iWorld
Viacom18 hires ex Vice Media India CEO Chanpreet Arora, Vineet Govil to strengthen digital arm
KOLKATA: In key leadership appointments, Viacom18 has brought on Chanpreet Arora as AVoD (Voot) business head, and Vineet Govil as chief technology officer of its digital ventures vertical.
In her new role, Arora will drive Viacom18’s streaming platform Voot and lead partnerships that are key to the OTT’s overall growth. Govil will be responsible for strengthening the product’s tech play by offering a more seamless and immersive experience for consumers.
Arora has close to two decades of experience across strategy, revenue, partnerships and sales operations with media and digital brands. She was responsible for successfully launching Vice Media in India as its CEO. She was also associated with The New York Times, Times Internet, Buddh International Circuit – Formula One, India, and Ernst & Young in her previous roles.
Prior to joining Viacom18 Digital Ventures, Govil was heading Sling Media’s (a subsidiary of Dish Network Inc, USA) India Development Centre as vice president. With over 26 years of experience in product and technology development across domains, his career spans across areas of embedded software, multimedia streaming (OTT), IoT and wireless telecom, cloud and more. He was also a part of Sasken Technologies and ISRO Ahmedabad.
Viacom18 Digital Ventures COO Gourav Rakshit said, “We are delighted to welcome Chanpreet and Vineet to our team as we accelerate our growth to transform the digital streaming space for our users. While Chanpreet is a recognised expert in the Indian media industry with an in-depth understanding and knowledge of the entire digital ecosystem, Vineet is a domain expert and is recognised for building world class products through continuous technological innovations. Together with their exemplary leadership and ability to innovate, we are certain of taking Viacom18 Digital Ventures to greater heights. We are confident that we will further consolidate our position through a more digital-first focused approach.”
Viacom18 Digital Ventures AVoD (Voot) business head Chanpreet Arora said, “My journey in the digital ecosystem has been enriching so far. I look forward to working with the team at Viacom18 to grow the business further and deliver significant value to our partners.”
Viacom18 Digital Ventures CTO Vineet Govil said, “I am excited to be a part of a business that is young and successful with three distinct offerings. I look forward to working with the digital team on enhancing the platforms and hope to bring in some excitement from a viewers’ perspective. Streaming is all about experience and this is something we will work closely on to accelerate growth.”
iWorld
Prime Video and Hrithik Roshan reunite for quirky heist comedy Mess
HRX Films expands pact with quirky heist comedy set for production
MUMBAI: Prime Video is doubling down on its partnership with Hrithik Roshan, announcing a new comedy film Mess that promises chaos, chuckles and a clever twist on the classic heist.
Produced by Hrithik Roshan and Eshaan Roshan under HRX Films, a division of FilmKraft Productions, the film is being made in association with Soda Films Lab. Directed by Rajesh A Krishnan, Mess marks the second collaboration between the streaming platform and HRX Films after the upcoming thriller Storm.
At the heart of Mess lies an unusual premise. A group of robbers break into the home of a man with OCD, only to find themselves outmatched in a night-long standoff that flips the script on who is really in control. It is a set-up that blends tension with humour, turning a break-in into a breakdown of expectations.
Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok said, “A good story should surprise and entertain, and Mess does both with ease. It brings together a unique premise, memorable characters and a tone that keeps you laughing throughout.”
He added that the collaboration with HRX Films continues to grow stronger, with the new film reflecting a shared appetite for bold and original storytelling.
Hrithik Roshan said, “After Storm, Mess feels like a natural next step in our journey with Prime Video. The film captures the kind of unconventional storytelling we want to champion, with Rajesh bringing a distinctive voice to the narrative.”
Director Rajesh A Krishnan said, “The world of Mess is a mix of comedy and chaos, unusual enough to keep audiences on edge while still delivering humour. It has been a deeply collaborative and creatively fulfilling experience.”
The original screenplay comes from Paul Soter, with adaptation and dialogues by Kapil Sawant, adding another layer of craft to the film’s offbeat narrative.
As production gears up, Mess looks ready to live up to its name, serving up a delightful tangle of mayhem, mischief and movie magic for audiences in India and beyond.
