Kunal Kapoor: Man of many parts
Jewel Thief is a rollercoaster ride, with one twist after another. It's great popcorn entertainment. People believe such films are easier to make vis--vis serious projects, but they require a great amount of craft too. I played the role of a tough cop, a welcome departure from the peacemaker, philosopher or poet I usually am on screen. I didn't share much screen space with Jaideep, but it was great spending time with Saif.Q. You are also an entrepreneur. What led you to establish a crowdfunding platform over a decade ago?I have always been a nerd with a keen interest in technology. And then there's the part of me that wanted to help people. The idea was to leverage technology and create a transparent platform where those who sought help could reach out to individuals capable of providing financial assistance. That's how Ketto came to life.advertisementQ. What's next on the cards?I am co-producing a dramedy, which should hopefully go on the floors this year. It's too early to speak about it. I have also just finished a Telugu film, Vishwambhara, starring Chiranjeevi. I play the role of the antagonist, something I have never done before.Subscribe to India Today MagazineMust Watch
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Amazon Music strikes a new chord with podcasts, Prime and Alexa to stand apart
Audio streaming business continues to struggle in India, as most platforms offer similar music catalogues, lacking in novelty or innovation and failing to drive subscriptions. Amid a sea of soundalike tracks, Amazon Music is striking a new chord to soar above the noise. It is following a three-pronged approach to stay more relevant than the others. It is offering a completely ad-free experience that doesn't charge customers separately and is part of the Amazon Prime bundle along with video and shopping, a top company official said. It is also producing a range of exclusive podcasts and video content with artistes in addition to songs. And finally, it aims to benefit from the Amazon consumer tech ecosystem, including Fire TVs and Alexa devices that can help improve the listening experience. 'For us, the differentiation (from other players) comes from the fact that we are an ad-free, on-demand product. We're not charging customers separately because it's all within the Prime bundle," Rishabh Gupta, country head, Amazon Music India, said in an interview. 'On the content side, we do a lot of exclusive podcasts and bring fans closer to artistes via video IPs (intellectual properties)." As far as local languages go, the platform hosts content in 20-plus languages, with Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu and Punjabi forming the top five, Gupta added. On the Android app, the user interface supports nine languages. The platform that has seen engagement surge since the pandemic. Gupta said that podcast customer listening hours are up 22% over 2024. While Hindi remains its most streamed language with an 84% customer spread, followed by English and Punjabi at 63%, Tamil and Telugu are witnessing strong growth, too, driven by curated regional playlists and improved discovery features. Gupta said the service is fully committed to being seen as a part of the Prime bundle and has witnessed great traction among consumers, in turn, helping the Prime program (including video and shopping) significantly. 'People who use multiple benefits have been some of our longest-serving Prime customers," Gupta added. As a DSP (distribution service provider), Gupta said the platform doesn't necessarily dictate as to what content needs to be produced. However, besides the music catalogue that comes via acquisitions from both from the film and non-film genres, Amazon Music is creating some of its own video and editorial IPs. This shoulder content, ranging from 2 to 20-minute videos, touches upon themes like what may be going on in an artiste's mind before going on stage at a concert, and so on. Further, while the platform is open to all kinds of podcasts, it targets some exclusive and early access deals as well. Podcast content now makes up approximately 15% of total user engagement on the platform. To be sure, the audio business in India, across regions and languages, is facing its share of challenges. Film producers, independent artistes and music labels are grappling with the shutdown of multiple streaming platforms, including Airtel's Wynk, ByteDance's Resso and Hungama Music, which failed to crack the paid subscription model. Others, such as Spotify, have halved per-stream payouts. Despite a rich musical heritage and wide consumption across the country, the Indian music segment declined by 2% to ₹5,300 crore in 2024, according to the annual Ficci EY media and entertainment report. Digital revenue, the biggest chunk of the segment, fell from 68% of total revenue in 2023 to 62.4% last year. The Indian music industry recorded 192 million free streamers in 2024, as compared to 12 million paid streamers, reaffirming that platforms have been forced to depend heavily on advertising revenue. However, Gupta is optimistic. 'India is an evolving country and a growing market for all kinds of businesses, including music, which is currently at the centre stage of the art and culture landscape. The space is constantly evolving with developments in technology and marketing, not to mention a continuous endeavour to grow bigger and better," Gupta said. 'As a country, we've advanced exponentially—just see how easy it is to make digital payments today and compare it to how it was three to four years back when we were all cash dependent. And while this has nothing to do with the music industry, it has aided the subscription economy, not just for the music industry, but for video-on-demand and everything else. So, every few years we see a new addition, mostly a better one, to the existing norms and processes that suddenly drive some sort of hockey stick growth for the industry, and I think for music, it's probably just around the corner," he added.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
City-wide carnival planned across Vijayawada for Dasara
