iWorld
Arré, FB to stream Ilaiyaraaja film, former to launch Tamil originals
MUMBAI: Ilaiyaraaja, Isaignani, the reclusive master, known for his unique skill is all set to disrupt, choosing to tell via Facebook his story to the new digital generation.
This ‘digital-first’ film will play out first on Facebook, Instagram and Arré. Arré recently launched its music vertical, Arré Earworm, and has also entered the Tamil market and will soon be launching originals in Tamil.
The regional-global story will straddle millions of Ilaiyaraaja fans and music communities across a swathe of geographies and interests
Joining this initiative is Mindshare, whose specialised content solutions arm Content+ is working with Arré to tell this important story using their understanding of consumers across the globe.
True to the nature of the medium and the genius of the artiste, Arré is in the process of collaborating with domestic and international creative talent to create what will be a path-defining moment for music and media.
Ilaiyaraaja, said “I come from a small village and have had no formal training in music. Music has made me Ilaiyaraaja. I am looking forward to sharing my musical journey with all my fans and music lovers on Arré and Facebook.”
English: https://www.facebook.com/1647011945555015/videos/1967237223532484/
Tamil : https://www.facebook.com/1647011945555015/videos/1967233830199490/
Arré B. Saikumar said: “Arré believes that digital is no longer the mainstay of just the millennial; it is increasingly the medium of choice across age-groups and community-led affinities and interests. We are happy to have Mindshare as a strategic partner to provide the required amplification and partners this project deserves.”
Facebook India head – media partnerships Saurabh Doshi said: “Millions of people who are on Facebook will now be able to have the opportunity to get a glimpse of Ilaiyaraaja’s musical journey and his work through this video series on our platform.”
Mindshare South Asia CEO Prasanth Kumar said, “The digital medium is giving us the opportunity to tell this story creatively, with the man re-living his musical journey again via video, text and imagery.”
Gaming
Formula 1 and Mumbai Falcons launch India’s first official F1 sim racing championship
Nationwide competition creates pathway from virtual racing to pro motorsport
MUMBAI: Formula 1 has teamed up with Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited to launch India’s first officially sanctioned F1 sim racing competition, marking a new step in the country’s growing motorsport ecosystem.
The championship, titled F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026, will offer a structured national platform for sim racers, with participants competing on the official F1 25 across multiple stages. The competition will begin with online qualifiers, followed by city-based simulator rounds, before culminating in a national final in Mumbai this November.
Open to players across PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox, registrations for the event will begin on 30 April via the Mumbai Falcons app. The format mirrors real-world racing, featuring official circuits, team liveries and competitive structures aligned with the global series.
Formula 1 driver Narain Karthikeyan said the initiative arrives at a time when interest in the sport is surging in India, adding that a structured sim racing platform could help identify and nurture the next generation of talent.
Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited managing director Ameet Gadhoke noted that the championship aligns with the team’s long-term goal of building a strong motorsport pipeline in the country and placing Indian talent on the global stage.
The launch also reflects broader momentum in esports, especially after its recognition under India’s Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. By bridging gaming and real-world racing, the initiative aims to offer aspiring drivers a credible entry point into professional motorsport.
With interest in Formula 1 steadily rising and conversations around its return to India gaining pace, the new championship could become a proving ground for future racing stars.
