Entertainment

AA23 Theme Crosses 1 Million Instagram Reels; Allu Arjun–Lokesh Kanagaraj Celebrate Milestone


The upcoming pan-India film AA23, marking the first collaboration between Allu Arjun and Lokesh Kanagaraj, has achieved a significant digital milestone even before going on floors. The theme music of the film has crossed one million reels on Instagram, underlining the massive anticipation surrounding the project.

Lokesh recently shared a cheerful selfie with Allu Arjun as the makers revealed that the announcement track, titled “23 Theme,” had become a viral sensation. Composed by Anirudh Ravichander, the energetic rap-style number quickly struck a chord with fans following the film’s announcement earlier this year. The track has been widely used for reels, short videos and even as ringtones, reflecting its strong recall value.

AA23 was officially announced in January on the festive occasion of Sankranti (Bhogi, January 14) by Mythri Movie Makers after months of speculation. The production house unveiled a striking concept video carrying the tagline “Strive for greatness,” hinting at the film’s ambitious scale. The teaser featured a powerful visual of a man riding a horse through a dense forest as lions and wolves appear to bow before him, symbolising dominance and grandeur.

Sharing the announcement clip at the time, Lokesh expressed excitement about collaborating with Allu Arjun and reuniting with Anirudh Ravichander, describing the project as the beginning of a massive cinematic journey. The makers have confirmed that the film will have a grand pan-India release.

The celebration of the theme’s digital success comes amid recent online discussions surrounding a reported “42 dos and don’ts” controversy. A brand strategist had claimed on a podcast that a detailed list of guidelines was shared ahead of a scheduled meeting with the actor. The remarks went viral, prompting widespread debate on social media. However, Allu Arjun’s team strongly denied the allegations and reportedly threatened legal action following the backlash. Subsequently, both the brand strategist and the podcaster issued public apologies, and the episode along with related social media clips was taken down.

Despite the surrounding chatter, the momentum around AA23 continues to grow. With its theme already setting records online and the combination of Allu Arjun, Lokesh Kanagaraj and Anirudh Ravichander generating enormous interest, the film is shaping up to be one of the most awaited pan-India projects in the coming years.

EduConnect

Goan Creator Bags Runner-Up at SFTI Surat Ganpati Reel Competition


Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

Goan content creator Mario Pimenta has added another feather to his cap by securing second place at the Ganpati Reel Competition organized by the Spandan Film and Television Institute (SFTI), Surat. Known online as @mario_sarkaar, Mario regularly participates in content competitions across local, national, and international platforms, and this latest recognition adds to his growing list of accolades.

For his entry, Mario collaborated with classmate Cayfel Almeida, who captured video footage of vibrant Ganesh pandals in Margao. Mario then edited the clips to create a compelling Instagram Reel that showcased the cultural spirit of Goa’s Ganpati celebrations. The competition, organized by SFTI Surat— the city’s first inclusive film school— judged entries based on the number of views received on Instagram.

The first place went to The Curious Mind Academy, while Komal Agarwal secured third position. Mario’s recognition marks not only personal achievement but also highlights the creative potential emerging from Goa’s digital landscape. His storytelling approach, rooted in local culture and powered by modern editing techniques, continues to resonate with wider audiences.

This win during a culturally rich competition shines a light on the growing presence of Goan creators in India’s digital content scene, proving that meaningful stories can emerge from every corner of the country.

TechPulse

Instagram Rolls Out Auto-Scroll Feature for Reels and Posts: A New Way to Browse Content Passively


San Francisco – In its latest move to redefine how users interact with content, Instagram has begun rolling out an auto-scroll feature for both Reels and traditional posts, allowing for a seamless, hands-free viewing experience.

The update, which is currently live for select users, introduces a feature that automatically scrolls through content at a steady pace, eliminating the need to swipe manually. While subtle, the change signals a major shift in how users may engage with content in the near future — moving toward a lean-back, passive consumption model similar to what platforms like TikTok and YouTube have explored with autoplay features.

Why It Matters

Instagram’s new feature is designed to:

  • Enhance content discoverability
  • Encourage longer viewing times
  • Improve accessibility for users with limited mobility
  • Provide a more relaxed viewing experience, ideal for multitasking or casual scrolling

This update also aligns with Meta’s larger vision to increase in-app engagement, especially as Reels continues to compete with TikTok’s short-form dominance. With the line between entertainment platforms and social networks blurring, features like auto-scroll are critical to retaining user attention in a highly competitive digital landscape.

What Users Can Expect

  • Reels and posts will scroll automatically after a few seconds
  • You can pause, manually scroll, or return to standard swiping anytime
  • Initial rollout is limited to test groups, but a global release is expected soon

Industry Reactions

Social media strategists and UX designers are already weighing in. Many see this as a natural evolution of Instagram’s focus on passive content consumption, while others raise concerns about reduced user control and content fatigue.

Nevertheless, the move shows that Instagram is adapting to the changing behaviors of its global user base, offering features that promote both convenience and deeper engagement.