iWorld
SonyLiv’s content mirroring contemporary trends key differentiator, says Uday Sodhi
MUMBAI: Lives today are a rigmarole of never-ending deadlines, household chores, family commitments and work life pressures. This cyclical orchestra of mounting pressures and waning pleasures leave an indelible impact on modern day relationships. With its focus on compelling storytelling that mirrors trends in our society, SonyLIV released its two latest short films – ‘Papa We Love You Too’ and ‘The Gift’ and had the celebrities participate in an engaging discussion on the subject – ‘Digital storytelling that mirrors relationship trends in contemporary Indian Society.’
In its endeavour to present great narratives coupled with exemplary performances and production values, SonyLIV is creating ripples in digital entertainment with the release of its short films. Starring actors Jimmy Shergill, Lekh Tandon, Gul Panag, Mandira Bedi and Kushal Punjabi both films are poised to resonate with the audiences and take them on a reflective entertainment journey.
The film ‘Papa We Love You Too’ revolves around the protagonist Vikas, portrayed by Jimmy Shergill, who is a 40-year old single parent. A workaholic, his life centers around his professional achievements and materialistic acquisitions, eventually weakening his bond with his 8-year old son. The shadow of this relationship is also reflected in the one that Vikas shares with his father, played by veteran director, writer and actor Lekh Tandon.
‘The Gift’, on the other hand, is an edge-of-the-seat thriller which describes the complexities of contemporary relationships, with actors Kushal Punjabi, Gul Panag and Mandira Bedi portraying powerful roles. The stylized narrative lays special emphasis on the visuals while the quick paced editing throws light on how the ruthlessness of modern life and our overarching desires make us commit incomprehensible acts.
SonyLIV EVP Uday Sodhi says: “The key differentiator of SonyLIV versus other digital players is our ability to constantly provide content that mirrors trends in society. In the category of short films alone, we have a library of more than 500 originals. Compelling story telling coupled with superior performances is a winning formula for creating lasting impressions. These films echo our sustained efforts at providing our audiences with original, unique and thought-provoking content that resonates long after its runtime is over.”
Gaming
Roblox appoints Sunil Rao as India managing director to drive growth
Former AWS leader to lead creator ecosystem, partnerships and local strategy
MUMBAI: Roblox has appointed Sunil Rao as managing director for India, as the company looks to deepen its footprint in one of its fastest-growing markets.
Rao, who will join in May, will serve as the senior-most representative for Roblox in India, leading local strategy, partnerships and day-to-day operations. His mandate includes strengthening the platform’s presence, supporting the creator ecosystem and aligning India’s market needs with global priorities.
A key focus area will be nurturing India’s growing community of developers and creators, enabling local studios to leverage Roblox’s tools for scaling and monetisation. Globally, the platform’s creator community earned over $1.5 billion in 2025, underlining the economic potential of user-generated content ecosystems.
“Roblox is at the forefront of enabling a new generation of creators and games. India’s scale, creativity, and entrepreneurial energy present a massive opportunity,” said Rao. “I’m excited to build a vibrant and inclusive ecosystem that empowers developers and creators across the country. Ensuring child safety and aligning closely with India’s regulatory framework will be among my top priorities.”
Welcoming the appointment, Roblox vice president international Zhen Fang said India represents a high-potential market for the company. “Sunil brings deep expertise in building operations across diverse markets, and his passion for community-centric platforms makes him the ideal leader to drive our next chapter of growth in the country.”
Rao brings over two decades of experience across technology platforms, venture capital and developer ecosystems. He was previously part of the leadership team at Amazon Web Services, where he led strategy and corporate business development across Asia-Pacific and Japan. He also served as a partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, working closely with startups and founders.
Earlier in his career, Rao played a key role in building developer ecosystems at Symbian, Nokia and Google, contributing to the growth of major mobile and internet platforms.
With India’s large youth population and rapidly evolving digital landscape, Roblox’s latest leadership move signals a sharper focus on long-term growth, local relevance and creator-led innovation in the market.
