MAM
VMLY&R India brings in Rajshekar Patil as executive creative director
Mumbai: Global brand and customer experience agency VMLY&R has brought Rajshekar Patil on board as executive creative director. He will report to VMLY&R India chief creative officer Mukund Olety.
In this role, Patil will oversee the creative capabilities of the agency, assist in campaign conceptualisation, and support the agency’s creative vision. As part of the leadership team, he will also champion a culture of creativity, inclusiveness, and innovation, said the agency.
Patil brings in 18 years of work experience with him as an award-winning integrated advertising professional working at the intersection of creativity and tech. His last assignment was with Publicis Worldwide India as ECD. At Publicis Mumbai, he was heading Skoda Motors, Citi, Zee5, and Times Group.
“I am delighted that Rajshekar is joining us. He is a passionate, razor-sharp, creative thinker with a portfolio that speaks to his desire for genuine impact through his work,” said VMLY&R India chief creative officer Mukund Olety. ” I welcome him wholeheartedly to the VMLY&R family and look forward to growing our creative reputation across the country.”
Patil is the co-founder of a kid-tech startup, built at a tech incubator in London, and Snap Counsellors, an award-winning teen helpline on Snapchat. He also helped launch Apple in India, contributing several pieces to the Grand Prix-winning Shot on the iPhone campaign.
A computer science graduate who landed accidentally in the creative department of Ogilvy and Mather and never left, Patil has been recognised with D&AD Impact, One Show, Cannes, Effies APAC, Spikes Tangrams, etc. His previous stints were at BBDO India, Media Arts Lab (Apple’s agency), BBH India, and Ogilvy & Mather.
“VMLY&R brings together a blend of creativity, technology, data and culture to create truly unique solutions for clients. Creativity here seeps into every facet of the agency and I look forward to working closely with Anil and Mukund to create some fantastic work,” said Patil on his new role.
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.
