Category: News Headline

Global gadgets go desi as Gripit brings top tech to Prime Day shoppers

MUMBAI: This Amazon Prime Day, the world’s coolest gadgets are getting a Gripit-powered passport to Indian homes. Gripit, the homegrown trailblazer bringing global tech to Indian doorsteps, is shaking up Amazon Prime Day with a showcase of international innovations available at home-friendly prices and with desi-style service to match.

From robotic vacuums and portable projectors to off-grid power banks and smart locks, Gripit’s curated collection reads like a wishlist for the future-forward Indian shopper. And now, for a limited time, they’re up for grabs at never-before-seen deals.

Leading the charge is the Narwal Xplus Robotic Cleaner at Rs 22,990, a sleek domestic droid designed to mop, vacuum and moonwalk its way through Indian dust. Pair that with the Yale 100NXT Smart Lock at Rs 8,999 and you’ve got a home that’s as secure as it is spotless. Fancy power on the go? The Ecoflow River 2 Power Station at Rs 19,999 is ready for your next camping trip or power cut.

Other Prime Day standouts include:

● BISSELL Little Green carpet cleaner – Rs 4,999

● CHUWI GemiBook Xpro Laptop – Rs 16,990

● LOOP Quiet 2 Earplugs – Rs 1,499

● OBSBOT Meet 2 AI Camera – Rs 12,490

But this is more than just a flash sale Gripit is redefining global-to-local shopping. With a 330 plus strong service network, free installations across metro cities, and even virtual support for remote regions, the company is setting new standards in customer experience. They’ve also promised service turnaround in under seven working days, a feat in the fragmented Indian tech retail space.

And there’s more coming soon. Gripit will soon launch a dedicated mobile app, where users can book live product demos, schedule free doorstep trials, and explore international tech innovations, all with a few taps.

“Amazon Prime Day is the perfect platform for us to connect global tech with Indian aspirations,” said Gripit co-founder & CEO Sagar Mehta. “We’re not just offering deals, we’re democratising access to world-class experiences.”

In a world where e-commerce often stops at shipping, Gripit is delivering something rare cutting-edge tech with a local soul. So if your shopping cart’s ready for a glow-up, now’s the time to Gripit and go.

(If you are an Anime fan and love Anime like Demon Slayer, Spy X Family, Hunter X Hunter, Tokyo Revengers, Dan Da Dan and Slime, Buy your favourite Anime merchandise on AnimeOriginals.com.)

July 11, 2025
Indian brands turn heads and hearts at Kantar’s ad-effectiveness awards

MUMBAI: Culture met creativity head-on, and Indian brands walked away with the spoils. Danone, Hindustan Unilever, Haleon and Godrej Consumer Products were among the big winners at Kantar India’s Creative Effectiveness Awards, which celebrated five years of ads that hit both hearts and wallets.

With more than 1,350 Indian creatives tested in 2024—out of 12,000 globally—the winners were chosen not by agency suits, but by the toughest (and truest) critics: everyday consumers. Think festival rituals, everyday mishaps, Bollywood throwbacks and even snarky political satire. The kind of stuff that makes you nod, laugh or text your mum.

HUL took home the crown across TV and digital. Meanwhile, Godrej Fab tickled funny bones with its satirical punch, Pond’s struck a Bollywood chord, and Nihar shaved off grooming clichés with flair.

To mark the fifth anniversary of the awards, Kantar unveiled a snappy new mantra—distilled from half a decade of tracking India’s most powerful campaigns. Turns out, the most effective ads haven’t lost the plot: culture still sells, and creativity still seals the deal.

The report’s insights are as spicy as a masala chai:

● Culture is comfort food: Great Indian ads are like dal—with a creative tadka. They’re emotional, familiar, and loaded with meaning.

● Tiny moments, big memories: It’s not grand gestures but the small stuff—rainy train stations, puja rituals, awkward family dinners—that truly lands.

● Multilingual magic: Language may vary, but emotion doesn’t. The most effective brands ditched the Hindi-only formula for regionally rooted storytelling.