Vijayawada: In a major move to elevate Dasara celebrations in the city, the NTR district administration has unveiled plans to organise the Vijayawada carnival, a city-wide annual festival that will coincide with the traditional Kanaka Durga Navaratri festivities. Until now, Dasara in Vijayawada was largely centred on the Indrakiladri hill and the famous Kanaka Durga temple. However, this year, the celebrations are set to expand across the city, turning Vijayawada into a hub of festive activity. With just 60 days remaining for the festival, officials have ramped up preparations. The carnival will feature daily processions and cultural programmes along Bandar Road, aiming to involve people from all walks of life. A major attraction will be helicopter rides from the Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium, giving visitors a bird's-eye view of the city and its festive glow. Adding to the excitement, the administration is also planning a drone light show every evening at Punnami Ghat, promising a spectacular visual display. Meanwhile, the Krishna district industrial and agricultural exhibition society will host a ten-day film-themed cultural extravaganza at its Gollapudi grounds. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The programme will include free movie screenings, music concerts, audio launch events, and celebrations of Telugu cinema. Vijayawada MP Kesineni Shivanath (Chinni), NTR district collector Dr Lakshmisha, and city police commissioner SP Rajasekhar Babu are jointly overseeing the festival preparations. MP Chinni emphasised that the aim is to make Vijayawada synonymous with Dasara celebrations across India—just like Mysore and Kolkata. Collector Dr Lakshmisha highlighted the initiative's goal to offer residents more recreational opportunities and attract tourists from other states. She noted that full details of the carnival schedule would be released soon. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
India Today
8 hours ago
- India Today
How friendship shapes expression, energy and the bonds we create
Friendship has always been more than just a word it's a feeling, a rhythm, a kind of energy that moves through every part of our lives. Whether in small daily moments or big milestones, the presence of true friends often defines the way we remember and experience childhood laughter to adult conversations over chai, real friendship remains a constant anchor. It gives us confidence, fuels our passions, and sometimes even becomes the quiet voice that guides us when nothing else feels clear. As the world gets louder and faster, these honest connections stand out even not just about having people around, it's about feeling understood without explanation, about sharing both silence and celebration. In creative spaces, in workplaces, in everyday life, when you're surrounded by people who uplift you, everything feels more possible. Moments shared with friends often become the most vivid. A late-night drive, an unplanned trip, a shared song, or a heartfelt talk, these are the things that stay long after the moment has passed. That's why friendship remains one of the most universal and lasting sources of more than ever, people are returning to what's real. In every corner of life, there's a growing value placed on honesty, connection, and the kind of friendship that doesn't need to be explained, just a world that often moves too fast, it's the moments of genuine connection that leave a lasting impact. Whether it's a shared laugh, an unspoken understanding, or simply showing up for each other, friendship has a quiet power to transform the ordinary into something light of that, India Today spoke with KING, an artist who recently took part in the House of McDowell's Soda Yaari Jam in the Sky an exclusive jam session hosted mid-air on a private charter one-of-a-kind experience brought together artists and creators to celebrate friendship and shared energy in a truly unforgettable setting. In a candid conversation, KING reflected on how real connections have shaped his journey, the influence of meaningful bonds, and why yaari continues to be a powerful force on and off the believes that music hits hardest when it's based on real-life moments, not manufactured ideas.'Whatever I write comes from my own life. "That's what shapes my music,' KING said.'And I think that's why listeners connect with it, because it's real.'Rather than chasing trends, KING allows his personal journey, including his friendships, to guide his sound and ENERGY MATTERS IN THE CREATIVE PROCESSFor KING, creativity is deeply tied to the vibes and energy of the people around him.'We're all moving on a certain frequency, shaped by the people and energy around us whether it's yaari, relationships, or work,' he believes that when you're surrounded by the right people, you naturally make better, more meaningful ALONE DOESN'T MEAN BEING ALONEadvertisementWhile KING has built his career as a solo artist, he values the rare moments when he gets to collaborate with others and just have fun with the process.'I've been running a solo career for the past 5–6 years, so when something like this comes along—where brotherhood and yaari take center stage—it's just incredible,' he also mentioned how much he enjoyed stepping outside his usual solo space, especially while performing alongside other artists.'Getting to meet and vibe with others from the industry... made the whole experience even more special.'Whether you're making it or listening to it, music becomes more powerful when it's shared with friends.'Friendship is like breathing it's essential,' KING said simply.'Sure, you can enjoy music on your own, but when you're surrounded by your friends, the vibe completely changes.'Music isn't just about melody and lyrics it's about the moment and the people you share it in today's industry, where competition can often feel intense, KING still believes in the importance of authentic relationships.'Of course there's room for real yaari! 'Yeh dosti hum nahi chhodenge' still hits because it's built on that same emotion,' he connection, he says, has always value both in life and in the of the highlights from KING's performance was his joint track with Karma titled 'Goat Shit', a collaboration filled with high energy and mutual respect.'Goat Shit—that's the track we performed together, and honestly, it says it all,' KING smiled.'It's about being the best at what you do, and that's exactly how I see Karma always bringing his A-game.'Moments like these show that when friendship meets talent, the result is unforgettable the end, friendship isn't just something we hold onto it's something that holds us together. Whether it shows up in quiet support, shared laughter, or moments of spontaneous connection, it reminds us of who we are and what truly life continues to move forward, it's these bonds authentic, unfiltered, and built on mutual respect that carry the greatest meaning. No matter the path we walk, having people by our side makes the journey richer, lighter, and far more unforgettable.- Ends
