iWorld
Truecaller appoints Hemant Arora as vice-president of global ad sales
MUMBAI: Global communications platform Truecaller has announced the appointment of Hemant Arora as the new vice-president of global ad sales business. This strategic move aims to bolster Truecaller’s advertising division, which represents the company’s largest revenue stream, while refining its global ad sales strategy.
With over 25 years of industry experience, Arora has a proven track record of driving revenue growth and managing global operations for some of the world’s most recognized media and technology companies. His previous roles include serving as head of global accounts for Europe, APAC, and the METAP regions at TikTok, where he demonstrated his ability to foster relationships with key stakeholders and manage complexities in fast-paced environments.
“Truecaller is uniquely positioned at the intersection of technology, trust, and communications,” Arora stated upon his appointment. “I am excited to join a talented team and look forward to driving impactful growth while deepening our partnerships globally.”
His extensive experience includes establishing revenue growth business units, which will be crucial as Truecaller seeks to expand its advertising portfolio and integrate innovative solutions.
Truecaller CEO Rishit Jhunjhunwala, emphasised the importance of Arora’s appointment, noting his extensive background in building scalable revenue models and navigating global markets. “Hemant’s leadership will further strengthen our vision to revolutionize how brands connect with consumers and maximize the potential of our platform,” Jhunjhunwala commented.
Truecaller serves over 425 million active users worldwide, making it one of the most widely used communication platforms. The company’s growth has been bolstered by its ability to identify and block nearly 46 billion unwanted calls in 2023 alone, showcasing its effectiveness in improving user experience.
iWorld
Prime Video to stream Tamil thriller Exam from May 15
Seven-episode series from National Award-winner A. Sarkunam streams in India and 240-plus countries
MUMBAI: Prime Video announced on April 27th that Exam, a taut seven-episode suspense drama set against the crucible of high-stakes competitive testing, will premiere on May 15th in India and across more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
Written and directed by A. Sarkunam, a National Award-winner, the series is produced under the Wallwatcher Films banner by the creative duo Pushkar and Gayatri, who have previously delivered Suzhal: The Vortex (both seasons) and Vadhandhi: The Fable of Velonie for the platform. Dushara Vijayan and Aditi Balan lead the cast, with Abbas in a pivotal role.
The show will stream in Tamil with dubbed versions in Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada, and subtitles in 15 languages, including English, a distribution sweep that underscores Prime Video’s push to globalise Indian regional content.
Nikhil Madhok, director and head of originals at Prime Video India, framed the series as both timely and commercially astute. “Exam is a very timely and relevant story that captures the emotional intensity of competitive exams and masterfully transforms it into a thrilling high-stakes drama,” he said. “We believe it is a story that will resonate deeply with millions.” Madhok noted that it was a privilege to once again collaborate with Pushkar and Gayatri following the success of Suzhal and Vadhandhi.
For Pushkar and Gayatri, the series is as much a moral reckoning as a thriller. “With Exam, we wanted to dig into ambition, injustice, and those moral crossroads that people face when pushed to the edge,” the creative producers said. “At the heart of this story is a young woman who refuses to remain powerless. Her journey is not about glamorising defiance, but about exploring the emotional and ethical cost of standing up to a system stacked against her.” They described Prime Video as “an incredible collaborator” and “the perfect home” to bring the series to global audiences.
Wallwatcher Films, which Pushkar and Gayatri founded and run, has been on a productive streak with the platform. Beyond Exam, the company is also readying Vadhandhi Season 2 for Prime Video, making the duo one of the platform’s most active regional creative partners.
The real exam, it seems, is for Prime Video itself: can a Tamil drama about systemic injustice and a young woman’s defiance crack audiences from Chennai to Chicago? If Pushkar and Gayatri’s track record is anything to go by, the answer is likely yes, and the results will be out on May 15th.
