform has been enriching, providing me with a distinctive and innovative opportunity to connect with my audience.”
Surabhi Das, seen as Shanaya Gill, said, “I think to me getting an opportunity to delve into the audio series medium was incredibly exciting. The character of Shanaya is fascinating and multi-layered. As an artist, I believe in challenging myself with every new role, regardless of the medium. This character is very different from any I have played before, and I really hope the audience enjoys it as much as we enjoyed creating it. Kudos to the Pocket FM team for consistently delivering content across diverse genres, from gripping thrillers to heartwarming dramas.”
Upsana Singh, who is essaying the role of mother-in-law, Yamini, said, “Embracing new challenges and exploring different mediums of entertainment fuel creativity and growth. So, when I was offered this character in the audio series Secret Ameerzada, I was immediately on board. It’s inspiring to collaborate with a dedicated team striving to deliver diverse and captivating content to audiences everywhere. Pocket FM as a platform is doing a great job, remarkable in their efforts to push the boundaries of storytelling, delivering immersive experiences that go beyond.”
eNews
Piyush Thakur steps down as Inshorts’ chief revenue officer
Former vice president and cro says exit marks a new chapter after close to a decade of building revenue and partnerships at Inshorts Group.
NOIDA: Piyush Thakur has stepped away from Inshorts Group after nearly 10 years with the company, marking the end of a long tenure that culminated in his role as chief revenue officer.
In a farewell note, Thakur said he was “turning a new page” after almost a decade at Inshorts, calling it one of the hardest professional decisions he has made. He added that his exit was not driven by uncertainty about the future, but by reflection on a long association with the company.
Thakur joined Inshorts in October 2016 as vice president and spent around seven years in the role before being elevated to chief revenue officer in April 2024, a position he held until April 2026.
He said his tenure was defined by “thousands of mornings, late nights, product debates and breakthrough moments”, as the company evolved into a large-scale digital news platform used by millions.
In his note, Thakur emphasised that Inshorts’ growth was a collective effort across teams, adding that engineers, designers, sales teams and customer support staff all contributed to building the platform. He said the company’s success was not the result of individuals but of “everyone who stayed, passed through, and left their mark”.
Before Inshorts, Thakur worked across several digital media and business development roles. At ESPN, he served as senior regional manager from October 2015 to October 2016, focusing on growth initiatives, strategic opportunities and video distribution.
At Times Internet, he worked for nearly three years, including as head of business development from April 2015 to September 2015 and chief manager from January 2013 to March 2015. His responsibilities included monetisation of mobile platforms, managing media and developer partnerships, and driving revenue across digital properties such as The Times of India and The Economic Times.
Earlier, he worked at Brandmovers as head of business development from June 2012 to June 2013, handling digital, mobile and social media marketing solutions, client development and strategic consulting. During this period, he also worked on advertising revenue, brand strategy and CRM-based solutions.
At Inshorts, Thakur’s role focused on revenue strategy, mobile and media partnerships, and growth initiatives across platforms. His profile highlights experience in mobile product management, digital business models, partner ecosystems and revenue expansion in high-growth environments.
