Brands
Burger King India joins the Loveyapa lovefest with exclusive combo & contest
MUMBAI: Romantic comedies and fast food—what could be a more perfect pairing?
Burger King India has teamed up with Phantom Films for the much-awaited Gen Z rom-com Loveyapa. Starring debutants Khushi Kapoor and Junaid Khan, this fresh take on modern relationships hits theatres on 7 February 2025. With a blend of quirky humour and painfully relatable breakups, this movie promises a ride as satisfying as a Whopper.
In true Burger King style, the brand has rolled out a special menu item to celebrate the film: the “Loveyapa Combo”. This indulgent set features a Whopper Jr. with cheese, saucy fries, and a chocolate thickshake. Whether you’re sharing it with bae or devouring it solo while scrolling memes, this combo is here to soothe your soul (and stomach).
Available both online and at all Burger King outlets nationwide, the combo reflects the playful chemistry of Khushi Kapoor and Junaid Khan. But is it better than your last date? That’s for you to decide.
What’s a Gen Z campaign without a meme fest? Burger King’s Loveyapa UGC Contest invites fans to create their own memes using screenshots from the film’s trailer. With exciting prizes up for grabs, it’s a perfect way to channel your inner content creator while hyping the movie’s release. Can you make the internet LOL? The challenge is on.
Burger King India chief marketing & digital officer Kapil Grover said, “Burger King has always been about meaningful connections with our Gen Z guests. Loveyapa’s script and cast perfectly fit into our brand world. With Junaid Khan’s much-anticipated debut and Khushi Kapoor’s charm, this movie promises to strike a chord with India’s youth, and we’re thrilled to be part of its journey.”
Phantom Studios CEO, Srishti Behl shared her excitement about the partnership, “The movie, with its fresh take on love and relationships, aligns perfectly with the dynamic and youthful energy of Burger King. The ‘Loveyapa Combo’ captures the playful spirit of the film, resonating with today’s Gen Z. It’s exciting to see this partnership come to life, reaching young audiences through a brand that truly speaks to them.”
Directed by Advait Chandan and produced by Phantom Studios and AGS Entertainment, Loveyapa isn’t just about the leading pair. With Ashutosh Rana, Kiku Sharda, and a talented ensemble cast, the film dives deep into the bittersweet truths of love, heartbreak, and everything in between.
Burger King’s cheeky, bold persona is a perfect match for Loveyapa’s modern take on romance. It’s a love story told through crispy fries, melty cheese, and of course, a side of laughs. The combo and contest are sure to make waves, drawing both foodies and movie buffs alike.
Grab your ‘Loveyapa Combo’ and tell us: does food really taste better when paired with rom-coms? Only one way to find out!
Brands
Abhinav Rastogi named global marketing director for YouTube Shopping
Google veteran to scale creator commerce and expand shopping across global markets
SINGAPORE: Abhinav Rastogi has stepped into a new role as global marketing director for YouTube Shopping, marking the latest chapter in a more than decade-long career at Google.
Rastogi, who took on the position in February and is based in Singapore, will lead global marketing for YouTube Shopping, a platform designed to connect creators, viewers and merchants in a single ecosystem. His remit includes expanding the service into new markets and strengthening its positioning as a growth channel for both creators and brands.
In a reflective note on the transition, Rastogi pointed to a simple but powerful idea driving the role. For years, creators have quietly built trust with audiences through consistent and authentic content, and that trust often shapes purchasing decisions. What is changing now, he said, is the infrastructure around that behaviour. YouTube Shopping aims to make it easier for viewers to discover and buy products recommended by creators they already follow.
The scale is already significant. More than half a million creators have joined the programme, with recent expansion into Japan through a partnership with Rakuten signalling further global ambitions.
Rastogi believes the future of shopping on YouTube will be driven by a blend of creators, content and communities. In his view, it is the human voice behind the screen, not just the product, that ultimately builds trust and drives discovery.
Prior to this role, he served as director of marketing, YouTube Asia Pacific, where he led regional marketing across creator engagement, brand building and reputation. During that time, he played a key role in launching and scaling YouTube Shopping across eight markets in the region.
Earlier stints at Google include group product marketing manager, consumer apps, overseeing growth for products such as Search, Maps and Assistant across India and Southeast Asia, and product marketing manager roles spanning consumer apps and YouTube, where he contributed to launches including YouTube Music, YouTube Originals and YouTube Shorts.
Rastogi began his career in consulting with Boston Consulting Group and A.T. Kearney, before moving into the technology sector. He is an alumnus of Indian Institute of Management Calcutta and Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur.
Alongside his corporate role, he is also an active angel investor, backing early-stage startups in consumer technology and electric mobility across India and Southeast Asia.
As he settles into the new role, Rastogi is betting on a future where every video can double up as a storefront, and where commerce feels less like a transaction and more like a recommendation from a trusted voice.
