MAM
9XM ties-up with Tantra to launch branded merchandise
MUMBAI: Bollywood Music Channel 9XM has entered into a strategic alliance with Tantra to launch a special range of t-shirts.
The t-shirts will feature 9XM‘s animated characters – Bade and Chote of Bakwaas Band Kar fame. They will have messages and themes which reflect the personality of the characters.
9XM head – programming Amar Tidke said, “The Bakwaas Bandh Kar Tees designed by Tantra with their funny and cool one-liners reflect the ‘no-nonsense‘ attitude of today‘s youth. Bade-Chote‘s famous wacky humor will definitely make these Tees fun to wear!”
Tantra has designed six different variants of this theme featuring Bade Chote.
Tantra owner Ranjiv Ramchandani added, “This is an interesting partnership, and pretty unusual too. It is a link between the humor and nuttiness of the channel‘s most recognised faces and the creativity of a T-shirt partner.”
9XM-tees are available in unisex range in different colours at select Tantra outlets across India from Rs 499/- onwards.
Brands
International Women’s Day ’26: Peace, freedom and self-expression drive Gen Z women, Newme survey finds
Solo travel and self-expression are rising among young women in India
INDIA: Ahead of International Women’s Day, fast-growing fashion brand Newme released a nationwide survey revealing how gen z women across India are redefining ambition, independence and happiness.
Titled The Confidence Edit, the study draws on responses from more than 1,000 young women and paints a portrait of a generation quietly reshaping traditional expectations, choosing balance over burnout, independence over approval and self-expression over conformity.
“One clear takeaway is that this generation is ambitious but also deeply self-aware,” said Newme co-founder Vinod Naik. “Women today are not simply following old definitions of success, they are rewriting them in ways that feel more personal and authentic.”
Peace over perfection
One of the survey’s most striking insights is a shift in how success is defined. Nearly one in four respondents said they prioritise peace over perfection, suggesting a move away from hustle-driven notions of achievement. For many young women, success now means building a life that feels balanced, sustainable and self-directed rather than constantly chasing milestones.
Independence beyond money
Independence remains central to gen z aspirations, but respondents increasingly view it as multidimensional. Around 86 per cent said they want to be both financially and emotionally independent, signalling a generation unwilling to trade personal freedom for stability or the other way around.
Decision-making is also becoming more individual. While many respondents said they consult family members on major life choices, fewer than one in five said their family alone has the final say.
Solo travel gains ground
Mobility and personal freedom are also becoming more mainstream. More than 70 per cent of respondents said they are comfortable travelling solo, either spontaneously or with advance planning.
Safety remains the biggest concern, ranking ahead of budget or family reactions. Yet the findings suggest that solo travel is increasingly seen not as a bold act but as a practical extension of independence.
Fashion as self-expression
The survey also highlights a changing relationship between confidence and personal style. Nearly 70 per cent said they would dress the same even if nobody could see them, indicating that fashion is becoming less about external approval and more about self-expression.
At the same time, almost 90 per cent said they feel comfortable expressing themselves publicly, through clothing, opinions or lifestyle choices, pointing to a generation that is confident about how it presents itself to the world.
Confidence grows, pressure remains
Despite rising confidence levels, emotional pressures persist. Nearly 40 per cent of respondents said they feel guilty about not meeting expectations, by far the most common source of guilt.
Many also cited difficulties such as asking for what they want, saying no, or dealing with being misunderstood, highlighting the complex emotional negotiations that often accompany independence.
Finding joy in everyday moments
When it comes to happiness, the survey suggests that everyday pleasures matter more than big milestones. About 43.3 per cent of respondents said simple acts such as treating themselves bring the most joy, followed by learning something new at work and spending time with friends.
Founded in 2022, Newme targets more than 500 million gen z consumers across India and Southeast Asia, positioning itself as a technology-driven fashion brand built around self-expression and rapidly changing youth trends.
