Facebook tries adding video and voice calls back into its main app, as reported by Bloomberg. Messenger’s director of product management did tell Bloomberg that “you’re going to start to see quite a bit more of this over time.”
These features are currently provided in the standalone Messenger app for video and voice calling and a medium to interact with Facebook buddies via text. Facebook has introduced its other products like Portal video cameras and Oculus virtual reality headsets.
Facebook has confirmed the testing of its video and voice calls. The company, trying to put all the features in one app, puts a question mark on the future of the messenger app.
In 2014, Facebook had introduced a separate app, Messenger, and added the facilities of video and voice calls. Users were coerced to download the app, consuming their device’s storage and to keep on switching from Messenger to the main app, but now Facebook decides to upgrade itself by adding both call features to the main app only.
Adding video and voice calls on the main app gives the signal of cutting off Messenger. The user can stick to one app itself. Although Messenger has a feature of directing our messages with Instagram, which was a boon, it seems the user will have to switch back and forth between Instagram and Facebook.
The reports say that the users, including those in the state, can use this new feature from August 24th.
Monday’s test is the latest in what has been a slow but consistent effort internally to integrate all of Facebook’s apps and services. Facebook is starting to think of Messenger as a service rather than just a standalone app.
What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word IMDb? Of course, movies and series, as the IMDb (Internet Movie Database) website, have been serving the world for a long time. Originally started as a fan-operated website, the database is now owned and operated by IMDb.com, Inc., a subsidiary of Amazon.
In 2019, Amazon founded IMDb TV, a free, ad-supported streaming service, and since then, it is a dedicated hub for free, ad-supported movies and series, which also telecasts content produced by Amazon Studios. It’s been available on various platforms, including the IMDb app, where you could access IMDb TV’s content slate.
All these years, IMDb TV was away from the limelight of iOS and Android as it did not have a standalone app, and that’s where Amazon decided to come up with a dedicated app, which is now available on iOS and Android in the United States. The separate app will make your experience more straightforward, but only if you don’t mind ads.
The newly launched IMDb app provides access to the entire service’s catalogue for free. The content includes a range of classic and even latest movies and shows such as Chicago Fire, Mad Men, How to Train Your Dragon, Schitt’s Creek, All in the Family, Wolf of Wall Street, Donnie Darko, and even Amazon Originals crime drama Leverage: Redemption.
Additionally, according to a recent deal between Amazon and Universal, IMDb TV will also exclusively stream some films made by Universal following their release in theatres and a pay-one premiere on Peacock. Previously, the subsidiary released IMDb TV apps for newer LG Smart TVs, PlayStation 4, Fire TV, Roku, Xbox, Android TV, NVIDIA Shield and TiVo Stream 4K in March.
Samsung’s free and linear video streaming service that was previously available exclusively on Samsung’s TV and devices is now widely accessible on the web to just about anyone.
The South Korean tech giant did not make any formal announcements about its web version. However, it might be a little too late to move into the video streaming coliseum, considering its other streaming rivals have already made a giant leap in the market.
How To Access Samsung TV Plus Web Service?
To access Samsung’s free streaming service, you can visit samsungtvplus.com using any browser via desktop, laptop, mobile, tablet, or any other smart display. The interface lists several channels divided into different genres such as comedy, crime, entertainment, food, game shows, international, kids, movies, news, sports, travel, and more. You can also choose the resolution up to 4K and opt for subtitles depending upon your region and language preferences.
You don’t need to set up any payment option as the streaming service is free of any cost. Samsung launched TV Plus in 2016, and over 50 million smart TVs worldwide now have access to its services. It is available in 23 countries, including Australia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, and India.
Competition
Samsung had a soft launch of its streaming service’s web expansion and started with zero fanfare. Sang Kim, Vice President of Samsung Electronics, confirmed to Protocol that the company broadcasts billions of minutes every month. Though its reach has been limited to Samsung users, it remains to be seen whether the latest web expansion can add any substantial numbers to its services.
The company is now in direct competition with other free video streaming services such as Pluto TV and Tubi. Samsung has also added casting support for Chromecast devices, but whether the company plans to make it available as an app on other innovative TV platforms is, again, a mystery!
Minimalism is a word that’s often stylized by a number of people these days, but do we really know what it actually means and what it holds behind the curtains? Many people define minimalism as an art of effective organization where you clear the clutter and give importance to the only things that are really necessary for you, but is that enough to describe minimalism?
What is Minimalism?
People define minimalism as the ability to live with only 100 things and stick with them till the end of life, to buy a studio apartment and decorate it with only white colour, or to eat the same type of food till your appetite bursts out one day and you say “I’m done with this.” No, minimalism is not at all about repeating the same things, stuff and food, but it is all about keeping what you need the most and living life in a bare minimum and simple form.
History of Minimalism:
In the mid-20th century, most countries were at the core of post-war trauma, and everyone struggled to settle down in life. Due to war, most families were insecure about the life ahead. They were not sure about the war’s end and its consequences, which became the crucial reason people started buying tons of unnecessary stuff for future use, which is how consumerism reached its prime.
In the next few decades, people learned to adjust to post-war life, but the financial crisis was still at the doors. During the same phase, a large number of artists started preferring simple geometric shapes and lines over complicated ones. In their art forms, be it a painting, architecture, infrastructure, interior design, or other products, they influenced people in being minimalist. Though there are no specific whereabouts of where minimalism started initially, most experts say it first emerged in New York City, somewhere around the 1960s.
