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Tag: Gaurav Pandey

  • Order in the court Kajol returns with fiercer fight in The Trial Season 2

    Order in the court Kajol returns with fiercer fight in The Trial Season 2

    MUMBAI: Justice may be blind, but this courtroom is about to see fireworks. The much-awaited trailer of The Trial: Pyaar, Kaanoon, Dhokha Season 2 has dropped, and Kajol’s return as Noyonika Sengupta promises a performance that is more fiery, vulnerable, and emotionally charged than ever before.

    Directed by Umesh Bist and produced by Banijay Asia, the new chapter premieres 19 September 2025 on JioHotstar. It picks up after Season 1, where Noyonika, once a timid housewife, re-entered law following her husband’s corruption scandal. Now she stands transformed into a razor-sharp lawyer and resolute mother yet Season 2 unravels her world piece by piece.

    Her husband Rajiv’s political ambitions (played by Jisshu Sengupta) threaten to tear the family apart, the law firm she depends on is riddled with rivalries, and a tangled love triangle clouds her judgement. In the dock is Noyonika herself torn between duty and desire, trust and truth.

    The series boasts a formidable cast, including Sonali Kulkarni, Sheeba Chaddha, Alyy Khan, Kubbra Sait, Gaurav Pandey, and Karanvir Sharma. Kajol teased, “This season is darker, deeper, and more personal. Noyonika isn’t just fighting in court, she’s fighting to keep her world from collapsing.”

    Bist revealed that Season 2 deliberately raises the stakes, balancing the intensity of legal duels with Noyonika’s internal unraveling. “It’s a layered story about power, identity, and the personal cost of standing up for oneself especially as a woman,” he said.

    Backing the show’s cinematic ambition, Alok Jain of JioStar positioned it as part of a bold content universe that challenges ideas of choice and identity, while Sushant Sreeram highlighted how international adaptations like The Trial (based on CBS Studios’ The Good Wife) are reimagined for Indian audiences. Banijay Asia CEO Deepak Dhar promised “a gripping ride with higher stakes, more intense emotions, and powerful performances.”

    Jisshu Sengupta added that Rajiv’s arc would shake viewers: “His ambitions have grown, but so has the cost. It’s love, regret, resentment and redemption colliding at once.”

    The original U.S. series The Good Wife, created by Robert and Michelle King, set the global bar for courtroom drama. Now, its Indian counterpart seems poised to go beyond the gavel blending betrayal, ambition, and raw humanity into a season that could very well be Kajol’s fiercest role yet.

    Order in the court: judgment day arrives 19 September.

  • Indian commercial office market hits record high, signals major shift in 2025

    Indian commercial office market hits record high, signals major shift in 2025

    MUMBAI: India’s commercial office market has reached new heights, with leasing volumes hitting a record 66.4 million square feet in 2024, a 14 per cent  year-on-year growth, according to the Ficci-Colliers report: India Office | Setting New Standards for 2025. The market is projected to grow further to 65-70 million square feet in 2025, marking a significant transition from a supply-led to an occupier-driven landscape.

    Bengaluru led the charge with its highest-ever absorption of 21.7 million square feet, while Hyderabad recorded the strongest growth at 55 per cent. The dominance of the technology sector has declined from 40-50 per cent  to 25 per cent , with engineering, manufacturing, financial services, and flexible workspaces now accounting for more than half of Grade A office demand.

    Global capability centres (GCCs) have emerged as a key driver, leasing 25.7 million square feet in 2024, a 41 per cent   increase year-on-year. Bengaluru captured 47 per cent   of GCC leasing, while Mumbai saw a fourfold rise in uptake.

    “Office leasing is expected to grow another 8-10 per cent   in FY26, fuelled by demand from GCCs and the financial services sector,” said Ficci committee on urban development and real estate chairman & RMZ chairman Raj Menda. 

    Sustainability is also shaping occupier preferences, with over 70 per cent of leasing now in green-certified buildings, a figure expected to rise to 80-85 per cent by 2025. Menda added: “Nearly 80 per cent   of new supply over the next two to three years will be green certified. By embracing sustainability and innovation, we can contribute to economic growth, enhance well-being, and leave a lasting impact on the environment.”

