Category Archives: Business

Rachana Mistry from Star Bharat’s ‘Na Umra Ki Seema Ho’ shows her directorial skills for the upcoming sequence

Rachna Mistry, a talented actress and the lead of the show ‘Na Umra Ki Seema Ho’ on Star Bharat demonstrated her directorial skills by shooting a scene herself. Rachna Mistry, known for her significant roles in various serials, currently plays the lead role in the show, which has received positive feedback from the audience. The show features Iqbal Khan and Rachna Mistry as Dev-Vidhi, captivating viewers with their characters’ boundary-breaking love story. The couple’s on-screen chemistry has been so convincing that they have now tied the knot, defying social norms. What makes this particular scene special is that Rachna Mistry, the lead actress, took charge of shooting it herself. In a special conversation, she revealed the main reason behind this decision. It will be an enjoyable experience for the audience to see how Rachna excels in directing, in addition to her acting skills.

Rachna Mistry, who portrays the character of Vidhi in the show, shared her shooting experience, saying, “There was a scene in the show where my legs were supposed to be filmed while walking, but due to sunlight, the shot couldn’t be captured. If someone else had walked, I would have had to cancel the shot or shoot it myself. However, the camera was quite heavy, weighing about 25 kg, and I was concerned about damaging a camera worth lakhs. That’s when we decided that I would shoot the scene and handle the camera. I expressed my interest to the Director of Photography (DOP) and he asked me to feel the weight of the camera. After realizing that I could handle it, he trusted me and handed over the camera. I passed the test.”

She further added, “I have always enjoyed being in front of the camera, but that day, I realized the immense effort and hard work that goes on behind the scenes. It’s not an easy task, especially for the DOP who strives to capture the perfect shot while carrying the heavy camera on their shoulder. Everyone on the set, including myself, thoroughly enjoyed the moment.”

The upcoming storyline of the show promises to be captivating, with numerous twists and turns. The entry of Jai will test Dev and Vidhi’s relationship, presenting them with new challenges they must overcome to be together.

To witness this thrilling scene, don’t forget to tune in to ‘Na Umar Ki Seema Ho’ every Monday-Friday at 8 PM on Star Bharat.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Records Highest-ever Monthly Sales of 20,410 units In May 2023

Bangalore,2nd June 2023 – Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) achieves the highest-ever monthly cumulative sales of 20,410 units for May 2023 thus reporting growth of 110% over 10,216 units in May 2022. The company registered domestic sales of 1,9379 units and export sales of 1031 units of The Urban Cruiser Hyryder this month. TKM also witnessed a jump of 32% over April 2023 where the company had sold 15,510 units.

The positive trend continues as the company reported strong performance with a growth of 42% in the first five months of the Calendar year 2023 (January-May) by selling 82,763 units as compared to of 58,505 units achieved in the same period last year.

Sales Performance:

  Commenting on the sales Mr. Atul Sood, Vice President of Sales and Strategic Marketing at Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “Toyota Kirloskar Motor has scaled a new high by reporting the highest monthly sales performance of 20,410 units. As we look forward, given the sustained momentum, we continue to be optimistic for the rest of the year by prioritizing the customers’ needs. We believe that the strong upward trajectory highlights the company’s customer alignment and ever-growing product popularity with the latest launches like Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Innova Hycross and the Hilux that continue to support the strong sales momentum in their respective segments. The popularity of Hilux, in particular, continues to grow and exhilarate customers all over India, thanks to its versatility and robust performance.

 As a customer-centric company, we always strive to understand and exceed the expectations of our valued customers by continuing to implement diverse measures to take care of their needs and offer products that excel in quality, reliability and durability. In-line with this approach, we recently enhanced our production by implementing the third-shift of operations at our Bidadi plant from May 2023 which has greatly contributed to addressing the market’s needs. Apart from reduction of waiting period for delivery, this measure will also further allow us to contribute to the nation’s ‘Make in India’ mission and generating additional employment opportunities in the region. We take great pride in sharing that all our products are performing exceptionally well, reaffirming our customers’ satisfaction & strong confidence in us. Moreover, we are optimistic about the future and confident that our positive momentum will enable us to add in valued customers across the nation, thereby ensuring ‘Mass Happiness to All’ – he further added.

