iWorld
Esports team GodLike Esports collaborates with blockchain-based fan engagement startup Stan
Mumbai: Esports organisation GodLike Esports has entered into a strategic agreement with Bengaluru-headquartered esports fan engagement startup Stan. This will enable them to provide officially licensed non-NFT digital collectibles for GodLike BGMI team’s fans and followers, among other services and rewards.
The key objective of the partnership between Stan and GodLike, which was facilitated by Numen Esports and Gaming, is to build an ecosystem for fans in order to connect with them actively and unlock new experiences for the fan base.
Following this partnership, Stan shall be giving access to GodLike fans to chat, play and even meet GodLike team members; furthermore, Stan users will also have a chance to visit GodLike’s Bootcamp, India’s largest gaming/esports facility.
Among the key players of Godlike Esports BGMI team with whom Stan has collaborated include: Chetan ‘Kronten’ Chandgude, Abhijit ‘Ghatak’ Andhare, Jonathan ‘Jonathan’ Amaral, Vivek ‘ClutchGod’ Abbas, Abhishek ‘ZGOD’ Choudhary and Suraj ‘Neyoo’ Mujumdar.
In addition, they have also collaborated with an influencer and an ex-professional player Kronten, GodLike owner, founder and director Abhijit ‘Ghatak’ Andhare (also an influencer and an ex-professional player).
Speaking on the partnership with GodLike, Stan co-founder and COO Nauman Mulla said, “Entering into a strategic partnership with the biggest organisation in India, GodLike Esports, was a no brainer for us at Stan, as want to give access to all the GodLike superfans, all of that Stan is offering. We aim to work with all the major stakeholders in this esports ecosystem, which is why we are very excited about this partnership. We intend to empower fans and connect them with their favourite esports athletes and creators; and to that end, now Stan users will be able to play a game, chat, make a live call, and meet GodLike members. We are proud to announce that Stan is the only platform today giving access to GodLike fans to meet, chat, play and also visit their gaming facility, and no other application or company are offering these services.”
Kronten said, “We are excited to partner with a brand as visionary and groundbreaking as Stan. Physical collectibles and memorabilia have been a part of sporting culture across the globe for so long and converting these to digital tokens using advanced technology will revolutionise fan engagement. All of us at GodLike are looking forward to engaging with our fans and community through Stan.”
iWorld
Rusk Media announces Battleground Season 2 on Amazon MX Player
Fitness reality show returns in April 2026 with bigger challenges and mentors.
MUMBAI: The arena is reopening and this time the competition promises even more sweat, strategy and spectacle. Rusk Media has confirmed the return of its fitness reality format Battleground for a second season, set to stream on Amazon MX Player from April 2026. The announcement follows the breakout success of the show’s debut season, which positioned itself as a high energy blend of sport, strategy and reality television. Season 1 brought together 16 contestants for a 28 day test of endurance and discipline, as aspiring athletes and fitness enthusiasts competed in physically demanding challenges and team based battles.
Divided into four teams, the participants trained under a panel of mentors drawn from the fitness and lifestyle space, with former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan serving as the show’s Super Mentor.
The format quickly found an audience among digital viewers and was listed among the most binged titles on Amazon MX Player. The show also picked up industry recognition, winning the “Most Popular Non Fiction Show” honour at the IWMBuzz Digital Awards 2025.
The first season also drew a slate of brand partnerships, including Honda Bigwing, Charged, American Pistachio Growers, Bigmuscles Nutrition, Ritebite Max Protein, Plix and Sparsh CCTV, highlighting the show’s appeal to brands targeting India’s rapidly growing youth and fitness audience.
For Season 2, the producers say the format will evolve with tougher physical challenges, a sharper competitive structure and deeper mentor involvement while continuing to focus on discovering the next generation of Indian fitness personalities.
Rusk Media, chief executive officer and co founder Mayank Yadav said the first season proved the appetite for competitive fitness storytelling. “Battleground was always envisioned as more than a show. Season 1 demonstrated that there is a massive audience for aspirational fitness competition at scale. With Season 2 we are going even bigger in ambition, intensity and opportunities for contestants and partners,” he said.
Rusk Ads lead Rahul Arora added that the series has also evolved into a strong platform for brand integration and advertiser engagement. “Season 1 showed that Battleground is not just compelling content but a powerful brand ecosystem. As we move into Season 2, we are looking to deepen brand collaborations and build more integrated partnerships,” he said.
With a larger format, an expanding fan base and a new season set to arrive in April 2026, Battleground is positioning itself as one of India’s emerging fitness reality franchises in the digital entertainment space.
