How Actors Are Powering Up Their Immunity This Rainy Season!

The monsoon may bring a welcome break from the summer heat, but it also ushers in a season of fluctuating temperatures, waterborne illnesses, and weakened immunity. For television actors who juggle demanding shoot schedules, staying fit and infection-free is a top priority. To combat seasonal health risks, they turn to mindful eating habits that support immunity, focusing on warm, home-cooked meals, herbal concoctions, and nutrient-rich foods.

Sapna Sikarwar 1

&TV actors Sapna Sikarwar (Bimlesh, Happu Ki Ultan Paltan) and Aasif Sheikh (Vibhuti Mishra, Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai) share how they are boosting their immunity to stay healthy and active during the rains. Sapna Sikarwar, aka Bimlesh from Happu Ki Ultan Paltan, shares“During the monsoon, my focus is on strengthening my immunity through simple, home-based remedies. I avoid anything too oily or spicy, as it just doesn’t sit well during this season. Instead, I rely on warm soups, steamed veggies, and lots of herbal teas. I have made it a habit to start my mornings with warm water infused with tulsi and ginger—it helps with digestion and keeps me feeling energised. I also stock up on fruits like papaya and pomegranate; they are great for the skin and immunity. These small changes make a big difference in how I feel during the season.”

Aasif Sheikh 1

Aasif Sheikh, aka Vibhuti Narayan Mishra from Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai, shares, “Monsoons are beautiful, but they also mean a higher risk of infections. That’s why I never compromise on foods that help keep my immunity strong. I make it a point to include light, warm meals, things like moong dal, rice, and sautéed vegetables. My go-to immunity booster is a cup of herbal tea every evening; it’s soothing and effective. I stay away from street food during this time and drink plenty of warm water to stay hydrated. I have noticed that sticking to a clean, nutritious diet helps me stay mentally sharp and physically fit for long shoots. For me, the key to enjoying the monsoon season lies in simple, consistent efforts to eat right, as I believe wellness starts right from the kitchen.”

Watch Happu Ki Ultan Paltan at 10:00 PM and Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai at 10:30 PM, every Monday to Friday, only on &TV!

Hoopr Partners with IPRS to Strengthen Music Royalty Ecosystem in India

Hoopr

Mumbai, 25th June 2025, Hoopr – India’s first music licensing platform, announced a strategic partnership with the Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS), the leading copyright society for songwriter’s, composers, and publishers. This partnership aims to ensure proper, timely, and transparent royalty payments to music creators, and publishers whose work is licensed in branded and digital content via Hoopr’s microsync-licensing platform, hooprsmash.com.

At a time when India’s music industry is suffering from an estimated annual revenue loss of ₹8,000–10,000 crore in unearned royalties, this initiative is a step forward towards building an equitable ecosystem for artists. Hoopr Smash, now hosts over 18,500 tracks including Bollywood, indie, and regional music on its online platform. With brands and content creators generating over a million content pieces daily, the need for ethical licensing and monetization is beyond critical. Over the last 2 years, Hoopr has fortified its position in the music licensing industry using its tech platform to soundtrack 125+ brands and 18,000+ creators. Today, the platform hosts 21 label partners, 380+ artists, which positions Hoopr uniquely from a music supply and distribution perspective.

Hoopr’s partnership with IPRS marks a progressive step toward strengthening micro-sync licensing as a structured and scalable revenue stream for artists. This collaboration enables over 18,000 IPRS-registered members to benefit from structured monetisation opportunities in the fast-growing digital content space. By streamlining royalty disbursement through a tech-enabled process, the partnership aims to enhance transparency and timeliness — supporting creators more effectively in today’s fragmented content economy. This initiative also aligns with IPRS’s recent achievement of crossing ₹700 crore in royalty collections, underscoring a shared commitment to copyright compliance and improved artist remuneration across the industry.

Rakesh Nigam, CEO of IPRS, said: “This partnership opens new avenues of revenue for Owners Publishers by making music available for licensing to be used legitimately in brand storytelling, along with authors/creators, who will also benefit economically by such usage. For generations, music has added emotional depth to brand communication. Today, by bridging creativity with commercial possibilities, we are not only empowering owners/creators but also helping brands connect more meaningfully with their audiences—through music that is licensed, respected, and fairly rewarded.”

