Music and Youth
MTV’s Ryan Mendonca signs with BANG BANG as Director
MUMBAI: Armed with over a decade of experience in the world of advertising, Mendonca started his filmmaking career at MTV, where he was National Creative Head until last month, leading the team at MTV and MTV Beats, pushing creative boundaries with branded communications across digital and branded content. Prior to this, he was Group Creative Director at Ogilvy & Mather, where he developed iconic campaigns for Unilever, Cadbury, BCCI and more and rose rapidly to Group Creative Director.
His experience has earned him many accolades like Copywriter of the Year and Social Thinker of the Year by The Advertising Club of India. His other laurels include winning at Cannes, The One Show, London International, Spikes Asia, Promax Asia, WARC, Effies (India and Asia), AMEs, Kyoorius, and Young Guns to name a few.
Speaking on the signing, Ryan Mendonca says, “Goes without saying I’m excited to be partnering Roopak and the team at BANG BANG. The plan is no different from what it’s been so far– to try and tell big stories, beautifully. Except this time around I’ll be directing them as well. Can’t wait to start.”
Roopak Saluja, Founder & Chief Executive Officer – The 120 Media Collective, comments, “Sometimes you just know someone's going to make a kickass Director; they tend to exude a special storytelling ability and a keen eye for detail. I've known Ryan over the years and have always been a fan of his abilities. He's definitely that guy. Watch out world, here comes Ryan Mendonca! "
MUMBAI: Mumbai is about to witness something it has never seen before. The Global Youth Festival arrives on 6-7 December at Jio World Garden with 15,000 attendees and 60-plus experiences sprawled across six sprawling arenas. On its sixth edition, this is no ordinary jamboree—it is a carefully orchestrated collision of wellness, adventure, arts, music, yoga and social change.
Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis will throw open the proceedings with a landmark ceremony, signalling the state’s backing for a movement that has already mobilised youth across 20-plus countries and 170-plus cities. The sheer scale is staggering: 500-plus volunteers powering the machine, 600,000-plus volunteer hours logged across previous editions, and millions of lives touched annually.
The speaker roster is formidable. Diipa Büller-Khosla and Dipali Goenka, chief executive of Welspun India, will share the stage with Malaika Arora in conversations spanning leadership, creativity and culture. Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Mansukhbhai Mandaviya will also attend, reinforcing GYF’s reach into the corridors of power.
But this is not mere talk. The Solaris Mainstage promises concerts from renowned Indian artists. Innerverse delivers a 360-degree LED spectacle of art, technology and sound. The Love and Care Arena houses hands-on projects spanning women’s empowerment, child education, rural upliftment and animal welfare. India’s largest outdoor sound-healing experience awaits. An inflatable obstacle course, neon drifter karts and open-sky bouldering cater to thrill-seekers.
Some have branded GYF the “Coachella of Consciousness.” Others call it “India’s Largest Sober Festival.” Spiritual visionary Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji, who inspired the festival, will deliver the Wisdom Masterclass. Every rupee goes to charity.
After Mumbai comes Kolkata on 14 December. New York looms next year. For one weekend in December, Mumbai becomes the epicentre of youth-driven change—and nothing will be quite the same after.
Tickets available on BookMyShow. Visit youthfestival.srmd.org or follow @globalyouthfestival on Instagram.
