Tag: YouTube India

Awards

Screen Awards 2025: A Cultural Milestone Goes Digital-First with YouTube

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The Indian Express Group has announced a groundbreaking transformation of one of India’s most iconic film award shows — Screen Awards 2025. This year, the awards take a digital-first leap, streaming exclusively on YouTube to bring together the grandeur of Bollywood with the dynamism of digital creators.

Backed by the editorial credibility of the Indian Express Group and chosen by the Screen Academy, an independent body of acclaimed filmmakers and artists, Screen Awards 2025 promises recognition based on merit and integrity.

📌 Why It’s Historic:

  • First time Screen Awards will be fully digital-first, streamed worldwide on YouTube.
  • Bollywood superstars will share the spotlight with YouTube creators, symbolizing the convergence of cinema and new-age storytelling.
  • A 3-month-long cultural festival featuring red carpet events, behind-the-scenes coverage, creator-led content, and fan engagement.

📌 Industry Voices:

  • Anant Goenka, Executive Director, Indian Express Group, emphasized that the awards aim to celebrate creativity beyond box-office numbers, spotlighting India’s most original voices.
  • Gunjan Soni, MD YouTube India, called it a milestone collaboration that blends Bollywood’s stars with YouTube’s fandom-driven creator ecosystem.
  • Priyanka Sinha Jha, Curator of Screen Awards, highlighted the legacy of Screen as India’s first jury-based film award and now, the first to go fully digital.

📌 Why YouTube?
With YouTube reaching 4 out of 5 Indian internet users and entertainment videos generating over 7.5 billion daily views worldwide in 2024, the platform offers unmatched scale. Connected TVs (CTV) — YouTube’s fastest-growing screen in India — ensure accessibility across devices, bridging traditional and digital audiences.

📌 Legacy Meets Future:
Since its inception in 1995, Screen Awards has been a pioneer in Indian entertainment. From being the first jury-based film award to hosting Oscar representatives, it has always been about credibility and innovation. With this YouTube partnership, Screen Awards once again sets a new standard, symbolizing India’s entertainment future.

👉 Screen Awards 2025 is not just another awards night. It is a digital cultural festival — a stage where cinema, creators, and communities converge.

Entertainment

John D’Silva Becomes First Goan Konkani Creator to Receive YouTube Silver Play Button

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Panaji, Goa – 27 June 2025: Veteran Indian actor and celebrated Goan comedian John D’Silva has achieved a historic digital milestone — his YouTube channel, John D’ Silva, has officially crossed 1 lakh (100,000) subscribers, earning him the prestigious Silver Play Button from YouTube.

This isn’t just a personal achievement — it’s a landmark moment for the Goan and Konkani-speaking community, as John D’Silva’s channel is now the first-ever Goan Konkani YouTube channel to receive this international honour.

With decades of experience in theatre, film, and comedy, John D’Silva has long been a household name in Goa. Known for his sharp wit, cultural storytelling, and his dedication to preserving Goan identity through humor and drama, his transition to YouTube marked a new chapter in his career — one that has brought Konkani entertainment to a global digital audience.

“With the blessings of the Almighty God, I’m very delighted to announce that my YouTube channel ‘John D’ Silva’ has crossed 1 lakh subscribers,” John shared with pride. “What makes this even more special is that this is now the first ever Goan Konkani channel to receive this honour.”

The Silver Play Button is awarded by YouTube to creators who reach 100,000 subscribers — a mark of consistency, creativity, and strong audience connection. For the Goan community, this achievement is not just symbolic, but inspirational. It highlights the power of regional content and reaffirms that Konkani language and culture have a thriving and appreciative audience far beyond Goa.

John’s content — a mix of comedy skits, Konkani plays, character-driven humor, and cultural narratives — has resonated with viewers of all ages, not only in Goa but across the Goan diaspora in the UK, Middle East, Canada, and beyond.

In a heartfelt message, John D’Silva extended his thanks to his fans and supporters:

“This milestone is not just mine, it’s ours. A big thank you to everyone who watches my videos and subscribes to my channel. Your support means everything. Let’s continue to laugh together, preserve our culture, and spread the joy of Konkani around the world.”

With this milestone, John D’Silva continues to break new ground for Goan artists in the digital space. His journey is a reminder that regional voices matter, and that with passion and persistence, local language content can shine on global platforms.

The Goan entertainment industry — especially its digital creators — will undoubtedly look to John D’Silva’s achievement as motivation to dream bigger, create boldly, and keep telling their stories.