Gaurav Dagaonkar, Co-Founder & CEO of Hoopr, said: “Hoopr was created with a vision to make music licensing accessible, transparent, and equitable for all stakeholders. In India’s fast-growing creator economy, where music drives engagement, our partnership with IPRS bridges the compensation gap between content creators, artists, and music labels. Through this partnership with Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS), we are establishing a new standard of how digital platforms can contribute to the music ecosystem, through accountability of royalties in our licensing model. This is a long-overdue structural correction, and we’re proud to lead it.”

Meghna Mittal, Co-Founder of Hoopr, added: “The challenge with music licensing was never just about access; it is also about compliance and clarity. Our proprietary tech which powers Hoopr Smash, ensures that every licensed track is tracked, reported, and attributed to the rightful rights holder. This partnership is especially significant given Hoopr’s tech and platform-led digital payments system, built to align with IPRS’s backend infrastructure for seamless royalty disbursement to artists and labels. It empowers creators, especially regional and independent ones, to concentrate on their art with the assurance that their rights are being respected and compensated.”

By embedding structured royalty mechanisms into the digital licensing process, this partnership creates a new way of thinking about how India’s rapidly developing content economy can better serve the creative backbone of its economy. As regional music gains momentum and demand for culturally rooted soundtracks rises, initiatives like this are vital to ensure that artists, composers, and rights holders are not left behind in the monetization cycle. Furthermore, this also reflects IPRS Chairman Javed Akhtar’s long-standing commitment to ensuring that Indian music creators receive fair recognition and reward for their contributions across all digital platforms.

The Most Important Thing About Art is Freedom, says AR Rahman at IGF London 2025

25 June 2025, London: In a deeply personal and expansive conversation at the final day of India Global Forum London 2025 at Taj St. James’ Court, Academy Award-winning composer AR Rahman urged artists, institutions, and governments alike to nurture creative freedom and cultural innovation.

A R Rehman

“In cinema for over 40 years now, I was bored with the same rectangle form,” Rahman confessed. “It’s just seeing and hearing—what else can we do?” That question sparked Le Musk, Rahman’s pioneering immersive project which brings scent, touch, and narrative together. “The idea came from my ex-wife who loved perfumes. I thought, why not create a theatre experience with perfume and haptics?”

Now coming to London for a year, Le Musk is more than a film—it’s an artistic manifesto, showcasing Rahman’s continued defiance of convention.

The fireside chat turned from personal to philosophical, as Rahman explored the urgent need to preserve traditional Indian music, asking: “Where is the next shehnai player? Where is the next Bismillah Khan Sahib? Unless we find them, recognize them, and let the world see them— they’ll vanish. That’s where the inspiration for JHAALA came in.” JHAALA, Rahman’s initiative to platform and preserve Indian classical arts, seeks to make the invisible visible—through technology, talent discovery, and global exposure.

On artificial intelligence, Rahman struck a balanced note of caution and curiosity: “AI is like Frankenstein—it just steals from human experiences, human knowledge, human art, and then puts together multiple thoughts. It’s copied from us. And now it gets faster, because we feel with emotion—and it just runs on data.”

“We should use it for what it is—for speeding up the mundane. Don’t fear it, use it.”

Beyond technology, Rahman called for a national cultural renaissance: “If you look at South Korea and K-pop, it emerged in the last 10 years because of government involvement and economic growth. It was a collective movement. That needs to happen with Indian music too. We need to reinvent the wheel.”

Throughout the session, one sentiment rang clear: true art is unbound by formats, expectations, or institutions.

“The most important thing about art is freedom,” Rahman stated. “You can’t do that with a film studio.”

He ended with a reminder of music’s enduring universality: “Music transcends religion. It heals. It connects. It’s a shared soul.”

IGF London 2025’s closing conversations made one thing certain: in a world fractured by algorithms and agendas, it is artists like Rahman who restore harmony—not just in sound, but in society.