● Execution eats strategy for breakfast: Music, humour, idioms, casting—get them right, and you’ve got a winner.

Influencer-driven content, says Kantar, isn’t just noise—it holds eyeballs 2.2 times longer than standard ads, and delivers a 58 per cent average salience score. That’s gold in today’s skip-happy world.

In India, you don’t invent culture—you tune into it, add some flavour, and serve it up with feeling. That’s how brands go from ads to icons.

(If you are an Anime fan and love Anime like Demon Slayer, Spy X Family, Hunter X Hunter, Tokyo Revengers, Dan Da Dan and Slime, Buy your favourite Anime merchandise on AnimeOriginals.com.)

July 11, 2025
Anime India, the country’s largest Japanese Anime Convention announced; brings Global Anime Icons, Behind Death Note, Attack on Titan, Black Clover and Gachiakuta to interact with fans in India

MUMBAI: Anime enthusiasts across India are in for the time of their lives this August as Anime India – the first and largest ever full-scale anime convention, a festival focusing on Japanese anime – is set to be held from 22 to 24 August at Hall 1 of Mumbai’s NESCO Bombay Exhibition Centre.

A host of immersive experiences have been planned for fans at Anime India: conversations with Japanese anime maestro directors, voice-over talents, fan panels, anime film festivals, cosplay competition, singing contests, artist alleys, an anime concert, anime quizzes, and more. Die-hard fans can also dive deep into the merchandise zone and purchase original merchandise.

Anime India is already being talked about as a landmark event amongst the community of 100 million Indian Japanese anime enthusiasts. Tetsuro Araki, the acclaimed animation director behind global phenomena such as Attack on Titan and Death Note, is flying in for his first-ever visit to India. Araki will be the key special guest at Anime India, the nation’s largest anime convention.

Anime India marks a monumental moment for the rapidly growing Indian anime community, offering an unparalleled opportunity to engage directly with one of the most influential figures in modern animation. Tetsuro Araki’s visionary work has captivated billions worldwide, with Attack on Titan receiving widespread critical acclaim and a massive global fanbase, and Death Note remaining a timeless psychological thriller.

Also in attendance will be Hideo Katsumata, the President of Avex Pictures behind top anime series like Black Clover, Gachiakuta and the 2024 Crunchyroll Anime Awards winner Look Back. At the colocated Animation & More Summit, Susume Fukunaga, Corporate Officer of The Pokémon Company will be attending as a speaker.

“We are incredibly honored to host Tetsuro Araki for his inaugural visit to India,” says Anime India organiser Neha Mehta. “His presence elevates Anime India to a global stage and underscores the immense passion for anime that exists within our country. This is a dream come true for countless fans who have been inspired by his groundbreaking work.”

“We are really excited to bring the first anime convention to India. This is something I, as an anime fan, truly wanted to see happen. We are also excited to see Katsumata-san, a global legend in the anime space speaking at the event” exclaims Mishaal Wanvari, organiser, Anime India.

Anime India will have a lot more going on, promising an immersive experience for all attendees:

● An Exclusive Panel and Q&A with Tetsuro Araki: Fans will have the chance to hear directly from the master director about his creative process, inspirations, and the intricate worlds he has brought to life.

● Meet and Greet with Voice Actors: Fans have the chance to meet freelance Japanese voice actor Tsunko, who will be traveling to perform at the event.

● Grand Anime Concert: On 24 August, the convention will host a spectacular anime concert, bringing beloved anisongs to life.

● Dynamic Cosplay Competition: Witness incredible talent as cosplayers dress up as their favorite characters, vying for top honors.

● Engaging Anime Quiz: Test your knowledge in a lively quiz challenging fans on all things anime.

● Singing Contest: The best artists from across the country assemble at Anime India to show off their singing prowess.

● Expansive Merchandising Expo Zone: Our professional expo area will feature official licensed merchandise from globally popular IPs including Demon Slayer, Attack on Titan, Spy x Family, Tokyo Revengers, and Naruto, ensuring fans can take home authentic collectibles.

