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Young Guns of Bollywood dare to bare on zoOm!
MUMBAI: Ever felt AdityaKapoor’s wit and smile was his key to success or Arjun Kapoor’s strong rugged persona makes him the star we all know him to be? Starting 21st October 2013, now get to know them a whole lot better on an exciting and sensational new show-Genext, the future of Bollywoodonly on zoOm,India’s No. 1 Bollywood Channel.
Be it the chocolate boy VarunDhawan or the snazzy but sweet Aliya Bhatt, zoOm gets these young guns of Bollywood talking. Opening up the Pandora’s Box, GenNext is all set to spice up the room with the actors talking about their personal and professional lives in a no holds barred conversation! Right from their first crush to their first dialogue, from the food they relish to the music that’s made them groove, the school scams to their crazy fans, the show is designed to enthrall every Bollywood buff!
That’s not all! The half-hour show every Monday at 8pm will also have tit-bits from the people closest to theseyoung stars. Yes, that’s right! Get to know all the gossip and mischievous stories from their family and peers as well!
The first episode of the show will feature none other than the one who took the nation by storm withPaani da raang. Set your date with the wonder boy of BollywoodAyushmanKhuranna this Monday at 8:00pm. Did you know this hunk was ridiculed by a cabbie who believed that Ayushman didn’t have what it takes to be an actor in Bollywood! We know of Guru Dakshina that is offered by a disciple to his mentor as a mark of respect. However, Ayushman is the very first disciple who got a ShishyaDakshina from his mentor John Abraham! Catch him as he reveals all this and a lot more. Hear what his friends, colleagues, brother and director ShoojitSircarhave to say about this talented actor-singer-lyrist!
Tune into to Genext, The future of Bollywoodstarting 21st October, 2013, every Monday @ 8 pm
only on zoOm – India’s No. 1 Bollywood channel.
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Induction cooktop demand spikes 30× amid LPG supply concerns
Supply worries linked to West Asia tensions push households and restaurants to turn to electric cooking alternatives
MUMBAI: As geopolitical tensions in West Asia ripple through global energy supply chains, the familiar blue flame in Indian kitchens is facing an unexpected challenger: electricity.
What began as concerns over the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has quickly evolved into a technology-driven shift in cooking habits. Households across India are increasingly turning to induction cooktops and other electric appliances, initially as a backup but now, for many, a necessity.
A sudden surge in demand
Recent data from quick-commerce and grocery platform BigBasket highlights the scale of the shift. According to Seshu Kumar Tirumala, the company’s chief buying and merchandising officer, demand for induction cooktops has risen dramatically.
“Induction cooktops have seen a significant surge in demand, recording a fivefold jump on 10 March and a thirtyfold spike on 11 March,” Tirumala said.
The increase stands out sharply when compared with broader kitchen appliance trends. Most appliance categories are growing within 10 per cent of their typical demand levels, while induction cooktops have witnessed explosive growth as households rush to secure an alternative cooking option.
Major e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart have reported rising searches and orders for induction stoves. Quick-commerce apps such as Blinkit and Zepto have also witnessed stock shortages in major metropolitan areas including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
What was once considered a convenient appliance for hostels, small kitchens or occasional use has suddenly become an essential addition in many homes.
A crisis thousands of miles away
The trigger for this shift lies far beyond India’s kitchens.
Escalating conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Nearly 85 to 90 per cent of India’s LPG imports pass through this narrow waterway, making the country particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.
The ripple effects have been swift.
India currently meets roughly 60 per cent of its LPG demand through imports, and tightening global supply has already begun to affect domestic availability and prices.
Earlier this month, the price of domestic LPG cylinders increased by Rs 60, while commercial cylinders rose by more than Rs 114.
To discourage panic buying and hoarding, the government has also extended the mandatory waiting period between domestic refill bookings from 21 days to 25 days.
Restaurants feel the pressure
The strain is not limited to households. Restaurants, hotels and roadside eateries are also grappling with supply constraints as commercial LPG availability tightens under restrictions imposed through the Essential Commodities Act.
In cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai, restaurant associations report that commercial LPG availability has dropped by as much as 75 per cent, forcing many establishments to rethink their kitchen operations.
Some restaurants have reduced menu offerings, while others are rapidly installing high-efficiency induction systems, creating hybrid kitchens where electricity now shares the workload with gas.
For smaller eateries and roadside dhabas, the shift is less about sustainability and more about survival.
A potential structural shift
The government has maintained that there is no nationwide LPG crisis and has directed refineries to increase production to stabilise supply.
Nevertheless, the developments of March 2026 may already be triggering a longer-term behavioural shift.
For decades, LPG has been the backbone of cooking in Indian households. However, recent disruptions have highlighted the risks of relying on a single fuel source.
Increasingly, households appear to be hedging against uncertainty by adopting electric cooking options to guard against price volatility and delivery delays.
If the current trend continues, the induction cooktop, once viewed as a niche appliance, could emerge as a quiet symbol of India’s evolving kitchen economy.
