Facebook, Instagram get new AR Filters and stickers

Facebook on Tuesday introduced new augmented reality-based filters and stickers on Facebook and Instagram in a bid to help users across the country to celebrate Durga Pujo.

The company said that these immersive AR filters and stickers will help users create fun and engaging Stories, Reels, Facebook posts and programming on specific hashtags like #DurgaPujo2020, #ShubhoMahalaya, #FBDurgaPujo and #IGDurgaPujo.

The company has introduced a new AR effect called Pujaparikrama that will allow people to virtually experience the Pujo and pandal festive experience. The company has also introduced another AR effect called Durga Pujo wherein users can switch between Ma Durga and an Asuram with a casual tilt of their heads.

In addition to that the company has also introduced Durga Pujo GIFs on both Facebook and Instagram that are easily searchable with the word ‘Pujo'. The company says that these Durga Pujo GIFs are designed to capture the spirit of the pujo from key days such as Saptami, Ashtami to key festive moments like ‘Dhanuchi Naach' & 'Sindur Khela'.

The company has also introduced new content programming, which includes Reely Phataphati Pujo that is Pujo specific content on Instagram’s new short form video feature, Reels. The company says that 35 of West Bengal’s top public figures and creators including Prosenjit Chatterjee, Jeet, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Bong Guy, Priyam Ghose, Indrani Biswas will take an active part in this year’s celebrations and showcase their Pujo celebrations through FB Lives, posts and IG Stories. Lastly, the company has introduced Facebook Live’s wherein people will be able to watch Pujo rituals and participate in the festivities from home through various Facebook Live’s by feature Pujo Pandals across the country.

“With the onset of the festive season, cultural celebrations have gone virtual in the new normal. From capturing feelings and expressions to celebrating together, Facebook and its family of apps have always played an important role in bringing people together. As we gear up to celebrate Durga Pujo, we’re glad to enable the connections and expression between friends and families, innovatively, in more ways than one,” Manish Chopra, Director and Head of Partnerships, Facebook India said on the occasion.