MAM
Hungama helps Nokia start its Club Nokia in India
MUMBAI: Marketers are using the ‘Madison meets Vine’ mantra with increasing regularity! Hungama.com has just clinched a deal with Nokia for powering Bollywood content on Nokia handsets. Through this arrangement, Nokia will launch its Club Nokia in India – an online club that exists in 22 countries and offers members access to entertainment, latest convergence tools, offline local Nokia events, contests and information on Nokia products. In India, Nokia will offer this as part of their own short code 555.
While speaking to indiantelevision.com, Hungama CEO Neeraj Roy says: “The Nokia deal will set the tone for the future. We are currently offering media business services to over five million surfers and registered members. Broadly speaking, nearly 300 brands across 18 industry categories are using our sites for ‘digital experiential marketing’ services.” In addition, Roy also offers online/offline events, entertainment marketing and gaming.
Through the popular websites – namely Hungama and the Bollywood site India FM, Roy and his team also offer several services to marketers and ad agencies. The list includes official movie website design; movie marketing; corporate associations; In-film placements; Internet promotions; ground promotions and road shows; multimedia CD Roms; publicity designs and creatives; media buying; game development; movie titling; animation; commercials and promos; mobile marketing; merchandise; distribution; Bollywood auctions amongst others.
Roy claims that he is working closely with Yashraj Films, Varma Corporation, Ramesh Sippy and Rajshri Films amongst other big banners.
“Internationally compiled research says 68 per cent of people don’t watch movies unless they have seen the trailors; 85 per cent of people watch film promos and trailors online. In fact, for Rajshri productions, we came up with India’s first film gaming CD for the Hrithik-Kareena-Abhishek starrerMain Prem Ki Deewani Hoon,” adds Roy.
Roy claims to be a pioneer in film placement and has done a deal with Western Union Money Transfer for Ramesh Sippy’s forthcoming film starring Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai – Kuch Na Kaho.
In addition to the services, Hungama and IndiaFM also get regular ads in the form of banners and other sponsorships.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI:Â 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.