● Artists Alley and Cosplayers Circuit: For the first time in India, over 24 extensively vetted independent artists and cosplay creators from the anime community will be exhibiting at the event, selling original work and explicitly permitted derivative works.

● Fandom Realm: Eight fandom communities including anime clubs, gaming communities, and other interest groups such as Vocaloid fans will be setting up experiences for fans right on the Anime India show floor.

● Fan Panels: Panels span the 3-day schedule of Anime India across our 3 stages, bringing anime fan panel culture to India on an extensive scale – having not just in-depth explorations of the media that we love but also game shows, and so much more!

● Maid Cafe: Come experience the authentic Maid Cafe experience for the first time at an event in India.

● Anime Film Festival: Exciting film and TV anime screenings, with behind-the-scenes footage, exclusively at Anime India!

Anime India aims to be the ultimate celebration of Japanese pop culture, fostering a vibrant community and providing a platform for fans to connect with their favorite series and creators.

The historic visit by Tetsuro Araki is expected to draw record attendance and further solidify India’s position on the global anime map.

Tickets for Anime India can be purchased from Zomato’s District ticketing platform and are available in four brackets: Rs. 199, Rs. 299 and Rs. 799, and Rs. 1499.

Event Details:

● Event: Anime India

● Dates: August 22nd – 24th, 2025

● Location: Mumbai, India (NESCO Bombay Exhibition Centre)

● Special Guest: Tetsuro Araki (Director of Attack on Titan, Death Note)

● Tickets: https://link.district.in/DSTRKT/AnimeIndiaPartnerAds

● Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/animeindia.live

July 11, 2025
Hero MotoCorp revs up EV ambitions with new chief

NEW DELHI: Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, has announced a significant leadership reshuffle, bringing in new talent to accelerate its push into sustainable, future-ready mobility. On 10 July 2025, the company appointed Kausalya Nandakumar as chief business officer for its emerging mobility business unit. She will report directly to Pawan Munjal, the executive chairman, and will be tasked with shaping the strategic direction and growth of Vida, Hero MotoCorp’s electric vehicle brand.

Nandakumar brings nearly two decades of leadership acumen from the automotive, electric mobility, and digital innovation sectors. Her appointment underscores Hero MotoCorp’s commitment to pioneering new technologies and growth platforms. She joins Hero MotoCorp after an illustrious 18-year tenure with the Mahindra Group, where she played a pivotal role in building and scaling new ventures.

Most recently, as chief operating officer of Mahindra Electric Automobile, she spearheaded the operational readiness and market entry strategy for the company’s electric SUV business, valued at $9.8 billion. Her extensive career also includes heading business transformation for Mahindra’s farm division and leading Glyd, Mahindra’s electric shared mobility business. Notably, she conceived and built SmartShift, one of India’s pioneering digital logistics platforms, transforming it into a multimillion-dollar enterprise.

This strategic appointment coincides with the departure of Swadesh Srivastava, who is stepping down due to health reasons. Srivastava will work closely with Nandakumar in the coming weeks to ensure a seamless handover. The company expressed its gratitude for his contributions and extended best wishes.

Nandakumar’s academic credentials include a master’s in business administration (marketing) from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, and a bachelor’s degree in electronics & instrumentation engineering from Mumbai University.

She has further refined her leadership skills through programmes at prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School.. Her background and expertise are set to reinforce Hero MotoCorp’s ambition to lead the next era of mobility, delivering innovation with impact and driving sustainable growth.

(If you are an Anime fan and love Anime like Demon Slayer, Spy X Family, Hunter X Hunter, Tokyo Revengers, Dan Da Dan and Slime, Buy your favourite Anime merchandise on AnimeOriginals.com.)

July 10, 2025
GTPL Hathway navigates challenging quarter, eyes future growth

MUMBAI: GTPL Hathway has unveiled its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended 30 June 2025, revealing a mixed bag for the entertainment and broadband major. While the company saw an uptick in its top line, profitability faced a squeeze during the period.