 In line with its commitment to building lasting connections with customers, TKM recently announced the highly anticipated “Great 4X4 X-pedition”, designed to engage with the 4×4 SUV enthusiasts across India, by offering exciting and thrilling off-roading experiences. This flagship initiative aspires to connect participants with their sense of adventure and inspire more people to pursue their passion for adventure & motorsports. Set to be held across four zones (regional level – North, South, East and West), with a ‘Grand National 4×4 X-pedition’, this exclusive first event kicked off in the Southern zone, covering scenic locations and historical points of Bangalore–Sakleshpur-Hassan offering thrilling experiences through curated on-road and off-road drives.

 Overview of TKM

Overview of TKM 1st Plant:

Overview of TKM 2nd Plant:

Figaro’s Pizza Expands its Footprint with New Store Launches in Hyderabad and Delhi

Hyderabad, Telangana,2nd June 2023 Figaro’s Pizza, a renowned 40-year-old American pizza chain, which has partnered with Ichakdana Food Services in India as a master franchise, is thrilled to announce the opening of two new stores in India. The first store is located in the vibrant city of Hyderabad, at Kondapur, Telangana. The second store is situated in Kalkaji, Delhi, offering a delectable pizza experience to residents and visitors in these bustling cities.

Figaro’s Pizza, America’s most popular QSR, has garnered a loyal following worldwide with its commitment to delivering authentic flavours, high-quality ingredients, and exceptional customer service. With the new store launches in the pipeline in the next coming months, Figaro’s Pizza aims to continue its PAN India expansion, aiming to provide pizza enthusiasts with an unforgettable dining experience.

The Hyderabad store opening on June 2023, at the prime location of Hi-tech City Rd in Kondapur, promises to be a culinary hotspot for pizza lovers. Hyderabad’s vibrant food scene and tech-driven atmosphere make it an ideal location for Figaro’s Pizza to introduce its mouth-watering menu, which includes a wide variety of handcrafted pizzas, scrumptious sides, and indulgent desserts.

The second store, situated in the main market of Kalkaji, Delhi, brings Figaro’s Pizza’s signature flavours to the heart of the national capital. Known for its diverse culinary landscape, Delhi offers the perfect backdrop for Figaro’s Pizza to delight locals with its freshly made pizzas, rich in flavour and quality. Bringing their 40-year-old legacy to the city, Figaro’s Pizza’s cheesy delights are sure to enamour you with the very first bite.

“At Figaro’s Pizza, we are excited to open our maiden stores at two very prime location in the major Indian markets cape. We wish to expand our presence all across India and bring the unique pizza experience to even more customers,” said Ms’ Venus Barak, CEO of Fran Global, Market Entry Specialists that made Figaro’s Pizza India expansion possible. “Our commitment to using the finest ingredients, handcrafted dough, and exceptional flavours sets us apart. We are thrilled to invite the residents of Hyderabad and Delhi to savour our delicious pizzas and create memorable moments with family and friends. Meanwhile, we have new stores opening soon in other states for India to experience the surreal legacy brand pizza experience!”

Figaro’s Pizza has already signed 5 area developer rights in various states and regions in India and has been growing steadily through a very structured franchise & area developer network. New stores will soon open in Jalandhar, Punjab as well as in Jaipur, Rajasthan. With the aim to have 100 stores in India by 2025, Figaro’s Pizza is paving its path towards consistent growth, bringing its iconic delightful delicacies across the country.

Stryder announces hottest deals on the coolest E-bikes this season

Mumbai,2nd June 2023: Celebrating the significance of World Bicycle Day and advocating sustainable transportation, Stryder, a wholly owned subsidiary of TATA International, today announced special limited-period discount offers on its cutting-edge e-bike collection. The E-bike sale will commence on June 3rd, World Bicycle Day, and will be available for a limited period only.

Stryder’s range of E-bikes now comes with discounts of up to Rs 5000 and free accessories worth Rs 2000. Customers can purchase these high-quality e-bicycles at unbeatable prices exclusively on Stryder’s website (www.stryderbikes.com).