    The real estate investment trust (Reit) landscape is expanding, with 80 million square feet currently under Reits and an additional 400 million square feet identified as potential Reit stock. The listing of India’s first small and medium Reit (SM-Reit) in 2024 has opened new avenues for retail investors.

    Looking ahead, new office supply is expected to reach 60-65 million square feet in 2025, with vacancy levels projected to decline to 15-16 per cent. Average rental values are forecast to touch Rs  100-110 per square foot per month.

    Ficci committee co-chairman and managing director and CEO Godrej Properties  Gaurav Pandey highlighted the residential sector’s milestone in 2024, with demand hitting 1 billion square feet, valued at Rs  8.5 lakh crore, primarily concentrated in India’s top five cities.

    “The sector needs execution build-up and brilliant talent across both white-collar and blue-collar jobs,” Pandey added, stressing the importance of labour strategy and talent management for sustained growth.

    On the investment front, institutional inflows reached USD 4.7 billion in the first nine months of 2024, with over 60 per cent directed towards industrial, warehousing, and residential assets. The government’s Rs  1 lakh crore urban challenge fund aims to transform cities into growth hubs and improve infrastructure.

    However, affordability concerns persist in the residential segment said Ficci committee co-chairman and managing director and CEO HDFC Capital Advisors Vipul Roongta: “With the average unit price at Rs  1 crore in major cities, home ownership remains out of reach for the emerging middle class, who can typically afford homes in the Rs  50-75 lakh range.”

    Meanwhile, DLF vice chairman and managing director, rental business, Sriram Khattar, noted a shift in commercial real estate priorities: “Gone are the days when offices were built at 70-80 square feet per desk and simply filled up. The emphasis now is on quality workspaces that enhance occupier and employee experience.”

    Looking ahead, Colliers India managing director office services  Arpit Mehrotra stated: “The occupier-driven Indian office market will continue to diversify in 2025, and developers will need to remain agile to meet evolving preferences.”

  • ‘Tumse Na Ho Payega’ to premiere on 29 Sep on Disney+ Hotstar

    ‘Tumse Na Ho Payega’ to premiere on 29 Sep on Disney+ Hotstar

    Mumbai: We all have had that one judgemental person in our lives who has constantly doubted our efforts and made us wonder – ke log kya kahenge? “Tumse Na Ho Payega”, Disney+ Hotstar’s upcoming film is a fun light-hearted take on the modern-day challenges faced by today’s youth, and their dilemma in standing up to these ‘rules’ laid by the society we live in, to instead follow their own path and dreams will release on 29 September exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar.

    “Tumse Na Ho Payega” is a fresh and satirical approach to convey to the youth of India – “Find the courage to follow your heart and define your own success” and bringing this story to life is the talented ensemble cast of Ishwak Singh, Mahima Makwana, Gaurav Pandey, Amala Akkineni, Gurpreet Saini, Parmeet Sethi and Meghna Malik.

    Producer and writer Nitesh Tiwari, said, “Tumse Na Ho Payega was written with the intention to bring the story of every youngster in a middle-class household to screen. Whether it is the grind of a corporate job or chasing your childhood love or your lifelong dream of starting something of your own, “Tumse Na Ho Payega” is that relatable story! We are all so excited to share this journey with viewers across the world on Disney+ Hotstar and hope it inspires and entertains our audience at the same time.”

    “In a society where we are made to believe that the lines on the palm of your hand dictate your future, “Tumse Na Ho Payega” is a sincere attempt to convey that only you can define your success. Sometimes that could mean defying the rules set by society, ignoring those who don’t believe in you and listening to that inner voice that says, “Go for it!”, to chase that dream with all you’ve got. It’s what fueled our own pursuit in telling this story albeit with a little humour. We can’t wait for you to experience this film which at some point will relate with your own personal growth journey.” said director Abhishek Sinha.

    Standing up to society’s ‘log kya kahenge’ attitude are a group of young friends in the movie led by two talented actors Ishwak Singh and Gaurav Pandey.

