iWorld
Sony LIV to premiere ‘Chhalle Mundiyan’ on 23 September
Mumbai: Sony LIV has announced the exclusive premiere of “Chhalle Mundiyan” on Sony LIV on 23 September. The direct-to-OTT rom-com film is directed by Sunil Puri and will release as part of Sony LIV’s efforts to enhance its regional content library.
“Chhalle Mundiyan” stars Ammy Virk, Mandy Thakar, and also features Kulwinder Billa, Karamjit Anmol, Soniya Kaur, BN Sharma, Banninder Bunny, and Nisha Bano in prominent roles. The film is directed by debutante Sunil Puri and produced by Guramritpal Singh and Gurjitpal Singh.
Commenting on the movie, actor Ammy Virk said, “The drama of confusion, chaos, hope and love will be relatable for the audience. Pammi’s character is strong with many layers attached to it, making it an interesting watch. I’m glad I was able to be a part of it and work with such an amazing crew. I’m looking forward to its release on SonyLIV on 23 September.”
Set against the backdrop of Punjab, “Chhalle Mundiyan” traces the life of Jassi (Mandy Thakar) and foreign returned Pammi (Ammy Virk) with a Caucasian woman and a child of his friend.
Actor Mandy Thakar added, “This is my first OTT original, and I am super excited to be part of it. OTT as a format gives wide reach and opportunity for actors as well as the content. The film “Chhalle Mundiyan” undoubtedly is a family entertainer and a quirky watch. I hope the viewers will love the romantic comedy of errors wholeheartedly and continue showering their love and support to us.”
e-commerce
American Express to acquire AI startup Hyper to boost automation
Deal targets expense management as AI reshapes corporate spending tools.
MUMBAI: From receipts to robots, the expense sheet is getting a brain upgrade as American Express moves to bring artificial intelligence into the heart of corporate spending. The company has announced plans to acquire Hyper, a relatively young but fast-rising startup founded in 2022 that builds AI-powered agents capable of organising expenses, generating reports, verifying compliance with budgets and policies, and nudging users with timely reminders. The deal, expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, underscores a growing shift among financial institutions to automate traditionally manual, time-heavy workflows.
Hyper counts Sam Altman among its backers, adding a layer of Silicon Valley credibility to the acquisition. While financial details remain undisclosed, the strategic intent is clear: deepen automation capabilities and sharpen American Express’s position in the competitive corporate spending ecosystem.
The two companies are not strangers. They previously collaborated in 2024 on a co-branded credit card product, suggesting that the acquisition is less a cold buy and more an extension of an existing relationship. With this move, American Express is effectively bringing that capability in-house, aiming to embed AI directly into its commercial services stack.
Chief executive Stephen Squeri had already signalled the direction of travel in a recent shareholder letter, describing AI as a “structural shift” in how businesses operate. The Hyper acquisition appears to be a direct response to that shift, particularly in expense management, where processes such as approvals, compliance checks and reporting remain ripe for automation.
Alongside the acquisition, the company is also expanding its product suite. A recently launched business credit card offers cashback and benefits at an annual fee of $295, with another card expected later this year moves that complement its broader push into commercial services.
Taken together, the strategy points to a future where managing expenses may require fewer spreadsheets and more algorithms. For American Express, the bet is simple, if businesses are rethinking how work gets done, the tools that power that work need to evolve just as quickly.