Rahul Gupta, Business Head of Stryder, said, “With the rising momentum of green mobility in India and contributing to the government’s endeavour of attaining carbon neutrality by 2070, Stryder is dedicated towards delivering eco-friendly and sustainable mobility solutions. Whether you are a young professional or seeking a greener mode of transportation, our e-bikes provide a fantastic solution that brings joy to your ride.’’

Stryder’s latest offers on its E-bikes include the sleek ETB 100, which features an alloy frame and zoom that ensures a smooth and comfortable ride even on bumpy roads. Other models such as Voltic 1.7 and Voltic Go are also popular choices, boasting of LED consoles with 5 ride mode options with battery indicators, setting them apart from the competition.

With a range of up to 50km in Pedal Assist mode and a low running cost of just 6 paise/km, these electric bikes provide a superior riding experience at an unbeatable value. Plus, these e-bikes come equipped with a 48v Li-ion battery that quick-charges in 3 hrs, so that you can spend less time charging and more time exploring.

First Look of The Summer I turned Pretty Season 2

MUMBAI,2nd June 2023 India: Belly used to count down the days until she could return to Cousins Beach, but with Conrad and Jeremiah fighting over her heart and the return of Susannah’s cancer, she’s not sure summer will ever be the same. When an unexpected visitor threatens the future of Susannah’s beloved house, Belly has to rally the gang to come together—and to decide once and for all where her heart lies.

Season Two of The Summer I Turned Pretty is led by showrunners Han and Sarah Kucserka. Han, Kucserka, Karen Rosenfelt, and Gabrielle Stanton serve as executive producers, along with Hope Hartman, Mads Hansen, and Paul Lee for wire. The series is a co-production of Amazon Studios and will.

Jenny Han is the No. 1 New York Times best-selling author of the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and The Summer I Turned Pretty series. Her books have been published in more than 30 languages. For television, she created two new series based on her books—Prime Video’s The Summer I Turned Pretty, which she executive produces and co-showrunners, and the Netflix series XO, Kitty, a spinoff of the To All the Boys universe, which she also executive produces and co-show runs. For the film, she executive produced all three films in Netflix’s global hit To All the Boys trilogy. Han lives in Brooklyn, New York.

HDFC Bank Launches Mega Car Loan Mela in Central India and Maharashtra

Mumbai,2nd June 2023 HDFC Bank, India’s leading private sector bank, today announced the launch of a mega ‘Car loan Mela’ in Central India and Maharashtra. Over 650 bank branches across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Northern Maharashtra, and Vidarbha, will host the car loan drive on June 2 and 3, in partnership with leading automobile brands and car dealerships. Car dealers will be present at the branches to showcase their automobile models and will allow customers to take test drives of the vehicles. The Bank would provide on-the-spot loan sanctions to eligible customers.

HDFC Bank provides a host of loans to all customers at affordable interest rates. The ‘Car-loan Mela’ is envisioned to provide customers easy access to automobile finance, especially in the SURU (semi-urban and rural) locations. The Bank will provide an end-to-end solution for processing loan requests with a variety of repayment configurations and minimal paperwork.

For the year ending 31st March 2023, HDFC Bank’s auto loan book size was Rs 1,17,429 crore. Last year, HDFC Bank introduced the ‘Xpress Car Loan’ facility, a state-of-the-art digital API platform that helps credit loans into accounts of dealers in about 30 minutes.

Le Meridien Hyderabad appoints Faiyaz Ansari as the Rooms Division Manager

Hyderabad: Le Meridien Hyderabad is pleased to announce the appointment of Faiyaz Ansarias the Rooms Division Manager. A seasoned hotelier, Faiyaz will be responsible for room division operations and will be helping to scale up the property’s offerings for guests by creating a superior experience.

Faiyaz brings with him 20 years of extensive experience in the hospitality industry and a passion for delivering the highest standards of services. He attributes his success to meaningful collaborations with his team members, and his ability to develop strong guest relationships.

Faiyaz began his hospitality career in 2000 and has worked across various verticals in the hospitality segment. His last assignment was with DoubleTree by Hilton in Varanasi as the Rooms Division Manager.

