iWorld
Amazon MX Player takes viewers on a global ride with Yatra
MUMBAI: Buckle up, folks! Amazon MX Player, Amazon’s free video streaming service, has dropped a brand-new brand film featuring none other than Indian cinema’s original Bhidu, Jackie Shroff. And this time, he isn’t just making a style statement-he’s effortlessly navigating through travel hiccups with Yatra Online Ltd (Yatra.com), all while making sure that audiences never run out of world-class entertainment.
The film puts MX Vdesi front and centre, shining a spotlight on its international content library, brimming with Korean, Turkish, and Mandarin shows-all dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. Because let’s face it, who doesn’t love a good K-drama meltdown with subtitles that don’t make you second-guess life choices?
In true Shroff style, the film hilariously showcases how Yatra ensures a seamless travel experience at unbeatable prices. But here’s the real twist-while Shroff guarantees his fellow travellers a hassle-free trip, he also lets them in on an even bigger treat: Amazon MX Player. That’s right! Whether it’s binge-worthy K-dramas, Mandarin thrillers, or laugh-out-loud comedies, MX Player makes sure no flight delay or layover is ever boring again.
The brand film takes another entertaining turn when Shroff teams up with Duolingo—because what’s a trip abroad without a language barrier disaster? In one scene, Shroff finds himself in a restaurant struggling with a menu that might as well be ancient Greek. Luckily, Duo, the iconic green owl, swoops in to save the day. But Shroff being Shroff, he doesn’t stop there. He cleverly points out that learning new languages not only helps with ordering exotic dishes but also enhances the experience of watching Turkish and Korean dramas. And for those who still mix up “hello” and “goodbye” in different languages, MX Player’s got it covered with Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu dubs.
Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani expressed excitement about the collaboration, “At Amazon MX Player, we are always looking for innovative ways to engage our audience, and collaborating with brands to communicate our message using quirky, fun brand films. Partnering with Yatra and Duolingo allows us to blend entertainment with utility, making streaming even more engaging. We look forward to more such creative collaborations that bring fresh, entertaining content to our users for absolutely free.”
Yatra whole-time director & CEO Dhruv Shringi added, “We are thrilled to have joined forces with Amazon MX Player on this innovative and engaging campaign. We believe that travel should be seamless, enjoyable, and memorable, and this collaboration aligns perfectly with that vision. With Jackie Shroff bringing his inimitable charm to this campaign, it’s a testament to the power of creative collaborations in delivering a complete and enjoyable experience to our customers.”
So whether you’re planning a trip, stuck at an airport, or just chilling at home, Amazon MX Player and Yatra have got you covered-with Shroff ensuring you travel in style and binge like a boss.
iWorld
WhatsApp may soon let users to pick who sees their status updates
The messaging giant is borrowing a page from Instagram’s playbook as it pushes to give users finer control over their social circles.
CALIFORNIA: WhatsApp is quietly working on a feature that could make its Status function considerably smarter and considerably more private.
According to reports from beta tracking platforms, the app is testing a tool called Status lists, which would allow users to create named groups such as close friends, family and colleagues, and control precisely which group sees each update. It is a meaningful step up from the platform’s current blunt instruments, which offer only three options: share with all contacts, exclude specific people, or manually select individuals each time.
The new feature draws an obvious comparison with Instagram’s Close Friends function, and the resemblance is unlikely to be accidental. Both platforms sit within Meta’s family, and the company has been nudging them toward a common logic of audience segmentation for some time.
The move also fits neatly into WhatsApp’s broader privacy push. The platform has been rolling out enhanced chat protections and is exploring the introduction of usernames, which would allow users to connect without exchanging phone numbers. Status lists extend that philosophy from messaging into broadcasting.
Meanwhile, Status itself has been evolving well beyond its origins as a simple photo-and-text slideshow. The feature now supports music stickers, collages, longer videos and interactive elements, pushing it closer to the social-media-style story format pioneered by Snapchat and refined by Instagram. In that context, finer audience controls are not merely a privacy feature. They are a precondition for people sharing more.
The feature remains in development and has not been confirmed for release. WhatsApp routinely tests tools that are later modified or quietly shelved. But the direction of travel is clear: the app wants Status to be a destination, not an afterthought. Letting users decide exactly who is in the audience is how it gets there.
