iWorld
iTV’s new exec Sandeep Amar: We’ll launch video-first, multi-platform content properties
MUMBAI: Sandeep Amar, a senior leader in the Indian digital space, has joined iTV Network as the CEO of iTV – digital.
In his new role, Amar, with two decades of experience, will focus on building the digital assets for iTV Network and launch multiple new projects, he will be reporting directly to iTV founder and promoter Kartikeya Sharma.
Before joining iTV, Amar was the CEO of Indian Express Digital, prior to which he worked as the CEO for India.com, a ZEEL and Penske Media JV. Indian Express Digital and India.com properties reached leadership positions during his tenure.
Earlier, he also worked for Audiences, Times Internet Limited., Citigroup, Times Business Solutions, Zee Telefilms and The Times of India.
A six sigma black belt and alumnus of FMS, Delhi, Amar has been an avid blogger and speaker in digital space and considered as a thought leader in digital space in the country.
Sharma said, “We are happy to have Sandeep (Amar) on board at a time when the group is promoting several new-edge media solutions and working feverishly towards making information available in formats that will appeal to today’s tech-savvy consumers.”
Amar said, “We will be launching multiple projects including video-first properties, strong multi-platform digital video content properties, powerful native platforms and future tech projects in AI and Machine Learning. The key is to focus on building the future of digital publishing businesses as the metrics and environment are changing dynamically, the future is mobile, vernacular, video and strong product vision backed by future tech.”
iWorld
Mumbai pani puri stall goes viral with water gun filling stunt
Instamart’s Holi activation swaps matka for blasters, video sparks laughs and soggy puri debates online.
MUMBAI: Pani puri just got a high-pressure upgrade because in Mumbai, even street food is practising its aim for Holi. A pani puri vendor in the city has become an overnight social media star after he was filmed firing paani into crisp puris using colourful water guns, part of a playful festive activation by quick-commerce platform Instamart ahead of Holi. The clip, shared widely on Instagram and Linkedin, shows the vendor ditching the traditional steel matka for toy blasters, blasting flavoured water straight into the golgappas with impressive accuracy while a crowd of office-goers, students, and passers-by gathers, phones out, recording the spectacle.
The stunt was designed to spotlight Instamart’s Holi collection of water guns, now shifting from childhood toys to serious adult purchases. Premium models like the German-engineered SPYRA (known for power and range), alongside NERF and Toyshine blasters, are already seeing demand as buyers gear up for the festival with high-performance gear bought with grown-up money.
Netizens had a field day with the video. One user quipped, “There are two kinds of Holi people: The ‘I’ll sit inside’ ones. And the ‘give me the biggest water gun’ ones. Instamart clearly built this for the second category.” Another likened it to “a deleted Holi scene from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani,” capturing the mix of amusement and mock horror over potentially soggy puris.
With Holi still weeks away, the viral moment signals that festive shopping and the playful chaos it brings has already begun in Mumbai. In a city where street food is sacred, watching pani puri get the water-gun treatment might just be the splashiest sign yet that the festival of colours is loading up for a big, wet comeback.
