MAM
Sania Fazal joins JioStar as creative director – brand solutions
Veteran from Viacom18 to lead content partnerships across Colors, Star Plus and JioHotstar.
MUMBAI: Sania Fazal just swapped one spotlight for a bigger stage because when you’re this good at branded storytelling, the next act needs more screens. JioStar has appointed Sania Fazal as creative director for brand solutions, content partnerships & branded content, the company confirmed on 24 February 2026. In her new role based in Mumbai, Fazal will spearhead content integrations and branded narrative work across television and digital platforms targeting the Hindi-speaking market (HSM). Her mandate includes forging strategic partnerships with Colors, Star Plus and JioHotstar, building innovative ad products, creating integration ecosystems, mentoring her team, and crafting frameworks that balance cultural resonance with measurable business growth.
Fazal brings over nine years of experience from Viacom18 Media Private Limited, where she rose to senior manager for brand solutions & partnerships. There she led large-scale branded integrations and content partnerships across flagship shows including Bigg Boss, Khatron Ke Khiladi and Laughter Chefs work that earned recognition at Goafest, ET Sharks and the Indian Digital Marketing Awards.
Before Viacom18 she worked on customised brand solutions at HT Media Ltd across marquee properties, and had a brief stint at Mitkat Advisory Services. Her career has consistently focused on blending creativity with commercial impact in high-visibility entertainment formats.
The move places Fazal at the helm of JioStar’s branded content push as the merged entity sharpens its edge in television and streaming. For an industry where partnerships can make or break a show’s buzz, her appointment feels like the perfect plot twist bringing proven storytelling chops to a portfolio hungry for fresh, culturally sharp integrations. Whether it’s scripting the next viral moment or mentoring the team behind it, Fazal’s arrival signals JioStar is ready to turn every ad break into appointment viewing.
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.