    “Tumse Na Ho Payega is a story that I relate to a lot, I feel like it’s my story and I’m sure whoever watches it would feel the same. It’s a light-hearted fun film with dollops of humor and a very strong theme that remains at the heart of it all: to follow one’s dreams and not succumb to societal pressure. I think there comes a time in our lives where we feel that what we’re doing is not our true calling, but we ended up doing it because someone else decided what’s best for us. But then there’s a moment when you tell yourself that I need to get out of this rut and do what I believe in and more importantly what makes you happy. It’s the most difficult thing to come out and say I want to quit my job and pursue my passion. With nobody by your side, you’re wondering where to go and what to do. That’s the long road that my character Gaurav takes and in that journey which is nothing short of a wacky roller coaster ride, finds himself, his true calling and all that matters to him,” said actor Ishwak Singh.

    Actor Gaurav Pandey said, “One of the reasons I fell in love with the story is its relatability factor. It’s a fresh and fun take on how to have faith in yourself and stand up to anyone who says “Tumse Na Ho Payega”. Also, it’s a story about igniting passion and connecting with what you believe in. To put in the effort and never be demotivated with the challenges you face in life.”

    Get ready to feel a rollercoaster of emotions as Gaurav breaks free from the pressures of society and inspires you too, with “Tumse Na Ho Payega” streaming on Disney+ Hotstar, 29 September onwards!

  • Voot to launch ‘Fuh se Fantasy’ produced by Bodhitree

    Voot to launch ‘Fuh se Fantasy’ produced by Bodhitree

    MUMBAI: Voot is all set to come up with a new original series, Fuh se Fantasy, produced by Bodhitree production house and the show will start streaming from 5 April 2019.

    Fuh se Fantasy is a series about the delight in modern relationships that dare to explore their deepest, quirkiest and most exciting desires. In a world where we are opening our minds and laws up to every kind of relationship, why think twice before we go after what our heart is truly attracted towards? 

    Voot head content Monika Shergill said, “As a platform, we have sharply catered our original content to the millennial audience that is keen to understand the complex definitions around love , relationships and desire in today’s world. Fuh se Fantasy is a delightful look at people in love taking their fantasies head on. The anthology series makes a progressive, edgy and fun statement and will surely entertain with its quirky,  brave and  immersive stories.”

    A charming showcase of couples exploring their fun fantasies, the show, starring popular faces such as Karan Wahi, Plabita Borthakur, Naveen Kasturia, Anshuman Malhotra, Gaurav Pandey and Anupriya Goenka, is a 10 episodic series.

  • Havas Media appoints Gaurav Pandey as group director – technology

    Havas Media appoints Gaurav Pandey as group director – technology

    MUMBAI: Havas Media India has appointed Gaurav Pandey as group director – technology. He will be responsible for the company’s technology direction with focus on quality and efficiency across mobile, web and social media applications. 

     

    He will report to Havas Media India digital head Ranjoy Dey.

     

    Pandey will work closely with Mobext, India senior manager Soumitro Ganguly.

     

    Mobext is the mobile marketing arm from Havas Media Group. With India fast becoming a mobile first market, Mobext is adept at delivering marketing, technology and services, across mobile environments. Launched in 2007, Mobext was one of the first agencies to offer specialised end-to-end mobile marketing services within the global arena.

     

    Havas Media Group India CEO Anita Nayyar said, “Havas Media is gearing towards delivering the best in class marketing technology and mobile solutions to clients and brands. Gaurav with his tech-expertise will ensure great quality solutions in this domain along with Soumitro. Gaurav has the requisite experience and is an innovator. His mandate is to identify, exploit and integrate technology driven solutions and leverage our existing technology infrastructure and mobile strength across the Havas Media business units in India.”

     

    Dey added, “At Havas Media we consistently strive to execute digital media the way the consumer sees it, to deliver the most memorable experience. Gaurav has the knack of mentally approaching solutions from a brand perspective to connect with the consumer, where media and technology are an integral part of each other. His deep knowledge of both will go a long way in an environment when the businesses are becoming either Mobile Only, Mobile First, or Have to Be on Mobile.”

