MUMBAI: Kuku FM, a storytelling platform and Penguin Random House India (PRHI), a publishing house, have teamed up to launch 15 exclusive Hindi audiobooks adapted and produced by Kuku FM from Penguin’s bestselling collections.
The aim is to expand and diversify their storytelling library. It brings immersive listening options to meet the ever-growing demand for audio streaming and access to bestselling books in newer formats.
The list of adapted audiobooks features renowned luminaries and experts such as Gaur Gopal Das a Monk and spiritual Guru, Devdutt Pattanaik who is a writer and mythologist, Harish Bhat former advisor, director at Tata Group, Indira Nooyi former CEO PepsiCo, Raghuram Rajan-Former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India and Neena Gupta-acclaimed Bollywood actress to name a few.
“Our customers have higher expectations from us every day, and at Kuku FM, we love rising to that challenge. They know what they want and need plenty of choices. We aim to bring the best books to them in their language and give them a unique yet engaging listening experience.
“We are excited to partner with an iconic publisher like Penguin to not only expand our library but also ensure that we’re opening up a whole new world of entertainment and knowledge for every Indian in more accessible formats” said Lal Chand Bisu, CEO, co-founder Kuku FM.
Vijesh Kumar, VP- Product – Local and International, PRH India, said, “At Penguin, we are committed to making books more accessible and inclusive, ensuring they reach readers in the formats they love. Our exclusive partnership with Kuku FM marks an exciting milestone as we bring some of our most celebrated titles to Hindi audiobooks for the first time.
“With storytelling evolving beyond the page, audiobooks offer a dynamic and immersive way to experience books—welcoming both avid readers and new audiences alike. We’re thrilled to expand our Indian language publishing efforts and look forward to seeing these stories resonate with a wider audience”
“The collaboration is a critical extension of Kuku FM’s highly curated portfolio of stories and we are excited to expand this universe further with Penguin Random House India who are known to have some of the most storied authors and books in their library”, said Prerna Vohra, Head of Content Acquisition Kuku FM.
Vidhi Nangia, Manager- Audio, PRH India, said, “Audiobooks are seeing tremendous growth globally, and India is no exception, with the market expected to grow over 30% annually. Recognizing this shift in how audiences engage with literature, Penguin is thrilled to partner with Kuku FM to introduce 15 Hindi audiobooks by beloved authors such as Harish Bhat, Ankur Warikoo, and Indira Nooyi. Kuku FM’s commitment to exceptional curation and production ensures that our cherished works are presented with the utmost quality. This collaboration marks the beginning of a promising journey to make our stories accessible to an even broader audience.”
The new Hindi audiobooks will be available for purchase on the Kuku FM Android app from April 2025 onward, starting from Rs 175. This offers listeners an affordable way to experience literary classics and contemporary bestsellers in audio format and aligns with PRHI’s vision to democratize access to books in emerging new formats.
This collaboration is expected to significantly impact India’s rapidly growing audio streaming market. With the OTT audio market projected to reach $1.8 billion by 2025 (IMARC Group, 2023) and the number of OTT audio streaming users expected to surpass 100 million, Kuku FM is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth. The partnership with Penguin Random House India not only enhances Kuku FM’s content offerings but also demonstrates the platform’s and PRHI’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of Indian listeners, particularly in regional languages.
The List Of Titles Are:
1. Tata Stories – Harish Bhat
2. Bravehearts of Bharat – Vikram Sampath
3. My Life in Full – Indra Nooyi
4. Jeevan ke Adbhut Rahasya – Life’s Amazing Secrets – Gaur Gopal Das
5 India’s Most Fearless 1 Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh
6.India’s Most Fearless 2 Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh
7. Mythakon se Vigyan Tak – Gauhar Raza
8. Jaya – Devdutt Pattanaik
9. Breaking the Mould – Raghuram Rajan and Rohit Lamba
10. Energize Your Mind – Gaur Gopal Das
11. Make Epic Money – Ankur Warikoo
12. Sach Kahun Toh – Neena Gupta
13. Build and Epic Career – Ankur Warikoo
14. The Book of Ram – Devdutt Pattanaik
15. Manoj Bajpayee – Piyush Pandey
