iWorld
VMate ropes Bhuvan Bam, Ashish Chanchlani for Holi campaign #VMateAsliHolibaaz
MUMBAI: Influencer marketing is the latest trend in promoting a brand. The marketing being cost-effective and less expensive, a video platform VMate has roped in YouTubers, Bhuvan Bam and Ashish Chanchlani, for a short campaign movie — #VMateAsliHolibaaz, produced by the company itself.
This is the first time that the two Youtubers, termed as rivals/competitors, will be seen together in one campaign film.
“The Youtubers’ only condition was that they wanted to be in their ‘own character and zone’ and wanted to remain themselves in the video,” said a VMate’s press statement.
Bhuvan Bam, who tops all lists of YouTubers in India, feels that VMate is a new platform that would be loved by all. Asked about the collaboration with VMate, he mentioned that his mother is also fond of the trending in short-video platforms.
Ashish Chanchlani, known for his slapstick comedy, added: “When VMate came to us, we both mutually agreed. We had just one condition that we will be ourselves. I am happy with the way things have shaped up.”
The YouTubers also dismissed all speculations of rivalry, referring to each other as the “closest friend in the community”.
It isn’t the first time that artists like Bhuvan Bam and Ashish Chanchlani have forayed into the world of short-video platforms. While the former has appeared on TikTok, the latter has earlier integrated some of VMate’s previous campaigns, such as New Year and #HappyValentinesDay challenge.
The emergence of short-video platforms has provided an unprecedented opportunity to several artists, who earlier thrived solely on the popularity of YouTube. For instance, popular YouTuber Awez Darbar, who choreographs songs featuring famous celebrities, has now become a prominent TikTok influencer.
iWorld
Subedaar puts Indian original cinema on the global map with record-breaking Prime Video debut
MUMBAI: Prime Video has a runaway hit on its hands. Subedaar, the gritty action drama starring Anil Kapoor, has stormed to become the most-watched Indian original movie on the platform in its opening weekend, cracking the Top 10 across 31 countries and landing in 91 per cent of India’s pin codes within days of its March 5 premiere.
The film, a visceral, emotionally-charged story of a retired soldier, Subedaar Arjun Maurya, wrestling with civilian life amid crime and corruption, has struck a nerve. Directed by Suresh Triveni and co-starring Radhikka Madan, Mona Singh, Saurabh Shukla, Aditya Rawal, Faisal Malik, and Khushboo Sundar, the film is already being hailed as a showcase for what Indian original storytelling can achieve on the world stage.
“Subedaar’s success is a reflection of the growing scale and global resonance of Indian storytelling,” said Nikhil Madhok, director and head of originals at Prime Video India. “The film’s emotional narrative, its rooted portrayal of a soldier confronting his toughest battles beyond the battlefield, has struck a chord. Anil Kapoor delivers an acting masterclass, while Suresh Triveni’s solid direction and great performances from the ensemble cast have resulted in love and appreciation from customers across the world.”
Kapoor, 62, has been here before, but rarely at this altitude. Written by Triveni and Prajwal Chandrashekar, with dialogues by Triveni, Saurabh Dwivedi, and Chandrashekar, the film is a production by Opening Image Films in association with Anil Kapoor Film & Communication Network (AKFCN), produced by Vikram Malhotra, Kapoor, and Triveni.
Subedaar streams exclusively on Prime Video in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu across India, and in over 240 countries and territories worldwide.
For Prime Video, the numbers tell the real story: one weekend, one film, a global footprint, and a very loud signal that Indian original cinema is no longer just travelling well. It’s arriving.