The consolidated revenue from operations for Q1 FY26 stood at Rs 5,946.79 million, a healthy increase from Rs 5,359.94 million reported in the same quarter last year. Total income also reflected this growth, climbing to Rs 5,990.20 million from Rs 5,432.95 million year-on-year. On a consolidated basis, total income for the quarter reached Rs 9,091 million, marking a 7 per cent rise year-on-year and a 1 per cent increase quarter-on-quarter.

However, the spotlight falls on the company’s profitability. Net profit after tax (Pat) saw a significant decline, coming in at Rs 56.25 million for Q1 FY26, a stark contrast to Rs 150.23 million in Q1 FY25. Consolidated PAT was Rs 105 million, consistent with the previous quarter but down from Rs 143 million in Q1 FY25. Consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) was recorded at Rs 1,123 million, with an EBITDA margin of 12.4 per cent. This is a decrease from Rs 1,205 million and a 14.2 per cent margin in the corresponding quarter of the prior fiscal year.

Operationally, GTPL Hathway continues to expand its reach. The cable television business maintained a strong subscriber base, with 9.60 million active set-top boxes and 8.90 million paying subscribers as of Q1 FY26. The broadband segment also showed progress, reaching 1.05 million active subscribers and a home-pass count of 5.95 million. Average data consumption per customer soared to 410 GB per month, a 17 per cent increase year-on-year, while average revenue per user (ARPU) held steady at Rs 465..

In a strategic move, the board of directors approved the re-appointment of Anirudhsinh Jadeja as managing director for a further three-year term, effective from 8 December 2025.

The company also highlighted a contingent liability related to a demand from the Department of Telecommunications (DOT) for licence fees totalling Rs 9,754.15 million. GTPL Hathway remains confident in its legal position and has not recognised any provision for this matter.

(If you are an Anime fan and love Anime like Demon Slayer, Spy X Family, Hunter X Hunter, Tokyo Revengers, Dan Da Dan and Slime, Buy your favourite Anime merchandise on AnimeOriginals.com.)

July 10, 2025
Zee shareholders reject preferential issue of fully converible warrants to promoter group

MUMBAI: Minority shareholders of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) have voted against a proposal to issue fully convertible warrants to promoter group entities on a preferential basis. The special resolution, proposed at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) held on 10 July 2025, failed to secure the necessary majority.

The EGM, chaired by R Gopalan, commenced at 11:00 a.m. IST and concluded at 12:25 p.m. IST. The company had provided both remote e-voting and e-voting facilities during the meeting for its shareholders.

According to the scrutinizer’s report, 59.5140 per cent of the total valid votes cast were in favour of the resolution, while 40.4860 per cent were against it. For a special resolution to pass, the votes cast in favour must be at least three times the votes cast against it. As this condition was not met, the resolution failed.

A company spokesperson for Zeel acknowledged the outcome, noting that 60 per cent of participating shareholders supported the resolution and expressed gratitude for their backing. The spokesperson also stated that the board and management respect the decision of the remaining shareholders and remain focused on maximising and safeguarding shareholder value.

The company highlighted its ongoing efforts to improve performance and profitability, particularly in boosting margin profile and reducing losses within the digital segment. Zeel intends to continue leveraging its cash reserves and entrepreneurial spirit to build a strong foundation, address market shifts, and outperform competition. The board’s guidance will further fortify the company against unforeseen events and drive growth and investment in technology and innovation.

The total number of shareholders on the cut-off date (3 July 2025) was 653,378. A total of nine promoter and promoter group shareholders and 114 public shareholders attended the meeting via video conferencing/other audio-visual means. The resolution involved the “issue of fully convertible warrants to the promoter group entities on preferential basis.”

July 10, 2025
Hindustan Unilever appoints Priya Nair as new CEO & MD

Mumbai: Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has announced the appointment of Priya Nair as its new chief executive officer & managing director, effective 1 August 2025. She will also join the HUL board and remain a member of the Unilever Leadership Executive.