Misconceptions about Minimalist lifestyle:
The most common misconception about people living a minimalist life is that these people can’t afford a well-enriched lifestyle, and that’s why they prefer to sacrifice the number of things in the name of a relaxed way of living, styling themselves as minimalists. But actually, it’s quite the opposite. Decluttering your house and life in the simplest way and holding onto the most necessary things has its benefit. As the things you now hold are carefully picked and have a purpose of serving you more conventionally, which indirectly adds a meaningful experience to your life.
Practising Minimalism:
As the rest of the world enjoys billions of things, adding more clutter to their lives, it’s not easy to keep yourself away from purchasing things. But having more is not the way to live life to the fullest. Practising minimalism will surely take some time, effort and energy, but if you stick to the goal, you’ll feel more relaxed, and at the end of the day, you will learn how not to desire more.
Minimalism encourages us to live in the moment, pursue our passion, focus on our health, grow as individuals and find purpose in our lives. Following a minimalistic lifestyle positively influence one’s mental health and adds relaxation in life, which matters the most. We never thought or planned how to deal with the pandemic life, but when it hit and everything went shut, we learned the process of identifying what is essential in our life and having the courage to eliminate the rest. In short, we learned to live like minimalists. So, what’s the problem in carrying on?
Minimalism can be helpful to get rid of anxiety, depression, even schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder. Here are a few of its benefits.
> Mental Clarity
A minimalistic lifestyle encourages you to maintain a clean and peaceful environment that ultimately makes your house more spacious and helps you to have a clear approach. When you declutter things from your house, you feel relaxed as it equips you with additional space, the same thing happens with your mind, and it allows you to think more positively and clearly.
One can be more creative and productive when less materialistic things surround them as it makes the soul calm and composed. For example, when many things encompass your house and office space, your mind wanders around, recklessly offering loads of visual cues to trigger unwanted thoughts and memories, resulting in losing concentration. The very process of decluttering and minimizing your space can be great for your mental health, as it gives you mental clarity and helps you focus on your life or work.
> Have Less, Save More
It’s important to understand minimalism as a way of life means no unnecessary stuff in your house and no random thoughts on your mind. But having a full home doesn’t mean you live in clutter, minimalism is all about what you really need, and it varies from person to person.
Whenever people visit malls or e-commerce sites, they see lots of things, and most of the time, they consider buying one of them and sometimes even more, but before going ahead, they should understand that new things only give you instant satisfaction, which stays only for a few days. Though if the collectible is a necessary one, then it’s okay to shop, but if it’s not, then you’re going to enjoy it for a moment and then you’ll put it on a shelf or in a closet and never think about it again.
Following a minimalist approach doesn’t mean you avoid purchasing anything at all; it just means if you’re thinking about buying some stuff, then give yourself time, think about its use in the real world. Then after a week or two, if it still stays in your mind, go for it, but if it doesn’t, then it’s not worth having as it’s just going to add extra space in your house.
> Extra Time
Lockdown forced everyone to work from home, and we all ended up in a house trap of daily chores; before the lockdown, most of us were dependent on maids and other family members, primarily mothers. But during the lockdown, when we started helping out with house chores, we realized that real hard work lies here and having more stuff in the house doubles the work.
Likewise, in your free time, when you think of cleaning your room or when someone asks you to help with the house cleaning task, especially during festivals – you see the collection of dishes/curtains/clothes that you haven’t used yet or used in months. You see a couple of throw pillows and teddy bears on your couch, hundreds of old newspapers under the tea table, several numbers of toys/gifts in the cupboard and for the first time in life you don’t feel excited after seeing these things. Instead, you find yourself bewildered by all of the stuff as they’re going to take your free time with the additional cleaning, and the lack of space.
If you’re undergoing additional stress because of the things you own in the house, then what’s the point of having them? Get rid of them and use that daily/weekly cleaning time to do something better for yourself.
> Management
If something out of place turns on your panic mode or when you need something urgent, and you forgot where you exactly kept it last time, then this one’s for you. Practising minimalism makes you stick with only necessary items, and this leads to proper management.
Suppose you store your things in a specific way, like all the electronic items in one box, all the stationery items in another and so on followed by a naming sticker on each box. In that case, this will save your time when you’re looking for them as you’re already aware of their exact whereabouts. Such slight changes will help you to live a life that is more fulfilling and well managed.
> Saying No to Wasted Weekends
If you often find yourself in the dilemma of whether to say yes or no to someone you adored or to your friends or the weekend parties, then it’s time for you to consider minimalism. When people attend weekend parties or subsequent celebrations, they usually gossip about others’ lives, what they’re buying-wearing, who’s dating who, and discuss how someone is progressing in life, where they’re planning to go for vacations, and the list goes on.
It’s okay if you’re leaving all the party talks at the door, but if these discussions harm you mentally, then you’ve to rethink about attending such parties. As these discussions and conversations are only going to affect your mental health and add more stress to it. It’s better to evaluate your friendships and circle at the right time; sometimes, saying no is better than stressing over it, and there’s no harm to stay within your home and chill with your people, the real ones who care about you.
These are a few ways in which minimalism can heal your soul. Do hit us up on our social media channels if you’ve any suggestions; until then, stay healthy, stay safe!