The forum forms part of IGF London 2025. With over 100+ speakers, 1000 participants, and events across iconic venues in London, IGF London 2025 encompasses a spectrum of topics – from technology and trade to culture and commerce. This year’s edition marks a powerful milestone – a decade since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark 2015 visit to the UK, and the two nations have finalised the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement. IGF London is the first major international platform to celebrate and analyse this historic achievement, unlock new opportunities that emerge from its conclusion, and shape the next phase of UK-India collaboration.

DreamSetGo Celebrates World Music Day with Sound of Sports Experiences

DreamSetGo Celebrates World Music Day 2025 with “Sound of Sports Experiences” — Where the Passion of Sport Meets the Power of Music

Mumbai, June 24, 2025 – On the occasion of World Music DayDreamSetGo, India’s first premium bespoke sports experiences and travel platform, has unveiled its latest digital campaign: “Sound of Sports Experiences”.

Sound of Sports

This captivating 80-second music video is a symphonic celebration of sports, passion and unforgettable experiences. Crafted using the sounds of sports, — from the crisp crack of a cricket ball on willow to the roar of Formula 1 engines — the campaign captures the raw essence of sports fandom. Through layered rhythm and striking visuals, the film immerses viewers in the heartbeat of premium sports experiences across Cricket, Motorsport, Tennis, and Football.

 “As someone deeply passionate about both music and sport, I’ve always found both to be that one uniting factor, the things that bring us together and make us emote together. With ‘Sound of Sports Experiences’, we’ve brought that emotion to life—an anthem for sports fans and music lovers alike. I’m thrilled with the creative output of the music video. It’s a beautiful celebration of music and a grand homage to sport.”– Monish Shah, Co- founder & CEO, DreamSetGo

OTT Releases This Week: All The Best Pandya, Ground Zero, Prince and Family & More Streaming Now

Ground Zero

A week packed with entertainment awaits as numerous new movies, web series, and TV shows debut across various OTT platforms. From intense action thrillers to fun-filled comedies, there’s a show or film for every taste to stream this weekend.

The Great Indian Kapil Show Season 3
The fan-favourite comedy show returns for Season 3, with Kapil Sharma once again at the helm. This season brings back Navjot Singh Sidhu alongside Archana Puran Singh as part of the panel. Netflix has built excitement with a teaser reading, “Ek kursi paaji ke liye please. Har Funnyvaar Badhega Humara Parivaar,” promising laughter-filled weekends.

Where to watch: Netflix
Language: Hindi
Release Date: June 21, 2025

All The Best Pandya
All The Best Pandya is a heart-touching Gujarati family drama that explores the emotional rollercoaster between a father and son. The story revolves around Hasmukh Pandya, a traditional and principled father, and his fun-loving son Akshay, whose carefree approach to life often clashes with his father’s strict values. What begins with daily arguments and generational differences soon transforms into a moving courtroom comedy when Akshay decides to stand up for his father’s honour. With relatable family dynamics, heartfelt moments, and humour woven throughout, the film beautifully captures the quiet strength of parents and the evolving understanding between generations. Featuring stellar performances by Malhar Thakar and Darshan Jariwalla, All The Best Pandya is a must-watch for anyone who cherishes family stories.

Where to watch: ShemarooMe
Language: Gujarati
Streaming from: June 19, 2025

Kerala Crime Files Season 2
In its second season, the story delves into the unexplained vanishing of a young policewoman from her post, sparking a departmental probe. A dedicated team sets out to unravel the mystery. Arjun Radhakrishnan leads as SI Noble, alongside Indrans as CPO Ambili Raju.

Where to watch: JioHotstar
Language: Malayalam Release
Date: June 20, 2025

Ground Zero
Starring Emraan Hashmi and directed by Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar, Ground Zero is an intense action-thriller. It follows BSF officer Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey on his mission to take down Rana Tahir Nadeem—known as Ghazi Baba—the terrorist mastermind behind the 2001 attacks on the Indian Parliament and Akshardham Temple.

