Once more with feeling: An ambitious bid to build a digital Disneyland for fans

This entrepreneur, who entered the startup ecosystem when he was only thirteen years old, wants to build a digital Disneyland for fans of movies, music, sports, and more, and he is starting with none other than Telugu film star turned political figure, Pawan Kalyan, the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.

Akash Mamidi has an ambitious vision for entertainment, to turn fan engagement into something far more immersive than scrolling a feed or liking a post. 

“Our platform provides tools that enable people to experience the same magical feeling they get when visiting Disneyland, attending a movie premiere, or meeting a favorite actor. Our goal is to replicate that feeling as often as possible, maximizing their happiness,” he says.

Mamidi is launching “Once More”, a content platform designed to give fans exclusive access to behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, games, and AI-powered digital experiences tied to the content creators or brands they cherish. Initially debuting as a website before expanding into an app, the platform aims to reimagine fandom as an active, playful space rather than a passive one.

Unlocking the “OG” Experience

The company’s first major partnership is with the upcoming Indian Telugu film “They Call Him OG”. Its star, Pawan Kalyan, a towering figure in both cinema and politics, already commands one of the largest fan followings in India. But Mamidi didn’t want to simply drop exclusive content to mark the launch. Instead, fans are asked to work together to unlock it.

Keeping things in sync with the storyline in the movie OG, players unlock interviews, behind-the-scenes clips, and special footage through three mini-games set in a Japanese samurai-inspired universe.

“It’s a way for fans to feel a sense of ownership over the content, believing it belongs to them because they contributed to its release. This makes them feel special. Typically, a celebrity is chosen to launch a trailer or similar content, but in this instance, we are asking the fans to launch this content,” he explains.

“Typically, a celebrity is chosen to launch a trailer or similar content, but in this instance, we are asking the fans to launch this content,”

Securing the deal was no small feat. With few industry connections, Mamidi resorted to what he jokingly called “social hacking” to get face time with the film’s director. The young and enthusiastic director was intrigued by a Stanford graduate wanting to meet him, so he agreed. 

“When I pitched our idea to have him as our first launch partner, he was excited and agreed to collaborate,” he recalls. 

The platform is also offering fans digital collectible cards, which are particularly effective because everyone wants to use them as their profile picture, share them on their profile, or post them as a status or story. 

““Imagine hundreds of thousands of fans discussing and sharing your movie. They’re a fantastic sharing element that grabs people’s attention and generates excitement around a new movie release,” he added.

The AI Twist

Mamidi’s company, NPlus Labs, is based in Hyderabad and California. Going ahead, there are plans to implement features like an interactive spin-the-wheel, where fans can win prizes or coupons linked to their favorite films and stars.

“I saw an untapped space to offer fans novel experiences. With AI making it increasingly easy to build such tools and scale them, and with fans constantly craving more exciting and meaningful engagement, there’s a clear demand to be met.”

But the real differentiator, Mamidi argues, lies in how AI powers personalization. In the future, fans might see their name integrated into a trailer, or influence a storyline based on choices they make in games. At the same time, content studios, producers, or sports teams could have access to easy-to-use tools to craft and deploy custom digital experiences. 

“I saw an untapped space to offer fans novel experiences. With AI making it increasingly easy to build such tools and scale them, and with fans constantly craving more exciting and meaningful engagement, there’s a clear demand to be met,” he explains.

From Blood Banks to Blockbusters

Mamidi’s entrepreneurial streak didn’t start with entertainment. In college, after a friend’s accident revealed the difficulty of sourcing blood, he founded the Mother Blood Bank, a platform connecting donors with those in need. The project quickly scaled, gaining volunteers, hospital integrations, and awareness campaigns.

Later, he went to Stanford University to study Computer Science (AI track) on scholarship, but personal hardship brought him back home to care for his grandmother and father. During that period, Mamidi leaned on movies and music for comfort. 

“I realized how much entertainment helps us during difficult times. When I couldn’t draw energy from those around me, I found solace and motivation in things like a favorite actor’s new movie, re-watching shows, or listening to a favorite musician’s new song. Even watching Virat Kohli play kept me going.”

“I realized how much entertainment helps us during difficult times. When I couldn’t draw energy from those around me, I found solace and motivation in things like a favorite actor’s new movie, re-watching shows, or listening to a favorite musician’s new song. Even watching Virat Kohli play kept me going,” he reflected. 

What if fans could engage with their favorite content beyond just watching? What if AI could make those experiences personal and meaningful? Such thoughts became the foundation for Once More.

Entertainment as Tomorrow’s Bedrock

Entertainment is important in India. As per data from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), India remains the global leader in film production, producing over 2,500 films, over triple the output of the next highest producer.

That’s why Mamidi sees his venture not just as a business but as a bet on the future. With AI expected to free up human time and wealth, he argues that entertainment will become even more central to people’s lives. 

“This is a chance for me to deliver happiness to people at scale and also build one of the biggest companies in the world. Because that’s how big I feel the opportunity is here.”

“This is a chance for me to deliver happiness to people at scale and also build one of the biggest companies in the world. Because that’s how big I feel the opportunity is here,” he emphasizes.

In the future, by blending AI, blockchain, and AR/VR technologies, Mamidi hopes Once More will become the go-to destination for immersive fan engagement. And he’s already thinking big, future partnerships could include global stars like Salman Khan, and expansion across sports and music.

For Mamidi, it all comes back to building spaces where fans feel joy. 

“At the end of the day, it’s a platform where fans can feel magical and they can have meaningful interactions with their favorite content creator,” he concludes.