iWorld
nexGTV launches ‘SPOTLight’ with Imtiaz Ali for content creators
NEW DELHI: Subscription-driven video entertainment mobile app nexGTV has partnered director Imtiaz Ali for a project called SPOTLight, wherein users can develop original short videos across a variety of genres.
As per nexGTV, almost 80 per cent of its initial investment has been pumped into marketing the new programme.
NexGTV COO Abhesh Verma told Indiantelevision.com that the publicity and marketing will initially be through bloggers and on social media, which will be used to invite entries but would gradually spread to television, radio spots and then hoardings.
Users can develop original short videos across genres like horror, satire, drama, social, poetry, comedy original music, fiction and reality. NexGTV will carry selected videos under SPOTLight on its ‘TV on mobile’ platform.
The popularity of page views will determine the top five videos, which will then be adjudged by Ali every month. One video will be selected for the grand prize of Rs 1 lakh. A second prize of Rs 25,000 will be given to encourage participants to make his or her next video.
Each of the people who send in videos will be entitled to 11 paise per view after they cross 3000 page views.
When asked about sponsorships, Verma said nexGTV already had the base with the large of number of screen partnerships and more than 100 advertisers. “Each contribution can be of 200 megabytes, which roughly worked out to 10 minutes,” he said.
Calling nexGTV an enabler, he said that if someone who had made a video and sent it to another platform, could still send it to SPOTlight.
With the launch of 4G services in India, Verma was of the opinion that the whole scenario was changing with 4G where a part of the cost could be subsidised and in any case the costs will go down and penetration increase.
For participation in SPOTlight, participants will have to download the nexGTV app and also abide by other guidelines.
Verma said, “SPOTlight means centre stage, and that is exactly what we are looking to offer those bitten by the creative bug. By bringing someone of Imtiaz’s class and calibre, we are offering a unique chance to not just independent video content creators but to everybody to discover and showcase their talent in order to get it judged by a master of the craft. The cash prize is meant as an incentive to encourage the aspiring video content creators to channel their creativity and further innovate.”
Ali added, “India, today, is brimming with talented individuals just looking for ways to express themselves through their creativity. ‘SPOTLight’ gives them the perfect stage to channel their genius to create something that resonates with the public. I am glad to be involved in such a wonderful initiative and will look forward to seeing the best entries.”
He said he had also begun as a struggler but knew he wanted to be a director. This was one reason he agreed to come on to this platform. Ali’s aim will be to see the originality in the talent of the five videos that are shortlisted. In other words, he will look at the videos as a director.
The app, which has a growing library of movies, TV shows and videos on demand, has now commissioned content that will be exclusive to nexGTV.
Gaming
Bluestone FY26 revenue rises to Rs 2,436 crore, turns profitable
Q4 profit at Rs 31 crore, full-year profit at Rs 13 crore vs loss last year.
MUMBAI: From sparkle to numbers, Bluestone seems to be polishing more than just jewellery this year. Bluestone Jewellery and Lifestyle Limited reported a sharp turnaround in FY26, with revenue from operations rising to Rs 2,436 crore (Rs 24,364 million), up from Rs 1,770 crore (Rs 17,700 million) in FY25. The company posted a full-year profit of Rs 13 crore (Rs 131.79 million), a significant recovery from a loss of Rs 222 crore (Rs 2,218 million) a year ago.
Total income for the year stood at Rs 2,486 crore (Rs 24,860 million), compared to Rs 1,830 crore (Rs 18,300 million) in the previous year, reflecting both topline growth and improved operational momentum.
The March quarter, however, told a more nuanced story. Revenue from operations came in at Rs 681 crore (Rs 6,814 million), down from Rs 748 crore (Rs 7,486 million) in the year-ago period, though higher than Rs 461 crore (Rs 4,613 million) in the preceding December quarter. Net profit for Q4 stood at Rs 31 crore (Rs 311.81 million), compared to Rs 68 crore (Rs 688 million) a year earlier, but a clear reversal from a loss of Rs 51 crore (Rs 512 million) in Q3.
Margins were shaped by higher input costs, with raw material consumption rising to Rs 2,204 crore (Rs 22,043 million) for the full year, alongside employee benefit expenses of Rs 282 crore (Rs 2,824 million) and finance costs of Rs 210 crore (Rs 2,104 million). Other expenses came in at Rs 371 crore (Rs 3,715 million), slightly lower than Rs 393 crore (Rs 3,938 million) in FY25.
On the balance sheet front, total assets expanded to Rs 4,961 crore (Rs 49,610 million) as of March 31, 2026, from Rs 3,532 crore (Rs 35,322 million) a year earlier, driven largely by a surge in inventories to Rs 2,672 crore (Rs 26,718 million). Equity also strengthened to Rs 1,803 crore (Rs 18,030 million), nearly doubling from Rs 911 crore (Rs 9,107 million).
Cash flows reflected the cost of growth. Net cash used in operating activities stood at Rs 199 crore (Rs 1,990 million), while investing activities saw an outflow of Rs 239 crore (Rs 2,392 million). Financing activities, however, generated Rs 497 crore (Rs 4,971 million), helping the company end the year with cash and cash equivalents of Rs 108 crore (Rs 1,075 million), up from Rs 49 crore (Rs 487 million).
Earnings per share for FY26 came in at Rs 1.10, a sharp improvement from a negative Rs 79.74 in FY25, underlining the shift from losses to profitability.
With revenue scaling up, costs still glittering on the higher side, and profitability finally back in the black, BlueStone’s FY26 performance suggests a business mid-transition less about shine alone, and more about sustaining it.