Where to watch: Prime Video
Language: Hindi
Release Date: June 20, 2025

Prince and Family
Featuring Dileep in the lead, this Malayalam comedy directed by Binto Stephen and produced by Listin Stephen delves into light-hearted family dynamics. It will stream on ZEE5 starting June 20.

Where to watch: Zee5
Language: Malayalam
Release Date: June 20, 2025

IMDb Exclusive: Motwane Says Bhavesh Joshi Gained Fame After Flop Start

June 21, 2025: Bhavesh Joshi Superhero, the action thriller starring Harshvardhan Kapoor, released in cinemas in 2018 and is known amongst audiences and critics for its fresh and offbeat storytelling. Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, the film follows the story of a young man who becomes a masked vigilante to avenge his friend’s murder. Motwane recently spoke to IMDb in an exclusive interaction, sharing his inspiration behind making the film and his thoughts on its reception.

Motwane said, “Bhavesh Joshi Superhero came out of a place of great anger at the system. The whole passport story in the film is actually something that happened to me so that frustration also came out. That anger and emotion mixed with my genuine love for superhero films and graphic novels grounded the space for creating the film. The original script was a lot more angrier. It almost got made a couple of times, but didn’t eventually get made, so I put it to bed for a while. I revived it after a while when Abhay Koranne came into my life. I made him read the script, he had ideas and he said why don’t we revive this?”

Motwane continued, “Thank you for the love given to Bhavesh Joshi Superhero. I’m surprised because when the film was released, no one went and saw it in theatres. To see the love and passion for the film is very very heartening.”

Now Streaming on DocuBay: Gateway of Europe – The Migrant Crisis

Mumbai, 20th June: It’s here. DocuBay’s powerful new original, Gateway of Europe – The Migrant Crisis, is now live and streaming globally. Released on World Refugee Day on June 20, this gripping documentary pulls viewers straight into the heart of one of today’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. With urgent storytelling and unforgettable real-life accounts, the film is a must-watch for anyone seeking to understand the human cost of migration in Europe.

gateway of europe

Filmed on the frontline island of Lampedusa, Gateway of Europe offers a raw, immersive lens into the journey of migrants risking everything for safety, and the communities caught in the tide of crisis. Through unfiltered visuals and deeply personal stories, it lays bare the choices, resilience, and realities that headlines often miss.

Streaming now only on DocuBay, Gateway of Europe is more than a documentary; it’s a powerful reminder of our shared humanity in turbulent times.

“Over 110 million people are currently displaced worldwide, a staggering reminder of the global migration crisis. Gateway of Europe brings this reality home by showing us the people behind the numbers. At IN10 Media Network, we believe in storytelling that awakens empathy and compels change. This film is not just timely; it’s necessary,” shared Aditya Pitte, Managing Director at IN10 Media Network.

“Behind every data point lies a family torn apart, a child who crossed an ocean, a parent making the impossible choice to leave home. With Gateway of Europe, I wanted to humanise the crisis, to let the camera be a witness to both despair and resilience. These are not statistics; these are lives at the edge of survival and hope,” said Max Serio, the Director and Filmmaker

“When we speak of ‘millions displaced,’ we often forget the heartbeat behind the headline. Gateway of Europe confronts that blind spot. At DocuBay, we are committed to stories that break silos, and this film does exactly that. It transforms the migrant crisis from an abstract issue into an intimate human experience that resonates across borders,” said Samar Khan, Chief Content Officer, DocuBay.

Now streaming exclusively on DocuBay, the full feature delivers a gripping and unfiltered portrayal of the migrant crisis through powerful visuals, deeply personal narratives, and a raw urgency that captures the scale and emotional weight of this global emergency. Watch it today!

Prime Video Announces Global Streaming Premiere of Emraan Hashmi Starrer Film Ground Zero, Starting Today

MUMBAI, India—June 20, 2025— Prime Video, India’s most-loved entertainment destination, today announced the exclusive global streaming premiere of Ground Zero. Directed by Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar, the film is produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar under the banner of Excel Entertainment. Boasting a powerhouse cast featuring Emraan Hashmi, Sai Tamhankar, Zoya Hussain, and Mukesh Tiwari in lead roles, this riveting action-thriller drama promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Ground Zero is now streaming exclusively on Prime Video in over 240 countries and territories worldwide.

