Mumbai: As screen time continues to dominate modern life, from endless OTT platforms to constant scrolling, audience fatigue is becoming increasingly evident. Against this backdrop, Mumbai-based startup Velvet is carving out a new category in digital entertainment by offering immersive, screen-free storytelling that feels cinematic without relying on visuals.
Founded in mid-2024, Velvet positions itself as India’s first cinematic audio platform, delivering movie-like storytelling through sound alone. Unlike audiobooks or podcasts, Velvet’s content is produced with professional actors, layered sound design, background scores, and performance-driven direction, creating experiences that engage the imagination without overwhelming the senses.
Cinematic Audio: A Screen-Free Alternative to Video Overload
Velvet was built in response to a growing problem, video fatigue. With users increasingly overwhelmed by constant visual stimulation, the platform offers a calmer, audio-first form of entertainment that fits naturally into daily life. Whether during commutes, household routines, or bedtime listening, Velvet allows users to unplug their eyes while remaining deeply engaged.
Leading this vision is co-founder and CEO Akshat Saxena, a growth marketer with over 12 years of startup experience and a background at Pocket FM. His insight into consumer behaviour shaped Velvet as a platform that prioritises relaxation, imagination, and emotional storytelling over endless scrolling.
A Founder-Led Platform Blending Cinema, Storytelling, and Technology
Velvet’s differentiation lies in its founding team’s rare combination of skills across cinema, storytelling, growth, and technology. Actor and co-founder Pankaj Tripathi lends credibility and cultural depth to the brand, helping position Velvet as a premium, trustworthy platform for Indian audiences worldwide. Co-founder Vikas Kumar, a veteran dialogue coach and actor, ensures that performances in audio are as expressive and cinematic as on screen.
Story development is led by screenwriter co-founder Varad Bhatnagar, who adapts long-form screenwriting techniques into episodic, audio-first formats. The platform’s scalability and seamless user experience are powered by co-founder Sharib Khan, a US-based tech entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in product and engineering.
Rapid Subscriber Growth, Car Integrations, and Global Expansion
Velvet’s market traction has validated its category-creating approach. Within just four months of launching subscriptions, after initially operating as a free platform, the company crossed 15,000 paid subscribers, signalling strong consumer willingness to pay for high-quality Indian audio storytelling.
The platform has also expanded into everyday listening environments through in-car integrations with Skoda and Maruti Suzuki, making cinematic audio stories a natural companion during daily commutes. Additional automotive partnerships are currently in development.
Beyond India, Velvet is building partnerships in the US and Europe to serve the Indian diaspora, delivering culturally rooted stories to global listeners seeking a connection to home. Designed to be family-friendly, kids-safe, and emotionally enriching, Velvet is reviving the tradition of oral storytelling in a modern, premium format.
As audiences increasingly seek meaningful alternatives to screen-heavy entertainment, Velvet is positioning itself at the forefront of audio-first innovation, demonstrating that powerful stories do not need visuals to leave a lasting impact.
Tags
Cinematic Audio Platform
Screen Free Entertainment
Indian Audio Storytelling
Audio First Entertainment
Subscription Audio App
Family Friendly Audio Content