Vaibhav Sagar, General Manager, Le Meridien Hyderabad, stated, “We are thrilled to have Faiyaz join our team. With his extensive expertise in the sector, he will offer a fresh perspective to the guest experience and implement strategies that deliver service to meet and exceed the needs and expectations of our guests.

Le Meridien Hyderabad is nestled in Gachibowli, the business hub of Hyderabad and is the most preferred option to stay for business as well as leisure guests.

Amazing range of Google TVs from Acer launched in India

2nd June 2023, Bengaluru,  Indkal Technologies, today announced the launch of the new Google TVÔ lineup from Acer in India through a mega event in New Delhi where it revealed a wide product range across screen sizes, display technologies, and price segments. Among the products announced, the flagship O series with an OLED display and a 60-watt speaker system with large woofers really caught the eye. The OLEDs will be launched in two sizes, a 55-inch, and a 65-inch variant.

Among other eye-catching products, the launch also included a revolutionary affordable QLED range under the V series which will allow customers to enjoy an advanced QLED display at an affordable price which has generally remained at inaccessible price points to the masses in India. The pleasant surprise was the availability of a 32-inch entry QLED variant along with the regular 43-inch, 50-inch, and 55-inch variants.

The other products launched were the I and G series value segment products, which with the addition of some top-of-the-line features such as MEMC, Dolby Atmos and Vision, and UHD Upscaling, along with high-end brightness and contrast really compete with the premium products in other brands. However, the big highlight was the 16 GB internal memory on the 32-inch and the 40-inch variant of the I series models which is industry-leading and not yet seen in these sizes in any other brand.

Another refreshing aspect of the launch was the improved sound across all product ranges, with the I series sporting a new audio system with 30-watt speakers in 32-inch and 40-inch models; and 36-watt and 40-watt speakers in UHD models in sizes 43-inch, 50-inch, 55 inch, 65 inch, es and 75 inches.

The most significant improvement in the sound, however, was made to the flagship sound series, Acer’s popular H series range, which now has a 76-watt speaker system with improved bass and treble and a more immersive audio setup.

Google TV is also now available on the existing range of premium QLEDs, the W series, with the unique Anti-Glare Display, Wallpaper Design, Aural Sound, and Motion Sensors.

The entire new Google TV range from Acer features dual-band WiFi and 2-way Bluetooth 5.0, with HDMI 2.1 ports and USB 3.0, and Dolby Atmos as a major value addition to all UHD models across all six series. Indkal announced different timelines for the availability of the products at retail, with the I series becoming live for sale across channels on 6th June.

Creativeland Asia Network acquires 62% majority stake in London-based Creators Inc. Launches Creativeland Studios

Today, on its 16th anniversary, CLAN announced Creativeland Studio’s acquisition of London-based Creators Inc – in a total deal value exceeding UK £3 million (three million pounds) to solidify its entry into international long and short content production and the expansion of CLAN’s global footprint aligned to its vision of building a global creative super ecosystem.

Further, Creativeland Asia Network (CLAN) has launched Creativeland Studios to focus on the growth of its long and short-format cinema and tv content offering – focussing on creating, producing and distributing high-end films, documentaries, television series and audio content.

With this acquisition, Creativeland Studios has consolidated ten active slates, including two titles in production and now will have over 50 titles in its pipeline.

Creators Inc. is a unique long and short format production house with a roster of directors that includes Oscar, Emmy & BAFTA-winning directors such as Guy Ritchie, Cary Joji Fukunaga, Sarah Gavron, Philip Barantini, Colin Tilley, Mark Osborne and many others.

Creators Inc., founded and led by Jani Guest, brings together award-winning industry specialists from advertising, film and television. Creators Inc. use various synergies across these industries to position themselves worldwide at the top of the production market across all formats.

On the back of this acquisition – Creativeland Asia Network has begun its successful foray into CLA’s creative, technology, marketing & media services ecosystem to the global market.

Sajan Raj Kurup’s vision for Creativeland Studios is to provide a platform for filmmakers and creators to express their vision and bring their ideas and unique stories to viewers. The acquisition of Creators Inc is a significant step in achieving that vision. With this new global acquisition – the possibilities are endless, and CLAN is ready to take on the entertainment world.