Getting bored with the Work From Home scenario and looking for a gateway to entertainment? Then OTT platform is the most valid answer for you. Back then, OTT was considered as a second alternative for entertainment purposes due to theatres and several other outdoor activity options, but with the arrival of Covid-19, the whole concept of entertainment has changed in a moment.
Earlier, we used to see the same bunch of actors on OTT platforms, but today, the time has come where even Bollywood Superstars want to join the OTT parade to stay relevant. Content-driven stories backed by well-executed performances eased OTT platforms to reach the peak of the success, and in the coming days, we can expect a high-level competition here as well.
The OTT platforms are packed with great content and eagerly waiting to release their most-awaited shows to keep us entertained throughout 2021. To save your valuable time, we have compiled a list of the 10 most-awaited upcoming OTT releases on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Zee 5, Sony Liv and Disney+Hotstar in 2021.
1. The Family Man, Season 2: Amazon Prime Originals
The series is created-directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, the duo who entertained us previously with films like Go Goa Gone and Stree. The action-thriller series features Manoj Bajpayee as Srikant Tiwari, a middle-class man secretly working as an intelligence officer who struggles to balance his professional and personal life, the plot and the character itself was a breather from monotonous stories. The 10-episodic first season was so gripped, and the way it ended left the viewers in turmoil. Now, it’s been more than a year, and the viewers still can’t get enough of Shrikant’s life, though Season 2 was initially scheduled for release on 12th February but has been postponed until June, and the wait is still on.
2. Sex Education, Season 3: Netflix
The British comedy-drama follows the story of Otis Milburn, a socially awkward teenage son of the sex therapist mother. He starts his high school sex clinic along with Maeve Wiley, a social outcast and a classmate, to help fellow students out with their sex-related issues. Over the two seasons, a lot has happened between Otis and Maeve’s life, and after two heartbreaking season endings, Sex Education is renewed for the third season. The series has earned a lot of appreciation for their expert exploration and the way they handled sensitive topics like sexuality, family and relationships; there’s a lot to learn from the series; even adults could learn a thing or two from it. The third season is not yet officially scheduled to release, but it is rumoured to release in June or July of this year. Till then, keep your fingers crossed and buzz about the fate of Otis and Maeve’s relationship.
3. Rudra – The Edge of Darkness: Disney+ Hotstar
Disney+ Hotstar has done a decent job creating successful shows like Criminal Justice, Aarya, Special Ops, and now they’re venturing out with Rudra: The Edge of Darkness, starring one of the biggest superstars of Bollywood, the action-hero Ajay Devgn. The series is an official remake of English actor Idris Elba’s psychological crime drama television series Luther, which has five seasons. Ajay Devgn will be seen in a role of a city cop, and the series will be his grand entry into the digital space. The series is produced by Applause Entertainment, renowned for making mind-blowing shows like Criminal Justice, Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, Hostages and The Office.
4. Stranger Things, Season 4: Netflix
Created by the Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things is a popular American science-fiction horror television series set in the 1980s in the fictional town of Hawkins, where the story helps us explore the concept of a parallel dimensional world, referred to as the upside-down. Stranger Things has attracted record viewership on Netflix and has a broad, active and international fan base. One of the main leads from the series, Millie Bobby Brown, who played the character of Eleven, emerged as a teenage sensation. The third season quite ended on a sad note, and ever since, fans have been waiting desperately for season 4 as it will showcase Jim Hopper’s fate and the forthcoming threat in Russia.
5. Kota Factory, Season 2: Netflix
Created by TVF Originals, Kota Factory is one of the most popular and celebrated web series in India, starring newbies Mayur More, Ranjan Raj, Alam Khan in the lead, along with TVF’s veteran-star Jitendra Kumar. The comedy-drama about IIT aspirants is set in Kota and follows the story of a 16-year-old Vaibhav, played by Mayur More and what happens ahead when he shifts to the Hostel in Kota. The first season was released on the TVF app and YouTube simultaneously and received a fantastic response from critics, complimenting the monochrome setting and the realistic portrayal of coaching centres in India. The series has been renewed for another season, but this time on Netflix.
6. Special Ops 1.5, Season 2: Disney+ Hotstar
Created and directed by acclaimed Bollywood director Neeraj Pandey, Special OPS is an espionage-thriller web series. The series stars Kay Kay Menon as Himmat Singh in the lead and follows his work in the Research and Analysis Wing. His task force team of five agents living in various parts of the world aims to catch the mastermind of several similar patterned terrorist attacks. The plot is inspired by several espionage missions undertaken by India in the last two decades. After the success of the first season, Disney+ Hotstar is developing a prequel of Special Ops that will follow the prior life of its lead, Himmat Singh.
7. Delhi Crime, Season 2: Netflix
The only Indian web series to win a precious International Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series, Delhi Crime, is a Netflix Indian original series created by Richie Mehta. Starring Shefali Shah in the lead as DCP Vartika Chaturvedi, the series is based on the 2012 Delhi gang-rape case that took place in South Delhi. The series follows the story in the aftermath of the gang rape, where Delhi Police strives to find out the culprits guilty for the attacks and death of the female victim. The new season is already in the production work, and it will be a distinct project, focussing on a new set of characters and a fresh story on a new crime.
8. Sunflower: Zee5
Sunflower is a Zee5 original, quirky black-comedy web series directed by Vikas Bahl and will feature actor-comedian Sunil Grover in the lead. Produced by Good Co and Reliance Entertainment, the story revolves around a middle-class housing society in Mumbai called “Sunflower”, where a murder occurs. The murder mystery is scheduled to be released on 11th June 2021.
