Mumbai: The fusion of gaming, entertainment, and the metaverse is transforming how we engage with digital content. As virtual environments become more immersive and interactive, they offer unprecedented opportunities for users to interact with their favorite entertainment franchises and brands.

Leading this evolution is BharatBox, which pioneers the integration of Bollywood IPs and digital experiences into the metaverse. Through innovative partnerships and groundbreaking initiatives, BharatBox is redefining entertainment and gaming in India, creating a vibrant ecosystem where virtual and physical realities converge seamlessly.

Indiantelevision.com caught up with BharatBox CEO Karan Keswani to gain insights on their inception, their collaboration with Shemaroo and integration of Bollywood IPs into the metaverse, and much more…

Edited Excerpts:

On the inspiration behind the inception of BharatBox and the collaboration between Brinc and Sandbox

The inspiration behind BharatBox stems from India's unique cultural landscape and its potential as a vast market. As the managing director of Brinc India, I recognised the opportunity to bring blockchain to the forefront of mass adoption in India.

This collaboration between Brinc and Sandbox leverages our shared vision. In fact, India is the only country where Sandbox has formed a joint venture, highlighting the immense scope and significance of the Indian market. We have already published 13 experiences from India, onboarded over 25 partners, and collaborated with five global IP brands, establishing ourselves as Sandbox’s largest market.

On the collaboration with Shemaroo shaping BharatBox's integration of Bollywood IPs into the metaverse, and the unique entertainment experiences that can fans expect as a result; How do you see it reshaping the entertainment landscape in India?

Our collaboration with Shemaroo has been instrumental in integrating eminent Bollywood IPs into the metaverse and blockchain gaming. We're starting with exciting games based on iconic films like "Jab We Met" featuring Geet, played by Kareena Kapoor, "The Great Gambler" with Amitabh Bachchan, and "Tango Charlie."

But then you ask what’s the point of all this, right? So, Bollywood IPs traditionally have a shelf life limited to their movie releases, but our immersive games and experiences will keep these IPs relevant and growing. We envision the entertainment and gaming industries complementing each other, with all entertainment IPs eventually having gaming experiences in the metaverse. This will reshape the Indian entertainment landscape by blending traditional media with interactive, immersive content.

On the technology powering BharatBox's NFT initiatives, especially regarding Ritviz's concert and future events

BharatBox is pioneering fan engagement solutions for live events, starting with Ritviz's concert. We developed a fan engagement platform that enhances brand loyalty through digital collectibles, such as VIP and Fan pit passes. These included meet-and-greet opportunities, signed merchandise, and of course, a tokenized collectible of your tickets.

This platform streamlines user touchpoints, delivering the best event experiences while helping brands achieve their KPIs and foster deeper connections with their audience.

The response for the product is quite positive. We are already in discussions with big brands like Kingfisher, Conde Nast, Ironman 70.3, and Hungama for future events, aiming to provide tangible value and enhanced fan experiences through NFTs.

On the partnership with KGeN contributing to building the Indian metaverse ecosystem, and the immediate goals for Hungama World and your insights into any future collaborations in this space

Our partnership with KGeN is pivotal in community building and user onboarding for immersive experiences and blockchain gaming. KGeN, as a land partner, has driven community participation in our quests and experiences. For Hungama World, launched last December, we achieved impressive metrics: over 33,000 visits, 22,800 unique users, and 1,358 NFTs sold. IndiGG's quest campaigns have further amplified our reach, rewarding users for engaging with our metaverse experiences. Following this, future collaborations aim to replicate and build on this success, bringing more Bollywood IPs and brands into the metaverse, enriching the Indian digital ecosystem.

On the main goals and vision behind the Mahabharat project in the metaverse, and the collaboration with Mythoverse facilitating this vision

Our collaboration with Mythoverse Studios aims to bring the epic Mahabharata to life in the metaverse. The goal is to create a voxel version of the saga, featuring digital collectibles and environments inspired by the epic. This project will introduce Indian mythology to a global audience through immersive experiences, making it accessible, engaging, and rewarding.

Mythoverse is already developing IPs in games and comics, and the first experience will be launched in the Sandbox metaverse. This initiative will allow gamers worldwide to explore and learn about Mahabharata in an interactive, engaging, and most importantly - rewarding manner.

On some of the unique challenges and opportunities you've encountered while introducing Web3 and metaverse concepts to the Indian market and BharatBox addressing these challenges

India is a rapidly growing market for digital innovation, with the metaverse market expected to grow exponentially. However, transitioning users from Web2 to Web3 poses significant challenges, particularly in simplifying the onboarding process.

We have addressed this by integrating social logins for wallet creation, i.e., using your email address to sign up, making the process seamless.

Educating users about the value of digital collectibles and their utility is another hurdle. We run educational campaigns to highlight the tangible benefits and potential for user-generated content in The Sandbox.

By attaching phygital utilities to our offerings, we ensure they have real-world and digital value, enhancing user engagement and adoption.

On BharatBox measuring the success and impact of its metaverse projects and partnerships and are there specific metrics or indicators that are particularly meaningful to the company

Success for BharatBox is measured by user engagement, the number of experiences published, and the growth of our user base. We track metrics such as the number of users participating in our experiences, the time they spend, and their interactions with digital assets.

Additionally, we monitor how effectively these experiences help brands achieve their KPIs and foster community engagement. The completion rates of quests, the number of NFTs sold, and user feedback are also crucial indicators.

Our goal is to create user-friendly, engaging experiences that educate and entertain, building brand loyalty and community trust in the metaverse.

On your vision for the Indian metaverse ecosystem in the next five to ten years, and how does BharatBox plan to contribute to its growth and development

Our vision for the Indian metaverse ecosystem is to create a vibrant, interconnected space where digital and physical experiences converge. Over the next five to ten years, we aim to onboard more Web2 clients, facilitating their transition to Web3. By working closely with brands and IPs, we plan to develop immersive experiences that resonate with a broad audience.

BharatBox will continue to drive innovation, creating a robust infrastructure for the Indian metaverse. Our focus will be on enhancing user engagement, fostering community growth, and ensuring that digital experiences have tangible value.