Nair brings nearly 30 years of experience with Unilever, having held various sales and marketing roles across home care, beauty & wellbeing, and personal care. Her previous roles include executive director, home care, HUL (2014-2020), executive director, beauty & personal care, HUL (2020-2022), and global chief marketing officer, beauty & wellbeing at Unilever. Since 2023, she has served as president of beauty & wellbeing, one of Unilever’s fastest-growing divisions.. She is credited with consistently delivering business transformation through brand building, premiumisation, digital commerce, and purpose-led innovation.

Rohit Jawa will step down as CEO and MD on 31 July 2025, to pursue new personal and professional endeavours. Jawa assumed the role in 2023, and during his tenure of over two years, HUL achieved volume-led competitive growth. He also introduced the ‘aspire’ strategy, aimed at transforming the portfolio and channels towards high-growth demand spaces. HUL chairman Nitin Paranjpe thanked Jawa for his leadership in navigating challenging market conditions and strengthening the company’s foundations.

The appointment of Nair is subject to shareholder and other necessary statutory approvals. The board meeting to approve these changes commenced at 5:30 pm IST and concluded at 6:25 pm IST on Thursday, 10 July 2025.

July 10, 2025
Maran brothers’ feud ends with a Rs 800 crore handshake: media reports

MUMBAI: According to news daily Indian Express, a bitter family dispute between the Maran brothers, Kalanithi and Dayanidhi, has been resolved following the direct intervention of Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin. The settlement, which saw DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran reportedly receive around Rs 800 crore in cash and nearly an acre of prime land in Chennai’s exclusive Boat Club area valued at an estimated Rs 100 crore, brings an end to a row that had rattled investor confidence and threatened the DMK’s image.

The feud boiled over in early June when Dayanidhi issued a legal notice to his elder brother Kalanithi, alleging fraudulent share allotments and corporate misgovernance at Sun TV Network in the early 2000s. Dayanidhi had initially sought Rs 1,500 crore, while Kalanithi was only willing to offer Rs 500 crore.

Stalin, who has previously mediated within the Maran family, initially attempted to resolve the matter himself. When this failed, he enlisted the help of Dravidar Kazhagam president K Veeramani and senior journalist N Ram, both of whom have close ties to the family. Sources indicate that three rounds of talks, including two in person and one via video conference, ultimately led to the agreement.

Dayanidhi’s legal notice specifically claimed that in 2003, while their father Murasoli Maran was in a coma, Kalanithi allegedly allotted himself 1.2 million equity shares at a nominal Rs 10 per share, consolidating over 60 per cent of Sun TV. This, the notice alleged, diluted the stakes of the Maran and M Karunanidhi families from 50 per cent each to 20 per cent.

Sun TV, in a stock exchange filing on June 20, vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “incorrect, misleading, speculative, defamatory and not supported by facts or law,” and stated that all transactions were legally vetted prior to the company’s public listing.

Despite Sun TV’s rebuttal, the controversy sent tremors through the markets, causing its share price to drop over 5 per cent in intra-day trading, and an overall decline of about 8 per cent from recent highs, unsettling investors.

A top source within the DMK first family confirmed that Stalin was visibly displeased by the public nature of the dispute, especially with assembly elections looming next year. His decision to bring in the 91-year-old Veeramani, an elder statesman of Tamil Nadu politics, was due to his respected stature and lack of financial interest in Sun TV.

N Ram, a relative of the Maran family and former editor of The Hindu, also played a crucial role, lending credibility and balance to the mediation given his standing in the media world and ideological alignment with the DMK.

“First, Veeramani phoned the Maran family. After that the others also joined, and three rounds of talks were held between the last week of June and the first week of July,” a source revealed, adding, “Both parties were asked to refrain from speaking to the media and were urged to settle and move on.”

The talks underscored the potential damage to the DMK’s and Maran family’s reputation, as well as the high costs and protracted nature of continued litigation.