9. Ray: Netflix
Directed by Ishqiya director Abhishek Chaubey along with Cannes nominee Vasan Bala and National Award winner Srijit Mukherji, Ray is an anthology web series that includes an adaptation of four short stories from celebrated filmmaker and writer Satyajit Ray. The series features a mixed genre, where stories will take us through from a satire world to a psychological thriller. The series features a stellar cast, from Manoj Bajpayee, Gajraj Rao, Kay Kay Menon, Harshvardhan Kapoor to Ali Fazal and many more. Abhishek Chaubey has directed the part featuring Gajraj Rao and Manoj Bajpayee, while Srijit Mukherji and Vasan Bala have helmed other segments of the anthology.
10. Finding Anamika: Netflix
The upcoming thriller-drama web series is created by Bejoy Nambiar, and Karishma Kohli marks the debut of Madhuri Dixit-Nene into the OTT world. Along with Madhuri, the suspenseful family drama stars Sanjay Kapoor, Manav Kaul, Lakshvir Saran, Suhasini Muley and Muskkaan Jafari in the lead. The story will follow the journey of a global superstar vanishing into a void.
Summer has arrived and we’re already struggling with it; due to global warming and extreme heatwaves, many parts of the world are supposed to undergo one of the hottest summers in recent years. Along with scorching summer, humans are also worried about the Covid-19 pandemic and its newly developed mutants.
While several vaccine facilities are available now to beat the pandemic, and there are plenty of traditional ways to beat the heat, for instance, diving into the ocean or a pool, travelling to the nearest hill stations. However, in these harsh times, we can’t do much as staying home is the best alternative we have, and in order to save ourselves from the wrath of the pandemic, we must have to follow the rules.
Nevertheless, it turns out there are a lot of innovative gadgets available online to keep you cool and occupied at home during these untimely days, plus there’s nothing quite like the excitement of buying a brand new gadget. With that in mind, here’s a compiled list of gadgets that could be beneficial for you.
DJI FPV drone:
When all of us were trying to cope with the new normal, the DJI team was working on the gadget, which will help us see the world through its eyes. DJI launched a new FPV drone a few months ago that records up to 4K videos at 60fps. The FPV system was initially designed for the drone racing industry, and it consists of the DJI FPV Air Unit Module, DJI FPV Camera, DJI FPV Goggles, and DJI FPV Remote Controller.
The intriguing new breed of drone radiates the view from its camera to a headset back on terra firma that means its first-person view allows you to see what the drone sees, which means you can roam around and enjoy the outer world without even walking out of the house. The drone also provides an incredibly immersive flying experience; thanks to the fantastic DJI FPV Goggles, it also features equally compelling video footage from the forward-facing camera.
The DJI FPV is mainly aimed at shooting mesmerised FPV 4K video, and it has the ability to shoot still images at a primary level; the drone is easy to fly in Normal mode and suitable for beginners who’re trying their luck at flying for the first time.
The DJI FPV can shoot 4K video up to 60fps and shoot 1080p at 120fps. The drone has a maximum flying range of 10 KM, and it can move at a top speed of 140kmph and reach 0-90 kmph in just two seconds. The biggest advantage of buying an FPV drone is that it makes you feel like you’re flying along with the drone, making it the coolest gadget to have these days.
HyperX Cloud II Wireless Gaming Headset:
HyperX is one of the big names in the gaming world, and its newly launched HyperX Cloud II Wireless Gaming Headset offers an excellent, straightforward gaming experience. Every hardcore gamer wants the right gear to make a difference in the world and stay at the top of the game. Amongst all the gaming abettors, the one that matters most to the gamer is a good headset.
The current situation in the world has given us a chance to do something that we always dreamed of, and being a gamer, if you’re looking for a gaming headset that sounds good, works efficiently on multiple platforms, and offers enough comfort throughout the day, then the HyperX Cloud II Wireless Gaming Headset is the best bid you got. The Cloud II Wireless looks and feels almost identical to the wired Cloud II, with its aluminium body, a flexible headband and oval-shaped black plastic earcups that feature solid memory foam cushions covered in soft leatherette.
On PC, the Cloud II Wireless provides optional 7.1-channel simulated surround sound into HyperX’s Ngenuity software, which also manages other HyperX peripherals like the QuadCast S microphone. One can hear all the major and minor sounds while playing the game, like sounds of footsteps, rustling grass and much more. The HyperX Cloud II priced at ₹12,990.00, is one of the market’s finest headsets.
Vaonis Vespera Smart Telescope:
If you’re not a big fan of binging a series or don’t like to spend your time late-night chatting, then here’s something that might grab your attention during the night. Since childhood, we all wondered about stars and always wanted to see them a little closer, some of us went far away and discovered them, but most of us are still wondering about them. But with the launch of the Vaonis Vespera, now we can reach out to space right from our very balconies.
Vaonis, a French startup that raised eyebrows in 2018 when it debuted the pricey, sci-fi robot-looking Stellina smart telescope, revealed an affordable telescope Vespera, in CES 2021. Innovative and fully automated Vespera can be your new observation station; it’s a perfect combination of telescope and camera. Vespera has the same sleek, futuristic design as its larger counterpart Stellina but it is more affordable than its predecessor, also looks more compact in size and weighs only 5 kgs, making astronomy even more accessible to aspiring enthusiasts.
