MAM
Bang Bang Films directors Nic & Sune direct Ranbir in Axe‘s new commercial
MUMBAI: Axe Click‘s new commercial starring leading Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor has rolled out.
The ad has been conceptualised by BBH Singapore, produced by Bang Bang Films and directed by Nic and Sune.
BBH Singapore regional business development director – Asia Ara Hampartsoumian said, “It‘s never an easy task when an advertising agency is asked to not only replicate but actually improve on what was previously a globally successful ad, but the four key elements of client, agency, production and celebrity all aligned on this one and we delivered. BBH had a wonderful experience shooting another great spot for Unilever‘s Axe brand in Bombay. Our star Ranbir Kapoor was truly a pleasure to work with and Bang Bang Films helped hold it all together. Really fun, wouldn‘t have changed a thing.”
Earlier, Nic and Sune and Bang Bang have worked with Ranbir together a couple of years ago in Pepsi‘s “Youngistaan ka Wow.”
Bang Bang Films founder and MD Roopak Saluja said, “Having delivered a super-hit Ranbir spot with Nic and Sune in the past, they were an obvious choice for Axe. Not too long ago, Axe was a brand using global creative on Indian TV. To have the opportunity to produce an Indian spot with the same aspirational production values is a real pleasure for us at Bang Bang.”
Talking about the commercial, director Sune Maroni said, “Being asked to shoot an Axe commercial is an honour for any commercials director. Their spots offer cheeky humour combined with sophisticated visuals and have managed to capture a space in the collective consciousness of young people all across the world.
We‘ve been lucky enough to shoot with Ranbir Kapoor before, and it is always a pleasure to work with such talent, but for this film we had more time to have fun. The script allowed for some improvisation on his part and he never fell short when challenged to add the RK-touch. We don‘t think it was too difficult for Ranbir to imagine himself in a situation where he is being flirted with by a great number of drop-dead-gorgeous women. His life is pretty much like that of Vince in the celebrated TV-series “Entourage”. Maybe that could be his next project, an adaption of “Entourage” for India. We would love to direct that.”
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
