eNews
Kuku FM acquires audiobook rights for iconic works of Jeffrey Archer
Mumbai: Indian audio entertainment platform – Kuku FM has acquired the exclusive rights to adapt several of Jeffrey Archer’s acclaimed works into Hindi audiobooks.
The securing of the exclusive rights also includes the iconic William Warwick series and other global bestsellers including “The Fourth Estate,” “As the Crow Flies,” and “A Matter of Honour”. This strategy aims to bridge the gap between global literature and Hindi-speaking audiences across India and South Asia, making these literary masterpieces accessible.
Jeffrey Archer, whose narratives often draw inspiration from Indian concepts and characters, has long held a special place in the hearts of avid readers. His works always resonate deeply with a varied readership in India, ranging from young adults and middle-aged professionals to literature enthusiasts and those who have an interest in historical narratives. Archer’s books consistently top bestseller lists globally, as readers get drawn to his masterful storytelling and universal themes of ambition, power, and human fulfillment.
“We are thrilled to bring Jeffrey Archer’s works to our platform. His narratives, known for their out-of-nowhere plot twists, and compelling characters, are ideally suited for our listeners’ growing entertainment needs, as they clock in almost 100 mins a day, and still ask for more,” said Kuku FM CEO and co-founder Lal Chand Bisu. “This partnership allows us to cater to our diverse audience base and introduce these globally acclaimed stories in an immersive Hindi audio format for the first time. We want to re-introduce an entire generation to the Archer magic.”
The audio format is particularly well-suited to Archer’s writing style, known for nail-biting cliffhangers and dialogue-rich prose. This adaptation promises to bring his complex characters to life in an immersive auditory experience, set in the Hindi language to deepen the listener’s emotional bond with the story.
“I am delighted that my books will now be available as Hindi audiobooks via Kuku FM. I very much hope that those who have never listened to my stories will enjoy them, along with the many who are already fans of my work,” said Lord Archer.
This project aligns with Kuku FM’s continuous efforts to bring diverse, world-class entertainment choices to a wide set of audiences, and further solidifies its dedication to ensure there is a library for everyone on the platform.
The release schedule for the Hindi audiobook series will be announced in the coming weeks.
eNews
PNB partners Kiwi to launch credit-enabled UPI for users
Targets 180 million customers; RuPay card offers 0.5 per cent to 1.5 per cent cashback
MUMBAI: Swipe, tap, or scan credit is quietly slipping into the rhythm of everyday payments, and Punjab National Bank wants in on the action. The state-run lender has partnered with Kiwi to roll out credit-enabled UPI payments for its 180 million customers, marking a significant push to blend traditional banking with India’s fast-evolving digital payments ecosystem.
At the centre of the collaboration is the launch of the PNB Kiwi Credit Card on the RuPay network. The card is designed with a digital-first approach, offering fully online onboarding and seamless integration with UPI, allowing users to transact via scan-and-pay while accessing credit.
The offering also brings in a rewards layer, with cashback ranging from 0.5 per cent to 1.5 per cent on online transactions, positioning the product as both a convenience play and a spending incentive.
The move comes as UPI continues to dominate India’s digital payments landscape, increasingly blurring the lines between debit-led transactions and credit access. For PNB, which operates over 10,000 branches around 60 per cent in semi-urban and rural areas, the partnership signals a targeted effort to extend formal credit to segments that have traditionally remained underserved.
The collaboration also reflects a broader industry shift, where banks and fintech platforms are converging to embed credit directly into payment flows, reducing friction while expanding access.
With RuPay credit cards gaining traction and UPI evolving beyond peer-to-peer transfers, the PNB–Kiwi tie-up positions both players at the intersection of scale, accessibility, and the next phase of digital finance in India.
