Birla Studios Partners with Vi to launch India’s First Mobile-First Democratic Talent Hunt – ‘Reel Se Real Star’

By leveraging Vodafone Idea’s digital reach and Birla Studios’ creative vision, the platform aims to build India’s most authentic and diverse acting talent pipeline, rooted in equal opportunity.
MUMBAI, 13 April 2026: Birla Studios, in collaboration with Vodafone Idea Limited, today announced the launch of Reel Se Real Star, a first-of-its-kind, mobile-first acting talent discovery platform designed to democratize entry into India’s entertainment industry.
With a vision to identify and launch , Reel Se Real Star removes traditional barriers of geography, access, and industry connections – opening the doors of cinema to anyone with a smartphone.
The property is built on a simple but powerful idea: talent can come from anywhere, and everyone deserves a stage.
Reflecting on the vision behind the platform, Ananya Birla, Founder and Chairperson of Birla Studios, noted: “Talent does not always get the opportunity it deserves— and that gap has kept far too many aspirants out of the spotlight. With the reach of digital infrastructure today, Birla Studios’ creative vision, and Vodafone Idea’s strong national footprint expanding this platform beyond conventional access points, we have the ability to create access at scale. We have a real opportunity to rethink how industries open their doors. ‘Reel Se Real Star’ is our attempt to do that by building a platform where anyone, from anywhere, can be discovered, and opportunity isn’t limited by circumstance. Because ultimately, everyone’s talent deserves a real shot at being seen.”
By leveraging Vodafone Idea’s digital reach and Birla Studios’ creative and cultural vision, the platform aims to build India’s most authentic and diverse acting talent pipeline, connecting untapped and deserving talent from across the country to mainstream entertainment.
Abhijit Kishore, CEO of Vodafone Idea, added, “Connectivity is most meaningful when it creates opportunity. ‘Reel Se Real Star’ breaks traditional industry barriers by bringing the audition room straight into the hands of the aspiring actors nationwide. Leveraging our robust network, expansive digital reach of over 200 million users and Birla Studios’ creative vision, we are democratizing talent discovery across India. Our goal is simple: to ensure potential isn’t limited by geography and can be discovered from anywhere – be it the bustling metro cities or remotest of the villages. We aren’t just building a platform, we’re giving millions a real shot at their dreams.
The nationwide initiative enables aspiring actors across India to showcase their craft through a fully digital, app and web-led journey. Participants can upload their auditions directly, eliminating the need for industry referrals.
At its core, Reel Se Real Star blends mass audience participation with expert mentorship as participants will be guided and evaluated by directors of repute and leading creative voices, ensuring credibility and craft excellence.
The winners will receive a breakthrough opportunity — a role in a feature film, working alongside an established director. The program will go live for participation on the Vi app in the coming months. For now, users can register their interest on Birla Studios’ or Vi’s websites.
About Birla Studios
Launched in 2026, Birla Studios is a film studio focused on building high-concept, commercial cinema. The studio is driven by a belief in stories that endure, prioritizing depth, craft, and long-term relevance. Genre-agnostic in approach, Birla Studios backs films with strong commercial appeal while nurturing promising talent, emerging voices and bold ideas. With an emphasis on scale, storytelling ambition, and thoughtful execution, the studio aims to create cinema that balances cultural specificity with universal reach.
About Vodafone Idea Limited
Vodafone Idea Limited is an Aditya Birla Group and Vodafone Group partnership. It is amongst India’s leading telecom service providers. The company holds a large spectrum portfolio including mid band 5G spectrum in 17 circles and mmWave spectrum in 16 circles. The Company provides Voice and Data services across 2G, 4G and 5G platforms and is expanding 5G services across 17 circles. To support the growing demand for data and voice, the Company is committed to delivering delightful customer experiences and contributing towards creating a truly ‘Digital India’ by enabling millions of citizens to connect and build a better tomorrow. The Company is developing infrastructure to introduce newer and smarter technologies, making both retail and enterprise customers future ready with innovative offerings, conveniently accessible through an ecosystem of digital channels as well as extensive on-ground presence. The Company’s equity shares are listed on National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the BSE in India. For more information, please visit: www.MyVi.in