  • ‘Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania’…Join the party

    ‘Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania’…Join the party

    MUMBAI: The title may sound confusing. Who is this Humpty Sharma? He is no legendary lover on whom tomes may have been written. It does not give away much except that the story/ scenario would obviously be set against the background of a Delhi Punjabi family. And perhaps that is something about the Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge to it? Why not. After all, Dil Wale Dulhania… was an all-time hit, so what’s wrong with borrowing a bit from there?

    Varun Dhawan shyly confesses that he was a very fat child and that is how he was nicknamed Humpty. Not bad considering he could have been nicknamed Sweety or Dimppy, which could be gender defying. Varun heads a gang of three including himself in a Delhi college. The other two are Gaurav Pandey and Sahil Vaid. As in all filmy colleges, you only have a campus with a loosely hung signboard declaring that the premises is a college. He is popular with girls around for no apparent reason except that he is the hero of the story. Despite being in Delhi, for a change, he is not the son of a halwai but, as he says, the only ‘waris of the famous Vidhya Book Store’ which caters to college students’ requirements.

    For a change, Varun does not find his lady love from a college coed. She is an Ambala girl, Alia Bhatt, who is in Delhi to attend her friend’s wedding. Actually, no Punjabi love story can be told without involving a wedding. There she meets Varun who wants to date her, which she does not mind until she gets married to an NRI a few week hence. A little net practice never hurt anybody.

    This is the first man Alia has ever been exposed to. All her life she has been brought up to believe in following the family tradition: marry the guy dad chooses. Dad, Ashutosh Rana, himself has had a love marriage but since then, he has had a reason not to trust such a liaison. But apart from that, Rana is okay with giving his daughter all the freedom she wants. So she takes off for Delhi to spend time with her friend, Guncha Narula, who is due to marry soon as well as to buy a Rs 5 lakh wedding dress for herself—because Guncha has bought one worth Rs 2.5 lakh!

    Producers: Hiroo Johar, Karan Johar.

    Director: Shashank Khaitan.

    Cast: Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Ashutosh Rana, Siddharth Shukla, Kenneth Desai, Gaurav Pandey, Sahil Vaid, Mahnaz Damania, Deepika Amin, Guncha Narula, Jaswant Daman.

    Varun, quite popular in college, sees this new girl in town and as is wont of any Delhi boy, piles on. Alia is the kind who can take a Delhi boy in her stride but quite enjoys Varun’s company. Varun, on his part, has fallen head over heels. The happy days are over and Alia has to return to Ambala as her NRI fiancé is due to arrive. That is when Alia also owns up to her deep love for Varun.

    Back in Ambala, Alia has only one option and that is to forget Varun and get ready for her marriage with this NRI doctor, Siddharth Shukla. Varun chases Alia to Ambala only to be beaten black and blue by her brother and his goons. Varun is unrelenting. Shukla is arriving and Rana decides to offer Varun a chance so as to avoid any tamasha during the wedding. It is five days till wedding, Varun’s job is to hang around Shukla and find some fault in him for Rana to call off Alia’s wedding with him. But, one look at the fiancé and Varun loses all hope. He is a perfect stud with no blemish at all. Since Gaurav and Sahil are also with Varun, the fun and repartees continue. 

    Despite the latter half of the film revisiting Yashraj Films’ all-time hit, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, it is all well done. The film’s writer/director deserve all the credit for coming up with a very plausible take on Dilwale…., with a taut script peppered with witty exchanges between characters. There are some loose ends like disappearance of Shukla from the scene suddenly! The film also has the advantage of some peppy numbers in ‘Saturday Saturday’…., ‘Lucky tu lucky me’…. and a melody in ‘Samjhawan’…albeit all with heavy Punjabi flavour.

    Varun along with Gaurav and Sahil make sure one stays entertained. Alia does well, not going overboard in dramatic scenes. Rana is good while Shukla makes an impact despite a brief role. The supporting cast is adequate.

    Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania is a joyride for youth and an entertainer that also caters to other age groups. While its business may be affected to a degree due to Ramzan month, it is generally a moneymaker.