Vespera displays images on a smartphone, and the telescope is controlled via a mobile app. Vespera offers pretty nice views of the night sky but compromises some of its abilities. However, it successfully maintains the image quality compared to Stellina’s images. These telescopes are easy to use and operate; they needn’t require any virtual setup at all. It stands 15 inches tall, making it easy to carry around during camping trips. Get a Vespera to cherish your stargazing wish and stay cool and occupied at home.
Logitech StreamCam:
If somehow you’ve managed to turn your lockdown pastime into a fruitful side hustle by streaming it over the internet, and now you’re looking for an upgrade to take your content to the next level, then here’s a gadget that will take care of your further streaming. The Logitech StreamCam is created with aiming at streamers and content creators. It’s an ideal starting package for live streamers, with a versatile 1080p60 webcam, screen and table stands, and flexible video processing software.
The StreamCam offers smart autofocus to stop losing focus in the middle of streams and videos. The auto-exposure of Logitech StreamCam is finely tuned, so you look your best in all types of lighting conditions. The StreamCam is a smartly designed boxy camera in a graphite or white colour that measures about 2.3 inches in height, 1.9 inches wide, and 2.4 inches deep, with a five-foot cable ending in a USB-C plug.
The front of the camera highlights the Logitech logo on the bottom and an indicator LED in the upper right corner. The camera has two flexible mounting options, one for monitors and laptop screens that features the ability to tilt and pan, and another is a small tabletop tripod that allows you to set up the StreamCam on any flat surface. The innovative auto-framing features keep you always in the middle in all your streams and videos; it also offers premium and vibrant audio performance, which helps your audience receive authentic sound.
WAKEcup Self Cleaning Water Bottle:
Nowadays, hygiene is the key to staying safe and healthy, but maintaining hygiene is always tricky as it takes much time and energy. However, in a world of modern technology, some options will take care of your hygiene at a remarkable level, and WAKEcup’s new Self Cleaning UV Water Bottle is one of them. The WAKEcup Ultraviolet Light Water bottle gives you pure drinking and hence peace of mind with its Innovative UV-C technology.
The WAKEcup 550ml water bottle has an ultraviolet light in the lid that promises to clear 99.99 per cent of the bacteria, viruses, and mould that you might have missed while scrubbing. Click on the UV activation button, and after 3 minutes, your water will be pure and clean, leaving no germs, odour or taste. The self-cleaning water bottle is beneficial for everyday use and weekend campings where you’re not sure about water quality. The double-walled UV bottle can contain 550ml of hot or cold liquid, keeping water cold for 12 hours and hot for 4.
The UV bottle comes in rich matte black stainless steel, with an UltraViolet WAKEcup logo. It works on a USB rechargeable Lithium battery and stays up to a month on a full charge. Also, if all of these benefits didn’t excite you to buy one of them, you should know that for every product sold, 10% of the profits are donated to the Marine Conservation Society to support their vital work protecting marine habitats and campaigning and against plastic pollution.
Intro: From being a filmy young boy who started his journey at age 16 to being known as “Ye voi jo gaadia udata hai”, Rohit Shetty’s journey as one of Bollywood’s most successful directors has been nothing short of magical. In a candid interview with Ramesh Somani, Rohit unveils his lesser-known side and first-hand insight into the world behind his lens.
Ramesh Somani: You love powerful machines that tear up the road, and you are unstoppable just like the Jeep. How has been your journey? Rohit Shetty: My journey has been, I would say, adventurous. It was quite filmy, like a boy who starts his journey at 16 and has seen a lot in life. Dad is one of the finest action directors of his time, and I wanted to be like him, so I started doing car stunts at the age of 18. All I ever wanted to be was an action director, so I started with it, and I got to work with Ajay’s father, a renowned action director. I learnt a lot from him, and then I was working as an assistant director. Gradually, it started with being an action director and then every other thing happened with the flow. Before working as an AD, Ajay, with whom I was working, started his production. Then came a turn in my life where he said now you direct a film and that’s how everything happened. That’s why you see in all my movies that cars blow up and action scenes because the action director is still there inside me.
Ramesh Somani: You’ve had a long history with cars. You’ve driven them, blown them apart, sent them hundreds of feet in the air. Which moment is your favourite one among them? Rohit Shetty: I have done more than 100 stunts with a car. We have blown up more than 200 vehicles. To be honest, I have even lost count of it. I also do a show called Fear Factor and because of that, what has happened to me is I love action. I have met the action teams worldwide, like how food lovers meet other food lovers who have the same taste of food or fashion, but I met many action teams when I was doing Fear Factor. At that point, I created my group, which is also from around the world. If there is some specific stunt I want to do or want some stunt guy to do it, I call them from Cape Town, Bulgaria, and multiple places like those and work together. In my latest movie Suryavanshi, I have a bike stunt in which the stunt guy is from Bulgaria. The other for the car stunt is from Cape Town so that’s how these come together and shoot for me. We had a CGI shot with drifting, so they did it. Coming back to your question, the Guinness book of the world record for a topple is for Casino Royale. You will not believe the Bulgarian driver name Kaleem. He was shooting and did a 7 round, but the record is for eight topples, so if we had two more, we would have broken the world record for it.
