iWorld
Planet Marathi founder launches ‘Planet Goem’ for exclusive Konkani content
Mumbai: Planet Marathi founder Akshay Bardapurkar has revealed his new venture, Planet Goem, which is an exclusive Konkani content OTT. The entity aims at boosting Goa’s media, entertainment, and cultural economy and was launched by the Goa chief minister Dr. Pramod Sawant. The app’s brand ambassador, renowned actress Sonalee Kulkarni, was also present at the grand unveiling launch.
Planet Goem, an over-the-top (OTT) service, will offer exclusive Konkani language content in the form of movies, web series, chat shows, plays, short-format videos, music, news, and much more.
It will be possible to access this over-the-top platform on any Android, iOS, or TV device. Beyond just being an OTT, Planet Goem wants to establish Goa as a top spot for media and entertainment needs. Accordingly, a film institute will be built in the state and affiliated with a reputable international university.
To educate students for the impending digital era, some courses will be provided in animation, web 3.0 technologies, gaming, and blockchain. To improve the employability of young people and individuals across India, this skill centre will provide diploma, degree, and certificate courses as well as masterclasses from top teachers. To further this along, a partnership with multinational firms like There Digital, Unreal Engine, and Kingdom Technologies will be formed. These firms will be brought to Goa to set up studio services that would entice top-tier performers and filmmakers to work there.
With an emphasis on talent, education, entertainment, and technology, Akshay now hopes to reform and revitalise Goa’s media and entertainment sector. Akshay Bardapurkar met with the Goa chief minister earlier this year to explore the prospects and potential of the industry, and he has since revealed his vision.
During the launch, Goa chief minister Dr Pramod Sawant said, “Our state welcomes Planet Goem with open arms. The various offerings, including OTT, the film institute, and the skill centre, are a welcome boost to our economy, which will benefit from being diversified from its dependence on tourism. Our rich cultural heritage and language will now get an organised web platform aimed at increasing the recognition and popularity of our humble Konkani industry. We are confident about Akshay Bardapurkar’s vision for the industry, careers, and facilities and will extend our support towards initiatives meant for the betterment of Goa.”
Planet Marathi OTT and Planet Goem founder & CEO Akshay Bardapurkar said, “Regional industries are an untapped gold mine of immense potential and power. Planet Marathi OTT has seen a great run in Goa and has earned eager audiences who have given Marathi content so much love. Goa’s entertainment sector remains unexplored, and we wish to put the spotlight on the capabilities of this industry and its talent. Our focus will be to advance opportunities for the state of Goa by creating varied opportunities through web content, learning and training avenues and by creating Goa’s very own film city.”
Planet Goem aims to take Goa beyond being a tourist destination and entice professionals to the state’s entertainment industry.
e-commerce
ITC Sunfeast, Zepto host mango-themed experiential ‘Paglu Party’
Event blends Alphonso desserts, DIY sessions and interactive formats
MUMBAI: When mango season peaks, some savour it others go full ‘paglu’. ITC Sunfeast Baked Creations, in collaboration with Zepto, turned summer indulgence into an immersive brand experience with its ‘Mango Paglu Party’, a high-energy, mango-themed event designed to blur the line between dessert and discovery. Built around the brand’s ‘Mad Over Mangoes’ universe, the space leaned into a sensory overload bright, playful and unapologetically mango-drenched. From curated installations to social-first corners, every element was designed to be as shareable as it was experiential.
At the centre of the celebration was the fruit itself, elevated into a menu crafted using fresh, carbide-free Alphonso mangoes sourced by Zepto. The spread ranged from a flaky Mango Pista Kouign Aman to Mango Coconut Serradura Pudding and a Mango Mascarpone Cake, balancing indulgence with seasonal freshness.
But this was not a passive tasting affair. Guests were drawn into the experience through interactive formats, including a DIY dessert session led by the brand’s chef, where attendees created classics like Mango Tres Leches. Zepto chief business officer Chandan Mehndiratta also joined the session, adding a touch of brand personality to the proceedings.
A quirky highlight came in the form of the ‘Aam Paglu Prescription’, a playful, doctor-themed concept that positioned mango indulgence as the only “treatment” worth taking, turning a simple insight into a memorable activation.
The event built up to a theatrical finale, with the crowning of the ‘Aam Paglu of the Day’ followed by the cutting of an oversized mango-shaped Mango Mascarpone Cake, closing the experience on a high note.
More than just a seasonal showcase, the Mango Paglu Party reflects a broader shift in brand storytelling, where products are no longer just consumed, but experienced. For ITC Sunfeast Baked Creations and Zepto, mango season was not just about flavour, it was about creating a moment that audiences could step into, engage with and, quite literally, devour.
