iWorld
Here’s a sneak peek to SonyLIV’s next web original – ‘GULLAK’
MUMBAI: Small families, never ending hassles and an unshakeable bond; that’s what defines the dynamics of the Indian middle class. Bereft of luxuries and away from the urban hustle, these are people who live limitlessly within the small confines of their homes. Their dreams are not bound by the height of their walls and imperfection is a way of life for them. Unleashing one such slice of life story, SonyLIV, India’s first premium video on demand service launches its next original – Gullak on 27th June. Created by TVF, Gullak promises to evoke a rollercoaster of emotions in its viewers and present hilarious instances that form the crux of middle class families in India.
Written by Nikhil Vijay and starring actors Jameel Khan, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Sunita Rajwar and Vaibhav Raj Gupta, the show depicts the story of a family that brings home a Gullak to save for materialise their dreams. But things don’t always go as per plan, which is essentially a reality in our regular lives. Undeterred, they stick together as there’s more to save for a happy life, togetherness being top of the order. With a well-knit screenplay and heartfelt performances, Gullak is reflective of the unexpected highs and disappointing lows that we all face and yet relentlessly strive to sail through. What we gain is a lifetime of memories, experiences and stories to share.
Join the Mishra family as they find anecdotes in their chaotic everyday lives by catching a glimpse of the promo below. Gullak goes live exclusively on SonyLIV on 27th June 2019.
e-commerce
American Express to acquire AI startup Hyper to boost automation
Deal targets expense management as AI reshapes corporate spending tools.
MUMBAI: From receipts to robots, the expense sheet is getting a brain upgrade as American Express moves to bring artificial intelligence into the heart of corporate spending. The company has announced plans to acquire Hyper, a relatively young but fast-rising startup founded in 2022 that builds AI-powered agents capable of organising expenses, generating reports, verifying compliance with budgets and policies, and nudging users with timely reminders. The deal, expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, underscores a growing shift among financial institutions to automate traditionally manual, time-heavy workflows.
Hyper counts Sam Altman among its backers, adding a layer of Silicon Valley credibility to the acquisition. While financial details remain undisclosed, the strategic intent is clear: deepen automation capabilities and sharpen American Express’s position in the competitive corporate spending ecosystem.
The two companies are not strangers. They previously collaborated in 2024 on a co-branded credit card product, suggesting that the acquisition is less a cold buy and more an extension of an existing relationship. With this move, American Express is effectively bringing that capability in-house, aiming to embed AI directly into its commercial services stack.
Chief executive Stephen Squeri had already signalled the direction of travel in a recent shareholder letter, describing AI as a “structural shift” in how businesses operate. The Hyper acquisition appears to be a direct response to that shift, particularly in expense management, where processes such as approvals, compliance checks and reporting remain ripe for automation.
Alongside the acquisition, the company is also expanding its product suite. A recently launched business credit card offers cashback and benefits at an annual fee of $295, with another card expected later this year moves that complement its broader push into commercial services.
Taken together, the strategy points to a future where managing expenses may require fewer spreadsheets and more algorithms. For American Express, the bet is simple, if businesses are rethinking how work gets done, the tools that power that work need to evolve just as quickly.