Ramesh Somani: Do you love adventure and sports? Driving on rugged terrains? What have you been itching to do next? Rohit Shetty: I just want to go to the next level, and now because we have a team, it is like a family. As you say, the world is small. Now we work along with worldwide people. Sometimes we have people from abroad coming here for shoots, and we have our people going there. Hence, I just want to keep increasing the level. If you see the Hollywood projects, they have bigger budgets and more sophisticated equipment, and we here don’t even have a proper drifting school like the ones in South Africa or America. I want to open an action school where people can train, and we can create worldwide drivers under one roof and not only that, I want to expand Hindi cinema when action is concerned.
Ramesh Somani: If you have to take this Jeep to an off-roading destination – where will you dash out to? Rohit Shetty: I have never been to the Himalayas. I would take this Jeep to the Himalayas, and I have not even visited Leh and Ladakh. I think I am the only director who has not shot in Leh and Ladakh.
Ramesh Somani: Which is the most recent car you crashed while shooting, and how did you do it? Rohit Shetty: The most recent car crash was a few days ago, it was a Honda Accord and we were shooting for a noodle ad. There is a team that was working with my father at that time and my team as well. The driver who skids the car is my father’s team member’s son so basically, we have three generations of drivers with us. People think that we topple cars, and it’s straightforward, but that’s not the case. It is a dangerous thing we do, and many mechanisms go under the process. The main priority is the driver’s safety. We put a cage around the car, which is like piping. It’s used so that after the vehicle is toppled, it does not crash. We will make sure the whole unit is safe and precautions are taken. One example of this is we had a stunt with a Lexus SUV, so for that, a lot of things had to be considered, like the engine weight and the platform through which it is going to be jumped. We have to gauge how much speed it should be jumped so that it lands appropriately, and so much science goes behind this. Still, in our country, there is no respect for it.
Ramesh Somani: Difficult people or difficult situations, what’s your mantra to handle them calmly? Rohit Shetty:Difficult people and difficult situations; to be honest, I have not faced anything like that till now. My mantra, though, is that we have to stay firm with difficult people and polite people. At work, you lose your temper sometimes, but it’s natural. My team, which is working with me, has been with me for over five years. They are married and are still working with
me. Some have been working for more than 15 years, so they know my temper.
Ramesh Somani: Your garage is very envious. Let’s start with the Urus. How do you like it and what’s next in your buy? Rohit Shetty:I like the one I am driving right now, the Jeep Wrangler. I am buying the first assembled Indian Wrangler. As our PM says, we should be an Atmanirbhar Bharat, and I am happy and thrilled to be buying this car. It is a great car to drive and the pricing is exceptional. It is how a Jeep should be. The most important thing while driving the jeep is that you should be able to see the bonnet. Another dream car that I have is G63.
Ramesh Somani: What does the word legend mean to you? What do you think are the qualities one must possess to be legendary? Rohit Shetty: It all started gradually. When I started, I wanted to become an action director who was in love with cars since he was a kid. When I started doing stunts for my films after 2-3 movies, I realised that I am becoming like a brand to everyone who connects you with cars. Now people recognise me with “Ye voi jo gaadia udata hai”. But this was not the plan. I was working on my movies, but then I realised I have become like a brand. It is sporadic that what you love becomes your profession, and now that I have reached this position, I feel the most important thing is honesty towards my life, fans, movies. Whatever I do, it has to be honest. My first movie that crossed the 100cr mark was in 2010, and it’s been 11 years since each of my films has crossed that mark. And it’s not that I am some great director. It’s the people I work with, like the actors, technicians and the entire crew, that make it possible.
Ramesh Somani: Movie making requires significant teamwork, and you are the captain, some leadership advice you would like to share? Rohit Shetty: Being a leader, the most important thing is there are a lot of sacrifices involved. If somebody does something wrong, you have to stand by their side and say, I am with you, which makes it unique. As a leader, how my character will be my team will behave accordingly. If my team is working for 18 hours, I’ll see that I am working for 20 hours. The leader has to work more than the team. Another most important thing is to treat them as a family. I make sure that salary and all are fine, but the team also knows that I am there for them whenever they need me.
Ramesh Somani: The pandemic halted the world for the better part of the last year; things are slowly but steadily coming back to normal; how has the return to work been for you? Rohit Shetty: Pandemic hit us all. After a month or so, no one knew what was going on. When will things get to normal? How will things happen from now? I had a company to run, I didn’t know what to do, my film was about to be released, and we had to hold it back because the theatres were shut. I mean, people are still asking when the movie will come, and all, but what I had in mind was that the world wouldn’t get over, right? I went out to shoot Fear Factor in July. I did not meet my family as my mother lives with me, and she is old. I did not want to risk her life, but I was shooting, and life has to move on. That time was also tricky. I had to stay in isolation for 45 days during the shoots, but I started working, and that is the only way, and now if you see we are not out of the pandemic, but people are working currently, going to offices and now we have accepted it that we have to live with it.
Quickies
Ramesh Somani:What do you enjoy more? Directing or hosting? Rohit Shetty: Directing, for sure. Ramesh Somani: If you could sum up your experience as a director in one hashtag, what would it be? Rohit Shetty: #Magical Ramesh Somani: If you could choose just one car for the rest of your life which one would you choose? Rohit Shetty: Range Rover Ramesh Somani:Who is your favourite director that you look up to? Rohit Shetty:There is not just one, but if I have to name a few, Raju Hirani, Shankar, Rajamouli, James Cameron and Michael Bay. Ramesh Somani: One actor/actress you wish to direct? Rohit Shetty: I want to make a full-fledged film with Mr Amitabh Bacchan.
Ramesh Somani:Would you choose an EV or a petrol engine in the long run? Rohit Shetty: It depends. I have not driven an EV. If the EV gives me the same kind of performance as a petrol engine, then definitely go for an EV. Ramesh Somani:What app do you check first when you get up. Rohit Shetty:Instagram Ramesh Somani: Which Books inspire you, and which ones are currently on your reading list? Rohit Shetty: Goldy, Vijay Anand Autobiography. Ramesh Somani: Which are some of the best roads you have driven on? What’s the farthest you have gone or travelled on a single trip? Rohit Shetty: Cape Town, I love the roads there.
Ramesh Somani: There is so much tech that is used in movie-making, especially yours. Tell us some of the cool techs that you use. Rohit Shetty: There are many things, but the most exciting thing we use is a crane named a Boult, it moves within seconds, and then there is this camera I love called the Phantom. Ramesh Somani: Your upcoming film “Cirkus” starring Ranvir Singh recently got a release date of 31 December 2021. How excited are you about the movie? Rohit Shetty:It is quite a mix of all things. It’s based in the ’60s and ’70s, and it’s a funny entertainer. We are trying to get a new feel to it with many special effects, and it’s like a fairy tale world.
Ex: Ranveer, we’ve seen you grow & your journey is so inspiring for the youth. Whichever field you step into, you face it. Tell us about how it all started and how your journey has been till now? Ranveer:I always wanted to do something entrepreneurial because if I take a task in hand, I always give my 100 % into it. Post my engineering, I decided to start my own fitness-based start-up. But I understood the role of social media in making it successful. This was when I made the decision to start my social media page ‘BeerBiceps’. But the underlining has and will always be to create a successful and creative business venture.
Ex: What started as a fitness channel is now about everything a man needs to know, you create content that is relatable, motivational & there’s so much to learn from. What’s the inspiration behind these concepts that you come up with? Ranveer: The inspiration behind this has always been related to my personal life. For example, two years post-college when I started the “BeerBiceps” page, I only focused on the fitness-based content. In those two years, I learned a lot about grooming, fashion styling, and communication skills. After that, I focused more on mental health and career-related content.
Currently, I am focused on entrepreneurship-based concepts aimed at improving the audience’s decision-making and career skills. After that, I might move towards emotional health and spirituality-based content.
Ex: We have also seen you addressing Mental Health issues, how important are these issues in today’s time? Ranveer:Mental health is paramount. Especially with this Covid-19 situation and everyone being locked up in their houses. Thus, positive content from creators worldwide plays a very important role in turning the situation positive. It’s the need of the hour and I think it will be at least for the next 10 to 20 years.
Ex: What was that moment when you felt that this is it; people have started liking you and are getting inspired by your work? Ranveer:Honestly, I think we were right from the start since we grew pretty fast and the feedback we received was overall positive. It also made me realize that audience-focused content will result in a lot of love and encouragement. It feels pretty special when people walk up to you for a photo or just appreciate your work. With the Jio Boom of 2016 & 2017, things changed pretty fast for me.
Ex: Having a large fan following and being a public figure, what kind of responsibilities do you have & how do you make use of this fame? Ranveer: The amount of responsibility is pretty huge given the number of followers I have. If I am putting out any content related to fitness or anything else, I do a lot of research beforehand. I believe that through video content, you can create something that’s mentally uplifting. Also, with this Covid-19 situation, I am glad my team and I got a chance to create such positive and uplifting content. I truly use my fame to make something positive for the audience and also to expand and fill the employment gaps in the country in whatever small way I can.
Ex: The world has changed with the pandemic and everyone has accepted the new normal. What is the new approach/idea to keep moving in the new age of digital media? Ranveer:The approach to keep moving into the new age of Digital Media would be to create content in large quantities. Since working from home is now a reality, content creation is a side-hustle for many people. When you’re beginning your content creation journey, you cannot take it as a full-time job since your work life/studies would collide with it and make it hectic.
Currently, Instagram reels are the best way to move forward along with Twitter. Create short-form textual content as well as video content and you’ll see your online brand grow faster.
Ex: You have invited a lot of significant personalities in your show, with whom did you have an instant connection or who inspired you the most? Ranveer: On the business front, Siddharth Roy Kapoor and Ronnie Screwvala because I feel that they have a strong mental match. And on a deeper emotional level, I think Gaur Gopal Das and Jay Shetty since they both have a similar career. From the world of glamour, obviously Ayushmann Khurrana
and Priyanka Chopra, with whom I felt a strong and ambitious connection with.
Ex: Ranveer Allahbadia: Techie or a PetrolHead? Ranveer: I’m that weird guy who’s neither but if I had to choose, I’m probably a Techie. My internal engineer enjoys tech that helps us create- professional cameras, mics, software, and mobile phones.
Ex: What does a normal day look like in Ranveer Allahbadia’s life? Ranveer: A normal day for me is all about creation, business strategies or video content. There isn’t a day when I can just switch off because I really enjoy my job. Even if I’m on a vacation I keep vlogging and finding inspiration for my future content. Creation is a massive part of my life. I like waking up late because I usually sleep late at night.
Ex: What’s next for Ranveer Allahbadia? Ranveer: Many more businesses, podcasts, vlogging, video games – it won’t stop. We’re on a creation and experimentation spree. One thing I have understood about content is that it is just a game of consistency. You just need to keep putting out stuff. Even if you’re having a low phase, you’ll bounce back. I currently started a lot of poetry-based content which is being received really well and would like to continue down that tangent for a while.
Quickies:
1. Most expensive tech you own: Bought a 3-4 Lakh Lens for our professional camera 2. If you could invent a gadget, it would be: Artificial Intelligence based camera assistant that allows people to record videos, editing and help with the video creation process. 3. On road trips, Would you sit at the back seat & relax to soft music or play loud music and take control of the wheels: I’m the type of guy who plays music loudly and takes control of the wheels (but if with that someone special, you got to switch to soft music). 4. A fitness gadget/app you use religiously: Any generic fitness app like Samsung Fitness or Google Fitness just to track my walks and jogs 5. Who you stalk on Instagram: LeBron James 6. Your go-to book: Autobiography of a Yogi 7. If you had to describe yourself in a hashtag: #babyfacedassassin
As the wheels of restoration begin to turn, everyone wants to know – what’s the next move for most industries that have had to refocus, reshape, and adapt to the new 2020 dynamic? Widespread lockdown and restrictions lead to almost overnight digital evolution. Businesses across the board were pushed to enter the 21st century and take the leap online. So now, with normalcy on the cards how do we see this evolution pivot? For us in the fitness space, this question poses immense possibilities.
With people spending more time at home, the possibility to focus on fitness became more apparent. Hence the opportunities for fitness players to really succeed opened up further. With that said what we saw was a clear demarcation of where the future of this ecosystem was headed. It had an almost dichotomous effect on the fitness ecosystem. On one end of the spectrum, we saw some long-standing brick-and-mortar establishments shut shop and on the other, we saw smaller digital players and tech-based start-ups rise to the occasion and thrive.
Termed as the ‘New-Age Fitness’ era apps ruled the roost. Suddenly the world of fitness opened up to the masses, with no geographical restrictions. With a flick of a finger, you could access everything from celebrity trainers to cult-favorite Yoga training. Social media feeds were filled with everything from the Adho Mukha Vrksasana (the handstand Yoga pose) to InstaStories of goals achieved on fitness trackers. People were trying it all. Lack of time wasn’t an excuse and if it was the question of accessibility all you needed was an internet connection.
What remained crucial to the success of this new-world-fitness-order is the capability to keep people motivated and on-track. The ability to see progress in real-time is what users have come to expect from their fitness partners and it’s what has helped this industry thrive over the last few months. From goal-setting to progress tracking, these virtual companions have now been able to help users achieve their targets and in some cases even gratify every accomplishment. It expressed a sense of vested interest in the user’s fitness journey. In fact, as per the Jan Ki Baat fitness survey, the lockdown saw a whopping 56% of Indians working out regularly thanks to online training and access to fitness apps.
The rise of virtual fitness has paved the way for more radical immersive experiences like enhanced gamification and augmented reality. In fact, it could play a pivotal role in the future of fitness. But in no way will that replace the ecosystem that has served as the backbone of the industry. Fitness enthusiasts who have had a longstanding commitment to their health and love those early mornings or late nights on the treadmill are in no way going to just give it up cold turkey.
What we will see in the near future is the dawn of Hybrid fitness. An ecosystem where virtual and traditional merge to provide, anywhere-anytime access. The two almost complete each other in a way, providing a holistic experience for the end-user. This will be as close to a win-win scenario in terms of engagement and acquisition at both sides of the collaboration while also providing the end-user an option to switch things up as and when required. So tomorrow, a user can do a 30-minute YouTube featured HIIT workout at home – follow that up with a run in the evening tracked closely by a mobile app or wearable and close it off with a kick-boxing session at their local fitness center.
Ex: Tell us about a change you’ve seen in the digital blogging space since you started out your journey? How has this space evolved?
Manav:A lot of change. When I started it was only fashion bloggers I could see on my instagram explore, it was mainly aesthetic photos that were going viral and slowly the videos took over. Now the scope is much much wider and people are making it a primary profession for themselves.
Ex: Can you give us an insight into social media platforms that only an Influencer can know?
Manav: I guess the most important insights are the amount of impressions you get on your posts and the audience you have. Your content should be based on your audience. The age of your audience, region etc. These insights really help us to figure what should be our upcoming content.
Ex: What would be your calling in a parallel universe? (Alternate career options)
Manav: I’m a law graduate. So, lawyer.
Ex: If you were stranded on an island, what are the 3 gadgets you’d take along?
Manav: My phone, My laptop and My Camera
Ex: A technology you wished you’d invented?
Manav: Alexa
Ex: What does success mean to you?
Manav: Making your parents proud.
Ex: Do you think Influencer Marketing is a fad? Where do you see this space in years to come?
Manav: I don’t think so. Apps can be temporary but social media is gonna last forever. It’s a new profession. So many People are earning through it and now it’s one of the most important parts of everyone’s life.
Ex: How do you choose the brands that you want to work with?
Manav: Class over anything. My and my team are really picky about the brands we choose for the collaboration. If the brand may affect my audience in a negative way, we will straight away so NO.
Ex: What according to you will be the next big trend in the Lifestyle blogging industry?
Manav: Big brands collaborating with budding influencers. That’s what i am really looking for.
