iWorld
Random Chikibum win OML’s YouTube Comedy Hunt
NEW DELHI: Random Chikibum have been named as the first ever winners of Comedy Hunt, India’s first web hunt by Only Much Louder’s (OML) to find the next comedy stars on YouTube.
They survived cheeky tasks and difficult challenges posed by the mentors, week after week, yet were able to impress the toughest and most competitive comedy brigade throughout the competition.
The comedy veterans of YouTube and mentors All India Bakchod (AIB), Kanan Gill & Biswa Kalyan Rath, SnG Comedy, East India Comedy, Jose Covaco, Abish Mathew, Aditi Mittal and Shudh Desi Endings had set out on a three-month long journey to give way to new talent and provide infinite unique opportunities to the audience.
The aim was to find a team that will make you laugh every time with most creative and unique videos.
The hunt saw participation from all over India – with 1578 entries from over 60 cities out of which just 40 entries were shortlisted. YouTube creators and judges of Comedy Hunt then sifted through the entries and shortlisted comedycreators on the basis of originality and creativity of the video content, during the most exciting seven weeks of challenge round put up by the mentors for over two months.
Finally with weekly eliminations process, Weird Communications, Take 900, Funny Brownies, Forked Up and Random Chikibum emerged as the Top 5 Comedy Hunt contenders.
Announcing the winner, AIB said, “When we started AIB, comedy was lesser known and looked down upon. But today we have come a long way and with pit stops such as Comedy Hunt, the race for being the king of comedy is truly rewarding. We would like to congratulate Random Chikibum, who withstood the test of time and even after much scrutiny, made us laugh each time.”
YouTube India head of content and operations Satyanarayan Raghavan added, “Comedy Hunt is India’s first ever show on the online platform that inspires creativity. In our efforts to bring the new talent and unleash their potential on the YouTube platform, we associated with Comedy Hunt. We are extremely happy with the tremendous response that the contest generated on YouTube.”
Sharing the stage with their mentors AIB, Kanan & Biswa, SnG & East India Company, Random Chikibum showed their excitement after winning the race to be funny and hooked the audience by sharing their experiences and inspirations throughout the entire competition.
Only Much Louder (OML) director Ajay Nair said, “The invincible success of Comedy Hunt is a true evidence of the changing face of comedy in India. We would like to extend our congratulations to Random Chikibum for winning the competition. We believe these shining stars of today are now all geared up to make India laugh, adding to their daily dose of laughter.”
Random Chikibum added, “What started as a source of laughter in closed rooms is today a recognised art on the digital platform. Winning Comedy Hunt 2015 is a dream come true for us and we owe it to all our mentors who have extended their unconditional support. We believe this is just the beginning of our dream journey and we promise to make you laugh every time.”
As part of the winning team, Random Chikibum will now get a chance to share the platform with some of the biggestcomedy creators and will be associated with major brands through exclusive contracts. Besides this, the team will also be rewarded with high quality equipment gear that will enable them to create many more unique content rich videos on YouTube.
e-commerce
Flipkart rolls out 105 per cent bonus for 20,000 employees
Strong FY25 performance drives payouts even as layoffs and shifts unfold.
MUMBAI: In a year where belts were tightened and rewards loosened, Flipkart seems to be playing both offence and defence trimming roles on one hand while handing out a generous 105 per cent bonus on the other. The Walmart owned e commerce major has rolled out a 105 per cent bonus payout for 2025, covering nearly 20,000 employees, signalling a year of steady operational momentum even as the company navigates restructuring pressures. The payout, communicated internally by chief human resources officer Seema Nair, is tied to performance across key metrics including growth, operational efficiency, financial outcomes and people indicators, a combination that suggests the company is inching closer to its long stated goal of sustainable profitability.
Employees at SD level and below are set to receive their bonuses in March, while payouts for senior leadership, including vice presidents and senior vice presidents, will follow after the close of the performance cycle. The elevated 105 per cent multiplier stands out in a sector where cautious payouts have increasingly become the norm, pointing to what appears to be a relatively strong internal scorecard for FY25.
Yet, the announcement arrives with a noticeable contrast. Earlier this year, Flipkart reduced its workforce by around 300 roles as part of its annual performance review process. While officially framed as performance driven, the juxtaposition of layoffs alongside above target bonuses reflects a more nuanced balancing act, one that prioritises cost discipline while continuing to reward and retain high performing talent.
This dual approach is becoming increasingly common across the technology and e commerce landscape, where companies are navigating an uneven hiring environment while under pressure to deliver profitability. Rewarding top contributors, even amid selective workforce reductions, allows firms to maintain morale and retain critical talent without losing sight of financial prudence.
At the same time, Flipkart is also undergoing leadership shifts that hint at a broader strategic recalibration. Nishant Verman has been appointed senior vice president for corporate development and partnerships, while group chief financial officer Sriram Venkataraman is set to step down. Ravi Iyer will take on expanded responsibilities within the finance function, marking a reshuffle at the top as the company gears up for its next phase.
These changes come amid reports that Flipkart is planning to shift its holding structure back to India, a move widely interpreted as groundwork for a potential public listing. While timelines remain fluid, the combination of stronger financial discipline, leadership restructuring and employee incentivisation suggests a company preparing itself for greater scrutiny and scale.
For employees, the 105 per cent payout offers a welcome boost in what has otherwise been a period of adjustment. For Flipkart, it is a signal that even as it cuts where necessary, it is willing to spend where it counts. In the high stakes game of growth versus profitability, the company appears to be hedging its bets carefully, rewarding performance while reshaping itself for what could be its most defining chapter yet.
