iWorld
IPRS rolls out dual push for artistic expression and creator rights in Goa
GOA: The Indian Performing Right Society is gearing up for a blockbuster December in Goa, launching a two-pronged bid to champion India’s musical talent: a high-energy showcase at the Serendipity Arts Festival 2025 and the debut of its first IP Hub, a nationwide initiative designed to arm creators with knowledge, tools and control over their work.
From 15–20 December at Azad Maidan, the IPRS Stage will light up Panaji with a line-up that cuts across regions, genres and generations. The Vayali Bamboo Band will open the stage on 15 December with their handcrafted instruments and earth-rooted sound. In the days that follow, audiences will hear Gulabi Vinyl’s blend of thumri, dadra and ghazals; Beintehaan, a lush curation by songwriter and filmmaker Mayur Puri; the Sufi pulse of Rooh-e-Qawwali led by Shahbaaz Hussain Khan of the Gwalior Gharana; and the rising Ladakhi powerhouse Dashugs, who close the showcase with their mountain-bred sonic grit.
But the festival stage is only half the story. IPRS is also launching its first IP Hub at the Future School of Performing Arts in Goa, the start of a wider network aimed at demystifying copyright, royalties, metadata and monetisation for regional creators. The Hub promises accessible guidance, local-language resources and community-driven learning—an antidote to an industry where too many artists remain uninformed about how to protect their work.
IPRS chief executive Rakesh Nigam called the month a turning point for the organisation, saying the two initiatives “celebrate creativity and strengthen the ecosystem from the ground up”. The Hub’s opening will include an interactive session on 18 December, with insights from creators and industry voices including Puri.
Nilesh Thomas, chief academic officer at the Future School of Performing Arts, said the partnership fits neatly with the school’s goal of preparing creators for sustainable careers that balance artistic growth with industry know-how.
With a festival stage that spotlights India’s sonic brilliance and a grassroots hub built to safeguard the people behind it, IPRS is making a loud, clear statement: the future of Indian music needs celebration—and protection. One beat, one right, one creator at a time.
iWorld
MS Dhoni invests in Kuku, joins Kuku TV as brand ambassador
Cricket icon backs AI storytelling platform, fronts Kuku TV campaign
MUMBAI: MS Dhoni has invested in Kuku and joined its short-form drama app Kuku TV as brand ambassador, signalling a high-profile bet on India’s fast-growing AI-led content space.
Kuku, a mobile-first storytelling platform, operates across formats with apps such as Kuku TV for micro-dramas, Kuku FM for audio content and Guru for learning-led entertainment. Founded in 2018, the company has scaled rapidly, crossing 350 million installs and building a catalogue of over 20,000 titles across multiple Indian languages.
Dhoni said his decision to invest and partner with the platform was driven by its distinct approach to storytelling and its strong growth trajectory. MS Dhoni said, “I chose to invest in Kuku, and also come on board as the ambassador for Kuku TV, because the platform really stood out to me. It has built a differentiated entertainment experience for audiences across India, spanning multiple languages and formats. The growth has been impressive, and I connect strongly with the founders, who come from small towns like mine and have built something of this scale. I believe in their vision of building an AI-driven storytelling platform from Bharat, for Bharat, and for the world.”
Founded by Lal Chand Bisu, Vinod Kumar Meena and Vikas Goyal, the platform positions itself at the intersection of technology and storytelling, using AI to create and distribute bite-sized content tailored to mobile audiences.
Sharing his perspective, Kuku co-founder and CEO Lal Chand Bisu said, “MS Dhoni is known for backing bold decisions that others might hesitate to take. At Kuku, we are also taking bold bets. That spirit of unconventional thinking resonates deeply with us.”
Adding to this, Kuku co-founder and COO Vinod Kumar Meena said, “Our beloved Thala is one of the rare personalities with truly nationwide appeal. As we build Kuku for all of India, that connection makes him a natural fit for us.”
Further, Kuku co-founder and CTO Vikas Goyal said, “MSD has a unique understanding of people. As we build for both creators and consumers, that perspective will be incredibly valuable, especially as we continue strengthening our AI-driven storytelling stack.”
Backing the momentum, Panthera Peak Capital managing director Nikhil Bhandarkar said, “Kuku’s vision, execution, and clarity of thought are exceptional, qualities that closely mirror MS Dhoni’s approach. We are excited to partner with the team as they build Kuku into a global entertainment platform.”
To mark the association, Kuku TV has rolled out the campaign Dhoni Watches Kuku TV, anchored by a brand film that plays on Dhoni’s instinctive decision-making. Built around short, engaging stories delivered in minutes, the campaign highlights the platform’s promise of quick, compelling entertainment.
With Dhoni stepping in as both investor and face of the brand, Kuku appears to be doubling down on its ambition to take AI-driven storytelling from India to a global audience, one short story at a time.