The late Murasoli Maran, a nephew of Karunanidhi and cousin to Stalin, was instrumental in establishing the DMK’s presence in Delhi and served as a cabinet minister in multiple central governments. His presence as family patriarch had previously maintained peace between Kalanithi, who built the Sun TV empire, and Dayanidhi, who leveraged his father’s legacy to become the union minister for telecom.

The first major rift, the Indian Express reported, occurred in 2007 when the Maran family’s newspaper, Dinakaran, published a poll favouring Stalin as Karunanidhi’s political heir over M Alagiri, leading to violent reactions from Alagiri’s supporters. While tensions have simmered since, the financial dimension of this latest dispute made it one of the most severe.

“This whole thing could have gone the other way,” a senior source commented. “But Stalin, Veeramani, and Ram made it clear: let this end now, before it weakens everyone.”

Indian Express failed to get any comments from N. Ram, the Marans or the chief minister.

July 10, 2025
Applause Entertainment hits a hat-trick with streaming blockbusters in 2025

MUMBAI: It’s applause all the way for Applause Entertainment, the Aditya Birla Group-backed content powerhouse, as it scores three back-to-back streaming hits in the first half of the year. With Black Warrant on Netflix, Criminal Justice: A Family Matter on JioHotstar, and The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case on Sony LIV, the studio has cemented its grip on India’s OTT throne.

Each show didn’t just top viewing charts, they trended, triggered conversations, and won over both audiences and critics alike.

As the studio preps to blow out eight candles this August, its track record is already worthy of a standing ovation. With 55+ titles under its belt, spanning scam sagas (Scam 1992), courtroom thrillers (Criminal Justice), political dramas (Tanaav), and now real-crime docuseries (Black Warrant) Applause is proving to be more than just prolific. It’s relentlessly fearless.

And the curtain isn’t falling anytime soon. Applause’s future slate includes fresh seasons, original films, documentaries, and the much-anticipated Hansal Mehta-directed Gandhi series. All signs point to a studio scripting a legacy with ambition, artistic risk, and audience obsession at its core.

Reflecting on the studio’s recent successes, Applause Entertainment managing director, Sameer Nair. “At Applause, our job is to keep telling stories – ambitious, audacious, disruptive, and rooted in their imagined reality. The medium may change but strong storytelling always finds its way to audiences. Black Warrant with Vikramaditya Motwane, Criminal Justice with Rohan Sippy, and The Hunt with Nagesh Kukunoor, each tackle very different worlds, yet they’ve all struck a chord. That’s the thrill of this game; not just chasing hits but working with diverse creators to build a body of work that entertains audiences and creates memories. For us, it’s about staying curious, taking creative risks, and constantly raising the bar.”

In a content landscape crowded with noise, Applause isn’t just creating content, it’s creating conversation. And in 2025, it’s clearly got everyone talking.

July 10, 2025
Flipkart trolls Amazon with bleat-worthy twist ahead of G.O.A.T sale

MUMBAI: Flipkart just proved once again that it doesn’t just do deals — it does drama. Ahead of its G.O.A.T (Greatest of All Time) Sale going live on 12 July, the e-commerce giant dropped a savage social media post that’s sent the internet into a tizzy and had rival Amazon fans doing a double take.

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A post shared by Flipkart (@flipkart)

The post kicked off with a bold bait: “People from Amazon caught shopping on Flipkart.” Cue chaos. But as users swiped, the truth and the troll was revealed: it was just a picture of a goat lounging outside a building named Amazon Park Apartments.

Yes, the G.O.A.T is back, and it’s sassier than ever.

In typical Flipkart fashion, the post combined wordplay, wit, and a little animal mischief to stir up buzz, turning a literal location into a headline-worthy punchline. The smug goat, now a recurring campaign mascot, delivered the ultimate side-eye to everyone who fell for the clickbait.

The post quickly went viral, racking up laughs and likes and once again proving Flipkart’s mastery at marketing mischief.

With the G.O.A.T Sale promising blockbuster discounts across electronics, appliances, fashion, and more, Flipkart is clearly not just aiming for best deals, it’s gunning for the crown in brand banter supremacy. Game, set, and goat.

July 10, 2025