MAM
Star’s Aamir Khan debut TV show to ride on big money
MUMBAI: Star Network has roped in two main and six associate sponsors for the Aamir Khan-hosted and produced show Satyamev Jayate that launches on 6 May.
Airtel is the presenting sponsor for the show while it is powered by Aquaguard. The associate sponsors are Coca-Cola, Berger Paints, Skoda, Johnson & Johnson, Dixcy Scott and Axis Bank. The company is looking forward to add two more associate sponsors but the deal is in the final stages of negotiation.
Confirming the same, Star India president-ad sales Kevin Vaz said, “We have got eight sponsors already. We are giving our sponsors 100 per cent exclusivity i.e we will not sell spots to any competitor brand on the show. We will be finalising on the remaining two associate sponsors by Friday.”
Associate sponsors have paid Rs 60-70 million while the title sponsors have invested Rs 160-200 million, according to market estimates.
“We are announcing two more associate sponsors soon,” Vaz said, while refusing to divulge any financials.
Satyamev Jayate will be a 13-episodic series with every episode spanning 90 minutes. Vaz said that after spots taken by the title and associate sponsors, every episode will be left with only 30 seconds of free commercial time which the channel plans to sell at a premium of Rs 1 million per 10 second.
“In today’s cluttered market, the kind of reach we are providing will make it a lucrative option for advertisers to be a part of the show,” Vaz said.
Eureka Forbes CEO direct sales and SVP- marketing Marzin R Shroff said, “This is Aamir Khan’s first TV production and it made sense for our Aquaguard brand to be associated with it. The show talks about how Indians can be proud of themselves in battling situations. It is a blind fit for us because even we promote happy, healthy, safe environment. Everything that we do is in line with the show.”
OMD India COO Harish Shriyan said, “The show is based on issues pertaining to almost all of us. I feel the show will provide us a good reach as it will be simulcast in at least seven languages. With this kind of show being backed by Aamir Khan it should be successful.”
The show is based on social issues and will be simulcast on Star Plus (Hindi), Star World (English), Star Jalsha (Bengali), Star Pravah (Marathi), Star Vijay (Tamil), Star Utsav (Hindi), Asianet (Malayalam) and Suvarna (Kannada). The channel will also provide the feed in Telugu but the network does not have a Telugu channel.
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.
