iWorld
“Developing a unique niche has been a journey of self-discovery and experimentation”: Saurav Haldar
Mumbai: With the cricket season in full swing, Saurav Haldar’s content has become even more relevant and engaging. He has a knack for infusing humor into his takes on the Indian Premier League (IPL), providing fans with a refreshing and entertaining perspective. Haldar’s content strategy revolves around understanding his audience’s preferences and delivering content that is both entertaining and insightful. He leverages the latest trends and matches them with his unique style, ensuring that his posts are always fresh and engaging. From funny memes to reflective analysis, Haldar’s content is a perfect blend that keeps fans coming back for more.
Content creators like Haldar play a crucial role in the modern cricketing landscape. They bridge the gap between traditional sports media and the digital world, providing fans with a constant stream of engaging content. His humorous take on cricket not only entertains but also fosters a deeper connection among cricket enthusiasts.
Recently, he achieved a remarkable feat by qualifying in the top 10 from over 500 participants in the Star Sports Dream Job Campaign. This achievement highlights his exceptional ability to connect with cricket fans and create content that resonates deeply with them.
Indiantelevision.com caught up with Haldar to discuss his unique take on the sport and the strategies behind his engaging content.
Edited excerpts
On sharing your experience on making it to the top 10 in the Star Sports Dream Job Campaign and what you learned from it
Making it to the top ten in the Star Sports Dream Job Campaign was extremely amazing. There were about 500 people competing, each issue we faced during the campaign made me think deeply about how to connect with the audience. One difficult task was filming Voxpop content in Ahmedabad’s burning weather. It was difficult to talk to people and capture their comments on camera on such short notice, as the temperature rose by the hour. However, going through these challenges taught me to be determined even when things were difficult. And it was a pleasure to collaborate with and learn from other talented participants. Overall, the campaign was an amazing experience that fueled my passion for sports anchoring and content creation.
On developing your unique style and persona, often being referred to as the “Majnu Bhai of cricket”
Developing a unique niche has been a journey of self-discovery and experimentation. I’ve always been passionate about both cricket and Bollywood, so naturally, I was always inclined towards blending the two in my content. The idea of infusing cricket with humor and also the most beloved Bollywood characters like Majnu Bhai resonated with me, and I decided to incorporate that into my videos. Through mimicry and comedic elements, I found a way to entertain and engage in a way that felt authentic to me. Over time, as I continued to refine my content and explore different avenues of creativity, the persona of the “Majnu Bhai of cricket” began to take shape. It’s a fusion of my love for both cricket and Bollywood, and it’s something that has resonated with my audience, earning me that endearing nickname.
On ensuring your content stands out in a crowded space
In a space full of talented content creators, standing out requires a combination of authenticity, consistency, and innovation. Firstly, I stay true to myself and my passion for cricket, which resonates with my audience on a personal level. This authenticity helps me build a genuine connection with my viewers, fostering loyalty and engagement. Secondly, consistency is key. I strive to maintain a regular posting schedule, ensuring that my audience knows when to expect new content from me. This helps me stay relevant and top-of-mind amidst the noise of social media. Finally, innovation is crucial for staying ahead of the curve. I’m always experimenting with different formats, collaborating with other creators, and staying abreast of emerging trends in content creation. By constantly evolving and pushing the boundaries of creativity, I ensure that my content remains fresh, engaging, and distinctive in a crowded space.
On any tips or advice for aspiring content creators who want to focus on cricket or sports in general
Get right into the game. Watch matches, study players, and really get to know the sport inside out. The more you love it, the more your passion will shine through in your content. And don’t be afraid to be yourself. Find your own unique style that makes you stand out from the crowd, whether it’s being funny, analytical, or a great storyteller. Stay consistent too. Keep putting out good content regularly, even if you face challenges along the way. And never stop learning and trying new things. The world of content creation is always evolving, so stay curious and keep growing. But most importantly, remember to have fun! Creating content should be a journey that brings you joy, so enjoy every moment of it!
iWorld
Talk to your telly: JioHotstar’s new AI voice feature reads your mood to suggest shows
The streaming giant ditches the scroll for a “conversational” AI that understands moods, cricket and Hinglish
MUMBAI: The era of the endless scroll may finally be over. JioHotstar has officially flicked the switch on its “Conversational Voice Discovery” (CVD) feature, a high-tech overhaul designed to turn the hunt for a Friday night film into a natural chat. Developed in a landmark partnership with OpenAI, the tool moves beyond clunky keyword searches, allowing users to find content by describing their mood, context or even the most bizarre viewing scenarios.
The feature is vision of Uday Shankar, vice chairman of JioStar, whose goal is to eliminate “content overload” by replacing the tedious, traditional scroll with natural dialogue. By leveraging ChatGPT’s ability to grasp context and cultural nuance, the new mobile interface allows users to bypass menus entirely, turning search into a seamless conversation.
The launch, which rolled out across India this month, sees a ChatGPT-powered interface integrated directly into the heart of the app. Instead of typing “action movie” into a sterile search bar, viewers can now speak to their devices as if they were asking a well-read friend for a tip. For now, the feature is exclusive to the mobile app, with a rollout for Connected TV (CTV) expected in later phases.
Beyond the keyword
The CVD feature is built on what JioStar calls “Multilingual Cognitive Search.” It is designed to interpret nuance rather than just matching text. If you tell the app, “I’ve had a long day, give me something mindless and funny,” it won’t just look for those words in a title; it will sift through 300,000 hours of library content to find a light-hearted sitcom or a stand-up special that fits the vibe.
The tech is natively multilingual, catering to India’s diverse linguistic landscape. Users can switch effortlessly between languages—asking for “Koi light-hearted comedy dikhao” (show me some light-hearted comedy) or requesting a “Thriller hai but zyada dark nahi chahiye” (a thriller that isn’t too dark).
Real-time curiosity and live sports
Perhaps the most ambitious aspect of the rollout is its integration with live sports. During a high-stakes cricket match, the AI acts as a digital companion. Fans can ask, “Who is the top scorer right now?” or “Show me that last wicket again,” and the system will pull the relevant data or clips instantly. It even attempts to explain the “why” behind the crowd’s energy, responding to prompts like, “Why is everyone reacting like that?” by contextualizing on-field events.
A shift in streaming strategy
The move is part of a broader reimagining of the entertainment experience following the massive merger between JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar. Uday Shankar noted that the goal is to make premium entertainment “truly accessible” by embedding AI at the core of the user journey. By anticipating culture and context, the platform hopes to kill off “decision fatigue.”
For OpenAI, the partnership represents a major play in the Indian market. Fidji Simo, the head of applications at OpenAI, said the goal was to turn a “one-way” passive consumption experience into a “deeply personal conversation.”
As the feature goes live for millions of subscribers, the message from Bombay House is clear: the remote control is becoming obsolete. Whether you’re looking for a show that “feels like a rainy Sunday afternoon” or a crime series with a “strong female lead but not too violent,” all you have to do is ask.
