This follows Ananya Birla’s announcement earlier this year of the launch of Birla Studios, a new film banner focused on developing high-concept, prestige-driven commercial cinema. The studio aims to create culturally resonant stories that combine artistic distinction with broad audience appeal across Indian and international markets.
The programme seeks to democratise access to the film industry by eliminating traditional barriers such as industry connections and formal training. Participants will be able to showcase their acting skills using only their smartphones, making the platform accessible to a wide and diverse audience, including aspirants from smaller towns and remote regions.
Announcing the initiative, entrepreneur and artist Ananya Birla said the project has been designed to provide a genuine opportunity for individuals who have long aspired to enter the world of cinema but lacked the means or access. She emphasised that the platform focuses solely on talent, offering participants a chance to be considered for roles in films based on their performances.
Backed by Vi’s extensive network reach, the talent hunt aims to penetrate deep into the country, encouraging widespread participation. The organisers position the initiative as India’s first large-scale mobile-driven acting discovery platform.
“India’s first mobile-first acting talent hunt. Launching soon!” reads the bio of the Reel Se Real Star Instagram account.
Sharing the announcement video, Ananya Birla (@viofficialfanworld on Instagram/Social Media) said on Monday, April 13, 2026:
“Not everyone gets a chance.
We’re here to change that.
Launching this June.
Reel Se Real Star — with Birla Studios partnering with Vodafone Idea — where anyone with a phone gets a chance to showcase their talent and get a real shot at being in a film. Register your interest now.”
Transcript of the Announcement Video
Ananya Birla: “Hi, I’m Ananya Birla. I’ve been working on something that I’m very dil se excited about, and I wanted to share it with you. Birla Studios is launching an acting talent hunt. It’s called “Reel Se Real Star,” and the idea is exactly what the name says. You, on your phone, getting a real shot at a film.
We’re doing this in partnership with Vi, because Vi India har ghar tak pahunchta hai—and this hunt too.
Toh ab, when it comes to Reel Se Real Star, no industry connections ki zaroorat, no special access, just you, your pure talent, and aapka phone.
Toh agar aapne kabhi yeh socha hai that, you know, I have something to show the world, or you’ve been struggling for a while to figure out how to go about doing this… be ready. Aapka time aane wala hai.
Reel Se Real Star. Coming Soon. Till then, you can register your interest. From Birla Studios and Vi,” Ananya Birla concluded in the video.
“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,” the companies said in a joint statement dated April 13, 2026.
According to the official release, 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.”
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,” the official release added.
“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.”
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