iWorld
Vice explores India’s gully rap in first documentary for Voot
MUMBAI: Vice India, a leading youth media brand for the first time has produced a documentary on the gully rap scenario in India named Kya Bolta Bantai for the video on demand platform by Viacom18, Voot. Vice India’s first 30-minute standalone long form documentary charts the evolution of gully rap – an emerging genre of music that is slowly gaining momentum and entering the mainstream, being co-opted by Bollywood and other commercial ventures.
Kya Bolta Bantai is directed by Naman Saraiya and explores the journey of gully rap through the perspective of pioneers, including crew members such as Dopeadelicz, Swadesi and spoof rappers Gari-B, of comedy collective Tadpatri Talkies.
This partnership comes as part of the company’s “off-platform” strategy after the announcement of full-scale operations under the Vice.com banner in April this year, to allow its select original as well as partner content to be hosted and promoted to viewers across multiple destinations in the digital ecosystem. For instance, Kanchenjunga Calling, a series that explores the journey of a real-life hero Arjun Vajpai as he attempts to climb Mt Kangchenjunga. Vice India’s first foray into partner content creation in India with Mountain Dew, PepsiCo, is also being distributed on Voot as part of this deal.
“It is our endeavour as a full-scale media company to be omnipresent; establish strategic partnerships to take what we create to an environment where the relevant viewers are already consuming rich content. Kya Bolta Bantai is an attempt to create content that is relatable to the youth of the country in a unique format of storytelling that is true to the pulse of not only Mumbai, but our country at large,” said Vice India CEO Chanpreet Arora as quoted by Dailyhunt.
Vice India has been producing local video and editorial content on various topics such as food, music, politics, sports, sex, identity, nightlife, arts, and comedy, in partnership with relevant influencers, brands and artists in the country. In the coming month, it will focus on covering sex-positive stories about sexual identities, sex toys, sex art, and more in India under the banner of ‘The VICE Guide to Sex in India’.
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Chanpreet Arora appointed CEO of Vice Media India
Gaming
Skyesports, GodLike Esports sign MoU with Maharashtra Cyber
Partnership promotes esports growth and cyber hygiene across the state.
MUMBAI: Skyesports and Godlike Esports just teamed up with Maharashtra Cyber because when you’re levelling up gaming in India, even the police want to join the squad. Skyesports, India’s leading esports and gaming IP builder, and premier organisation Godlike Esports have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Maharashtra Cyber, the state’s nodal cyber security office, to foster esports development while embedding cyber hygiene and online safety practices across Maharashtra.
The agreement, formalised during a closed-door meeting in Mumbai, aligns with the state’s push to grow the orange economy and positions Maharashtra as a rising hub for digital gaming and esports. It emphasises responsible participation, cyber awareness and safe digital conduct among gamers and youth.
Under the MoU, Skyesports will organise and promote tournaments and community initiatives infused with cyber hygiene messaging. GodLike Esports will contribute through professional player mentorship, community engagement and awareness programmes encouraging positive behaviour. Maharashtra Cyber will support safety campaigns and promote responsible online practices within the ecosystem.
Skyesports founder and CEO Shiva Nandy said, “The growth of esports requires strong collaboration between the industry and government stakeholders. This MoU with Maharashtra Cyber represents an important step toward strengthening Maharashtra’s esports ecosystem through responsible gaming initiatives and grassroots engagement.”
Maharashtra Cyber additional director general of police Yashasvi Yadav added, “As esports continues to grow rapidly among young audiences, it is equally important to promote safe and responsible digital practices within the gaming ecosystem.”
Godlike Esports, founder Chetan “Kronten” Chandgude noted, “The true growth of esports in India lies in strengthening its roots at the grassroots level. This collaboration will support the state’s vision of building a strong and sustainable esports ecosystem.”
Eyrie Entertainment will cover and amplify Maharashtra Cyber’s cyber awareness activities across events and campaigns.
The partnership reflects a forward-looking effort to nurture Maharashtra’s esports talent pipeline while ensuring rapid growth is matched by strong digital safety guardrails. Further initiatives, tournaments and outreach programmes are expected to be announced soon.
In a state where gaming is levelling up faster than broadband speeds, this MoU isn’t just paperwork, it’s a power-up that turns players into safer, smarter pros, one secure headshot at a time.