Sajan Raj Kurup, Founder & Chairman of CLAN, said, “At Creativeland Asia – we are on a passionate journey to create a formidable creative infrastructure for the new world where media, technology, creativity and humanity will come together to curate a more entertained life. The core strategic insight for this acquisition is to build on our ability to bring brands, content and talent together – through a consolidated platform. Today, more than ever before, we recognise that content plays a pivotal role in keeping us connected, informed and entertained.”

Jani Guest, Founder & CEO of Creators Inc, said, “Creators Inc. places its incredible directorial talent at the heart of the company. The partnership with Raj and CLA allows us to accelerate the development and production of stories – created by our talent – to entertain, move, and impact positive change. I could not have wished for a better partner as we move forward to achieve our shared visions and goals.”

Flipkart’s latest Big End Of Season Sale sees participation from 10,000+ brands and 200,000+ sellers from across India

Bengaluru, 2nd June 2023 Flipkart, India’s homegrown e-commerce marketplace, has announced its much-awaited ‘Big End of Season Sale’ event, which will bring close to 200,000 sellers and more than 10,000 + brands together to bring a wide selection of fashion, beauty and lifestyle products to millions of customers across India. Beginning 1st June 2023, the week-long event will give customers a differentiated shopping experience with the introduction of technology interventions such as Image Search, Video Catalog, Virtual Try-Ons, Video Commerce and Top Filters. Moreover, Flipkart has witnessed heightened interest on its digital-first brands. Fashion continues to witness a surge online, with Flipkart clocking millions of orders in the Spring Summer season alone, indicating a growing appetite for fashion. Fashion continues to be a top growth driver for Flipkart today, with over 40% of new customers coming in through this category. To effectively serve a growing customer base across the country who eagerly await the ‘Big End of Season Sale’ to access a wide range of fashion and lifestyle products, Flipkart sellers are supported by a robust Supply Chain that delivers to all serviceable pin codes PAN India. Flipkart continues to witness strong growth from emerging metros and T3+ regions for fashion. The End of Season sale will also extend its ‘buy now, pay later’ offer for its shoppers looking for easy accessibility options.

Speaking about the event, Abhishek Maloo, Senior Director, of Flipkart Fashion said, “At Flipkart, the ‘End of Season Sale’ is truly a festival for us and is an opportunity to bring joy to stakeholders across our ecosystem. Season after season, this event has received immense appreciation from customers across India, unlocking tremendous growth for the sellers and brands on our marketplace. It is our constant endeavor to provide an expansive range of the latest fashion apparel, footwear and accessories, made accessible by a seamless technology-led shopping experience. In addition to best-in-class launches, the vernacular interface facilitates our growth, and we are seeing an uptick in time spent browsing using our vernacular interface from customers across India. We look forward to bringing lakhs of sellers, brands and customers together once again as we drive to make this season a memorable one for everyone involved.”

In line with customer demand, the event is bringing together a wide variety of styles in casual wear, ethnic wear, formal and seasonal wear. This also includes footwear, accessories, men’s and women’s apparel, and kidswear. While the event is open for all Sellers and Brands to participate, some customer favorites this season include home-grown D2C brands such as Being Human, Cultsport, Urbanic, Hershienbox and Mokobara, Fubar, AAdi, Krassa, and The Kapas; ethnic wear brands such as Libas, Biba; and activewear brands including Nike, PUMA, Adidas, HRX, Fastrack. Brands including Peter England, Blackberrys, Arrow, and Woodland will also feature in the formalwear selection and Allen Solly, Jack and Jones and Crocs will feature in the kids’ wear section.

Customers can avail of various bank offers when making their fashion purchases during the Big End of Season Sale, such as:

Flat Rs.25 on minimum purchase of Rs.250 from Paytm UPI and Flat Rs.100 on minimum order of Rs.1000.

ICICI and SBI consumers can also benefit from the 10% Instant Discount coupons with a minimum order value of Rs. 500.

Head to Flipkart to explore more such offers.