Brands
Bhim names MS Dhoni as brand ambassador to boost trust
Payments app taps cricket icon to drive scale, inclusion and confidence
MUMBAI: Bhim Payments App has brought in a familiar face of calm and credibility, appointing Mahendra Singh Dhoni as its brand ambassador as it gears up for its next phase of growth.
Announced by NPCI BHIM Services Limited, the move pairs one of India’s most trusted cricketers with a payments platform that has quietly powered the country’s digital transactions for nearly a decade. The idea is simple. Build scale, deepen inclusion and, above all, strengthen user confidence.
The partnership leans on a shared reputation for reliability. While Bhim has grown into a widely used digital payments interface built on NPCI’s infrastructure, Dhoni’s journey from small-town beginnings to national leadership mirrors that steady rise, making the association feel less like a marketing move and more like a natural fit.
NBSL MD and CEO Lalitha Nataraj said, “As digital payments continue to scale in India, the next phase of growth is about strengthening preferences and deepening user confidence. With onboarding MS Dhoni as our brand ambassador, our objective is to position Bhim Payments App not just as a payments option but as the preferred app for each member in the Indian household.”
She added, “As Bhim Payments App enters its next phase of growth, trust remains at the centre of everything we do. Dhoni represents that same trust, built over time. That is why this partnership feels inevitable.”
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, said, “Over the years, I have always believed in keeping things simple and staying clear in approach. What stood out to me about Bhim is its focus on making digital payments straightforward and accessible to people across the country.”
He added, “As India continues to move towards greater digital adoption, it is important that users feel comfortable and confident while transacting. I am happy to be associated with an app that is built to serve everyday needs at scale.”
Repositioned as Bharat Ka Apna Payments App, Bhim has been widening its footprint across tier 1, 2 and 3 towns. With support for more than 15 regional languages and optimisation for low connectivity environments, the platform is designed to work as smoothly in smaller towns as it does in big cities.
Add to that reward-led features and growing merchant partnerships, and the app is aiming to stay not just relevant, but indispensable.
With Dhoni now at the crease, Bhim is clearly playing the long game, one built on trust, familiarity and everyday use.
Brands
Ravikant Sabnavis steps down as CEO of Arha Media after three years
Exit marks end of stint leading regional OTT platform ARHA’s turnaround
MUMBAI: Ravikant Sabnavis has stepped down as chief executive officer of Arha Media & Broadcasting, drawing the curtain on a three-year stint during which he led the regional OTT platform Aha through a key phase of transformation.
Sabnavis, who joined Arha Media in February 2023, is credited with steering a financial turnaround at Aha, a platform focused on Telugu and Tamil content. His tenure saw efforts to stabilise operations and sharpen the platform’s positioning in an increasingly competitive streaming market.
His exit also signals a pause, and perhaps a pivot, in a long career spanning media, marketing and business transformation. Alongside his corporate roles, Sabnavis has been actively mentoring startups and entrepreneurs, working closely with early-stage ventures as part of networks such as TiE Mumbai and the Confederation of Indian Industry.
Before Arha Media, he served as CEO of Innovative Oral Care, where he built a direct-to-consumer oral care business leveraging clinical expertise. Earlier, at Star TV, he led regional channel Star Pravah, driving a turnaround that pushed it to a leading position in its category.
His career also includes a stint as managing director at Blitz Multimedia Pvt Ltd, where he worked on repositioning legacy media brands and unlocking new revenue streams.
While Sabnavis has not publicly outlined his next move, his continued involvement in mentoring and investing suggests he may stay close to the startup ecosystem.
For Arha Media, the leadership change comes at a time when regional OTT platforms are recalibrating for scale and sustainability. Sabnavis leaves behind a platform that is steadier than when he arrived, even as the next chapter for both the company and the executive begins to take shape.