Inspired by real events, Ground Zero unfolds against the tense backdrop of Kashmir. The fictional film explores the remarkable two-year investigation led by BSF officer Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey and his team to uncover the mastermind behind the 2001 Parliament attack. The film stands as a powerful tribute to the valor, resilience, and strategic brilliance of India’s security forces. It delves into the intricate realities of counter-terrorism operations, capturing the high-stakes intensity of the mission while honoring the unwavering patriotism and sacrifice that led to one of the country’s most significant counter-insurgency victories.

Celebrate World Music Day with IME’s World Music Weekend

Bangalore 19th June, 2025: The Indian Music Experience Museum presents World Music Weekend from June 21–22, with four exciting programmes designed to promote music discovery and accessibility in the true spirit of Fête de la Musique.From an open mic featuring voices from across the city, to a serene Carnatic sunrise concert, to a rare quartet of Violin, Nagaswaram, Mridangam, and Thavil, the weekend promises something for every music lover. Also, catch the vinyl session with On the Jungle Floor and Digging in India, exploring the shimmering legacy of ’70s disco in Indian music and beyond!

Venue: Indian Music Experience Museum, JP Nagar
Dates: June 21–22
All events are free and open to all

Schedule
Date
Time
Program
Venue
Duration
Sat, June 21st 6:00 AM 1 hour Sunrise Concert (Carnatic) – Aishwarya Vidhya Raghunathan Accompanied by Aditi Krishnaprakash (Violin) & BS Prashanth on the Mridangam Terrace Amphitheatre
Sat, June 21st 5.30 PM 1.5 hours Impact of 70s Disco Fever in Bollywood and Beyond! – Listening Session Performance Theatre
Sat, June 21st 11AM 3 hours Open Mic Performance Theatre
Sun, June 22nd 6.00 PM 1 hour A Carnatic Quartet Performance Theatre

Rana Daggubati admits line-forgetting and snack breaks in IMDb’s “Burning Questions” S2 featurette

Rana Daggubati reveals forgetting his lines and taking snack breaks while discussing Rana Naidu S2 alongside the cast in IMDb’s ‘Burning Questions’

Rana Naidu, the high octane action crime thriller, returns after two years for its second season. Starring Venkatesh Daggubati, Rana Daggubati, Arjun Rampal, Surveen Chawla, Kriti Kharbanda, Sushant Singh, Abhishek Banerjee, and Dino Morea, the series is created and directed by Karan Anshuman, alongside Suparn S. Varma and Abhay Chopra who are part of the direction team as well. The cast and crew of the series recently spoke with IMDb in their exclusive segment ‘Burning Questions’, sharing their experience filming the series.

When the cast was asked about who forgets lines during filming and takes snack breaks often, they mentioned it would be Rana Daggubati. When asked about who would give good pep talks, they said it would be creator Karan Anshuman. As for improvising lines the most, everyone pointed to Abhishek Banerjee.

Kharbanda shared her experience on joining the franchise, she said, “I realized for the first time that this format of shooting is really hectic. I don’t think anyone had the time to welcome me but I felt very much at home from the moment I entered the set. My character Alia Oberoi is everything that I’ve never done before. Every part of Alia Oberoi is very new to me but I had so much fun playing with her.” She continued, “Rajat Kapoor was my partner in crime on set. Weirdly, I didn’t think he had that in him but he’s really funny and friendly. I genuinely had the best time with him. I wouldn’t call it pranking but we played along a lot.”

Banerjee revealed who else from the industry would do justice to his character, he said, “Good casting doesn’t happen immediately, it always takes time. But I’d say Adarsh Gourav.”

Daggubati mentioned how sharing screen space with his uncle Venkatesh Daggubati brought them even closer, he said, “”I lived most of my life with him. What’s fun is this is the first time I got to shoot so much with him. We’ve become closer. Being around him is always fun and inspiring. He has a different take to many things in life and sees life very uniquely.”

Watch the entire video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqiKlZLuRbY