In 2025, India didn’t just watch screens — it lived inside them. From families gathering around connected TVs for weekend binge sessions to millions of thumbs endlessly scrolling through reels during metro rides, screen time became both entertainment and education, escape and excess.

Long-form OTT content continued to be India’s comfort zone. The future of TV is neither in pixels nor in fullscreen format, but rather through "On-Demand" (OTT) services. The TOI Habit Index indicates that last year, 39% of screen time was spent on OTT platforms, signifying an increase in people's interest towards on-demand cinematic storytelling in India. According to the TOI Index, for the same period, over 60% of OTT viewership was attributed to Netflix and YouTube respectively, while many people used these platforms as social experiences. People shared their experiences of watching the tiger show with colleagues and friends, discussed the latest twists of their favourite shows at work, went to the cinema together to see regional films, and shared stories about how the stories on these platforms reflected their everyday lives.

While OTT services acted as the main source of entertainment in their living rooms, short-form video services, such as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, became the go-to source for entertainment by viewers on the go. Both services accounted for approximately 14% of total digital consumption in India, primarily due to the high level of interest among the younger demographic. An estimated 650 million people in India will consume short-form video content on a daily basis by 2025. The average duration of this daily consumption is expected to be approximately one hour. Typical content viewed will include comedy skits, exam preparation, health tips/recommendations, recipe videos & other forms of instructional video content.

Instagram and YouTube have blurred the lines between education and entertainment for both content creators and consumers. As a result, they have changed how creators use video to engage audiences and help people grow professionally.

Why do Indians keep returning to screens? For 43% of users, it was about unwinding — comedy and light entertainment offered relief from long workdays and academic pressure. Another 29% logged in to stay informed, with social platforms like Instagram emerging as unexpected news classrooms for the digital generation. Explainers on geopolitics, finance, and science now sit comfortably between dance reels and memes.

But the year also exposed a growing discomfort with digital excess. More than half of users admitted they wanted to reduce screen time, especially the habit of mindless scrolling. Parents worried about children glued to phones, while young adults spoke of “reel fatigue” — the feeling of being entertained yet exhausted.

Traditional television, once the undisputed king, continued to fade, now accounting for just 11% of viewing time. In its place, connected TVs, mobile screens and personalised algorithms reshaped how content is consumed — anytime, anywhere.

India’s digital media economy crossed $10 billion in 2025, but the real story lies beyond numbers. Screens became classrooms, companions and coping mechanisms. As India moves forward, the challenge isn’t choosing between OTT or reels — it’s learning how to watch consciously, scroll mindfully, and let screens enrich life without quietly taking it over.

Doraemooooooooon” Yes, that’s how GenZ is sounding right now because their most loved friend has become a history now. Doraemon ending RCTI broadcast after 37 years has shattered the hearts of GenZ around the world, especially Indian fans in particular who grew up watching Hungama TV reruns. 

Doraemon Broadcasting Ended on 29th December, 2025

The robotic cat from the 22nd century had its last episode aired on Indonesia's RCTI channel closing a chapter that had its start in 1989 for the audience in Southeast Asia. Thousands of episodes of the Doraemon anime have taught millions of life lessons through Nobita's failures making doraemon last episode RCTI trend around the globe as college students reliving their childhood.

Every 4 PM, Indian kids rushed home for Doraemon Hindi episodes where lazy Nobita flunked exams but bounced back with Anywhere Door, Bamboo Copter, Translation Konjac, memory bread or a new intriguing gadget. 

Things Doraemon Show Taught

Doraemon life lessons were different: 

  • Shizuka showed kindness beats beauty
  • Gian proved bullies need friends
  • Suneo taught money can't buy loyalty. 

Parents still quote "Nobita ki tarah mat bano" when kids don't do their homework, while secretly rejoicing when Doraemon clears Nobita's messes… pure friendship therapy before social media existed, right?

GenZ grew up learning resilience from the gadgets of Doraemon that are symbolic of hope: Big Light for dreaming of possibilities to make it out of a small town, Time Cloth to remind us to fix what went wrong yesterday. Doraemon moral stories formed values at a time when TikTok did not exist - patience, not shortcuts, teamwork, not solo wins. That Nobita-Shizuka wedding in Stand by Me Doraemon (2014) proved that flunkies do get happy endings, making every GenZ feeling "behind" in jobs or relationships a reality.

GenZ is Feeling Emotional 

RCTI Doraemon ending doesn't erase memories - Doraemon full episodes Hindi are available on Disney+ Hotstar (4k - Rs299/month - HD), MX Player (Free) Netflix (4K movies). Doraemon last episode Hindi searches spike as 20-somethings binge Hungama TV classics on YouTube. Doraemon streaming 2026 keeps the blue cat alive with 1,788 episodes (main series 1979-2005) plus 178 more (2005 revival) total 2,044 lifetime.

Doraemon taught GenZ that failure isn't the end, Nobita's F's became life's exam passes through friendship. 4D Pocket Solutions is much like Real Friends who Pull Us Through, right?  Doraemon quotes like "Losers have pride too" comforting every adult still finding his or her Shizuka. RCTI broadcast closed but Doraemon Childhood lessons guide GenZ forever.

At the end, we all just stand here at  the sill with a heavy yet joyous heart  as we move forward in life bidding our final goodbye to Doraemon who is our core memory. Thanks blue cat for 3+ decades of gadgets, doracakes, and hope. e

Remember, if Nobita can win, we can too; YOU can too. A beautiful future starts from 2026. 

Without any doubt, a New Year party in a government school has become the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons in Madhya Pradesh's Datia district after the video went viral on social media. Allegedly, the video is of a government middle school in Parasari village, where a group of female dancers can be seen grooving to the music inside the school while a few men are throwing money at them and dancing as well.

Principal Balwan Singh spoke to the media about the programme being permitted by the local panchayat after getting the permission. He mentioned that panchayat secretary Rinku Yadav and sarpanch Neelam Parihar were the individuals who, in their opinion, had given the go, ahead for the event.

The principal, narrating the incident, said the gathering was a cultural programme that was organised after school hours and was a part of the New Year celebrations.

The visuals of the event have stirred up an angry mob and have made people ask a very serious question of whether the decision was right to hold such an event in an educational institution.

"The reports from the media suggest that the event occurred during the New Year's holiday, on campus, after school was over. Once uploaded to the internet, the video exploded into the public consciousness creating an uproar from both the education department and from the local administrative agency."

Questions flooded in as to how a government school could be turned into a venue for such events when it was primarily meant for imparting education and discipline. The district authorities have not taken this lightly and have responded promptly. DPC Rajesh Shukla expressed that the video came to his notice and thus, a written explanation from the school principal has been solicited. He also emphasised that any programme held within the school should be carried out strictly in accordance with the rules and regulations laid down.

An investigation is in progress to ascertain who had authorised the holding of the programme and whether the circumstances of the consent, if any, have been breached.

The management is continuing with its probe. They will make a move if they find any illegal activities.

It has become the subject of a local debate concerning the use of school premises for non educational purposes and the responsibility of officials.

A workshop on the development of their intuition was conducted by the Art of Living at the Calcutta Blind School in Behala. The four-day course on the development of intuition was followed by a practice course of six days, where students between 8 and 20 years old could read, color, move about, and play games by the power of their gut.

During the interactive classes, students got 2.5 hours of activity every day and additional 40 minutes of practice at home. They acquired methods to tap into, nurture, utilize, and then sustain their innate intuitions. Exercises behind the blindfold for readings, colouring, walking, and playing are some examples of developing these skills.

This was stated by the faculty member of The Art of Living, Sangeeta Palliwal: “The regular practice helps them to develop much stronger capabilities within themselves and in every way they function in life. The blind students are able to detect the colors of things and also read without the help of braille.”

Participants were taught brain activation exercises according to their age, as well as meditation and relaxation techniques, which are considered important tools to help individuals enhance their intuition. In addition, they were given instructions on how to practice at home.

Blind and partially sighted students were able to recognize colors successfully. Participants and parents reported an awareness of surroundings, enabling them to get around with ease. A dynamic yet relaxed mind set helped them get the right idea at the right moment, assisting them with dealing with different situations of life.

Saji Cherian, Cultural Affairs Minister of Kerala, advised the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy on Tuesday (December 16) to proceed with the screening of all the films that are part of the 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK).

This includes 15 documentaries waiting for censor clearance from the union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B).  The Minister has made a strong statement against the Union government, as it was adversely affecting Kerala’s progressive cultural tradition.

“This is anti-democratic,” he said. “Anything that tries to meddle with the arts and the spirit of the festival will have strong opposition."

"We can't accept an approach which harms our tradition and progress of IFFK." "The State government will not back down from any attacks on artistic freedom," Cherian stated.

The Minister further stated that all 19 movies that were at first denied Central approval have since been identified and well-received by audiences across the globe. He stated that festival delegates had a valid cause to watch the movies since the movie titles were contained in the festival schedule and catalog sent out in advance.

The Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, also expressed his condemnation regarding the judgment made by the Union government. In his statement, he mentioned that the restrictions imposed on celebrating the festival resulted in authoritarian traits to suppress diverse voices of creativity. "Kerala won't give in to such censorship," declared the Chief Minister. "Every movie that has not got permission to be exhibited is all set to be exhibited at IFFK," further added Pinarayi Vijayan.

The festival that has been an annual event for the last 30 years faced its worst crisis ever when the censor exemption was denied. Several politicians and artists expressed their outrage against the Centre's decision that is seen as an attack on the freedom of speech. On Monday night, there were protests at the Tagore Theatre, which is the principal venue of the event. The protest was carried out by the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI).

Partial Approval Given.

The I&B Ministry gave the green light to five of the 19 movies rather early today, however. Some of the movies which were given the green light include Beef, Eagles of the Republic, Heart of the Wolf, Yes, and Once Upon a Time in Gaza.

Yet there are some popular films that are banned as well. These Palestinian films are “Palestine 36” and “All That’s Left of You.” Another example of a classic film banned by the country’s Ministry of Information is “Battleship Potemkin.” This is actually a very well-known classic film directed by Sergei Eisenstein and released in 1925 during the Soviet era and is actually known as a landmark in the field of cinema.

 Also banned are films such as “Santosh.”

“Timbuktu,” “Bamako,” directed by Abderrahmane Sissako, are also included in this list. This time, Sissako will be bestowed with the Lifetime Achievement Award at IFFK this year. “Bamako” examines the impact of international economic bodies such as IMF and World Bank on economic conditions in Africa.

Some of the films prohibited include the Egyptian drama film "Clash," the Argentine film "Hour of the Furnaces," which had been held at previous editions of the film festival. Other films yet to receive certification include "Red Rain," "Riverstone," "Tunnels: Sun in the Dark," and "Flames." Despite this ongoing standoff, the organizers of the festivals announced that movie shows are to take place as usual, in obedience to an order by the State government.

Dileep's Bha Bha Ba, short for Bhayam Bhakthi Bahumanam, exploded in Kerala theaters on December 18, 2025, marking his strong comeback with pure entertainer energy. Helmed by debutant Dhananjay Shankar from a script written by Fahim Safar and Noorin Shereef, the 2h45m-long UA action-comedy is from Sree Gokulam Movies and has Dileep as a successful conman, with Vineeth Sreenivasan and Dhyan Sreenivasan in interconnected lives, while Mohanlal has an extended cameo that steals the frames. 

Bha Bha Ba Public Review

Twitter buzz has termed the first half "pure madness" - no logic, just non-stop laughs, spoofs, retro fights, and Shaan Rahman BGM that fuels theater roars in Kochi, Trivandrum, Ernakulam, Calicut, and Dubai hubs.​

Trade site Sacnilk shared that Dileep and Mohanlal-starrer Bha Bha Ba had an overall 63.16% Malayalam occupancy in the Morning Shows on Thursday, December 18, 2025. By 3 pm the film made about Rs 1.89 Cr India net. 

A user on X wrote, “Bha Bha Bha is pure theatre material. Loved the whole atmosphere. The second half and climax was literally owned by this man with an extended cameo. Dileep is back after a while with a solid performance. Totally a paisa vasool (worth the money) entertainment.

People are also saying that Mohanlal’s cameo in the film stood out for a lot of fans. A netizen  wrote, “The moment Mohanlal enters, the film shifts gears completely. Pure aura, vintage swag, and iconic dance. Dileep continues in peak form, owning the screen with pure entertainer energy. Nonstop whistles.”

What Works (Pros)

  • Dileep in peak form: Vintage comedy-action, stunts, self-mockery & Ghilli references bring in whistles.
  • Sreenivasan brothers: Vineeth-Dhyan chemistry brings in the emotional hook amidst chaos.​
  • Mohanlal cameo: Power-packed second-half entry builds massive hype.
  • Mass vibes: Remix songs, trailer energy of "World of Madness"

What Doesn't (Cons)

  • Second half drags in 165-min runtime with repetitive tropes.
  • Overloaded mass elements might tire subtle comedy fans.

Verdict: 3.5/5 – A decent mass entertainer for Dileep fans; nice theater blast. Book My Show tickets get sold out in no time in PVR Lulu, Forum Mall.​ 

Bha Bha Ba Box Office Collection

The first day Bha Bha Ba collection is estimated to reach 3cr. It currently stands below 2cr but First Weekend Collection, as per critics, is expected to reach ₹10–13.5 Crore (Estimated).

Life Lessons from Bha Bha Ba (Bhayam Bhakthi Bahumanam) 

The title unpacks real student struggles: 

  1. Bhayam (Fear) - Beat exam anxiety like Dileep's fearless conman facing the consequences. 
  2. Bhakthi (Devotion) - Consistent revision turns grind unstoppable. 
  3. Bahumanam (Respect) - Effort earns prof nods and placements; brotherly bonds teach group project teamwork. 

Should students watch the Bha Bha Ba Kochi/Trivandrum shows? 

Yes, it’s the ultimate 3hr stress-buster for JEE/NEET/Kerala PSC batches wanting to have laughs after revision. Skip if deep plot or exam eve; the cinema lovers may find it too chaotic. 

Tip: Book online/offline now – post-movie, hit 1hr study for Dileep energy to fuel success!

Jayalalithaa was one of the most iconic actresses and amongst the most powerful women politicians in Indian history. She is one of the best leaders Tamil Nadu has ever produced. Whatever she touches, she does so with such elegance, intelligence, and instinctive purposefulness.

Besides being celebrated as a highly talented actor, there was one lesser-known fact about young Jayalalithaa: she happened to be a brilliant student. Her academic growth was marked with mileposts, forming a bedrock of strong commitment to education as Chief Minister. Jayalalithaa had won a State Gold Medal for topping Class 10 exams in Tamil Nadu-a shining example of her truly outstanding academic brilliance.

She shone in every sphere-be it academics, arts, or sports-at Church Park Convent, Chennai. With her graceful Bharatanatyam and Kathak dances, brilliant singing, and acting even from her school days, she stood out. She spoke Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, and English with ease and commanded elocution even in classical languages with the same ease. As head girl, she took up her responsibilities with seriousness and leadership that left a lasting impression on teachers and peers.

She won a government scholarship for higher education after school, joined Stella Maris College, Chennai, intending to do Law; but life had other plans. At her mother’s insistence, she quit college to join the film industry to help the family through difficult times economically. Though her academic career was short-lived, it was an important component in the molding of her intellect and discipline that later came to define her as a political leader. Her abiding respect for learning was reflected in her policies as Chief Minister, in which she made learning accessible, equitable, and empowering. Jayalalithaa believed in quality education, skill development, and equal opportunities, particularly for children from disadvantaged groups of society. 

Having experienced the snapping of her academic pathway, Jayalalithaa worked during her lifetime to make sure that no child was denied education owing to circumstances. She initiated various welfare programs aimed at the provisioning of essential school accessories and infrastructure. She distributed free laptops among higher secondary students; this was an epoch-making step to bridge the digital divide for improving digital literacy. She started the schemes aimed at providing free uniforms, bags, notebooks, and geometry boxes to the students of government schools. Realizing the problems many girl students face to reach school, she brought in the Free Bicycles Scheme aimed at improving access to education. Jayalalithaa also gave prime importance to infrastructure improvement in schools by announcing a series of new building projects and smart classrooms throughout Tamil Nadu. Jayalalithaa's most striking initiatives are the Amma Education Loan Scheme, which helped the unemployed youth to pay off their student loans without burden and allowed them to pursue their dreams.

The Amma Call Centre brought in counseling and career guidance, making them a right and not a privilege, thus giving a voice and direction to every student. During her tenure in the 1990s, she also fortified the 69% reservation in education and employment by providing legislative protection and ensuring its continuity and inclusiveness. Jayalalithaa's legacy runs much deeper than cinema and politics. Her contribution towards changing the face of education remodelled opportunities for millions of children in Tamil Nadu. Her strong academic foundation became the cornerstone of her visionary policies. A brilliant student who knew the transformative power of learning, Jayalalithaa remains an eternal role model for future generations.

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