Brands
Manushi Chhillar becomes face of Wella Professionals, marking a bold leap in brand expression
MUMBAI: Wella Professionals has appointed Manushi Chhillar as its new brand ambassador for India, signaling a dynamic new chapter for the heritage brand. The announcement was made during the grand finale of TrendVision 2024-25, a creative summit that brings together the best of hair artistry and fashion.
The collaboration marks Wella’s return to celebrity endorsements after years, aligning with a shift towards bolder, transformational branding. Chhillar, known for her elegance and fierce individuality, now embodies the brand’s core values of fearless self-expression, transformative beauty, and artistic excellence.
“This marks the beginning of something legendary. Manushi represents a new wave of beauty, modern, bold, and unapologetically expressive. With her as the new ambassador of Wella Professionals, we bring our vision to life: to inspire stylists to create and consumers to embrace what’s new. Everyone dreams of change, but very few dare to make it happen. Together, we will encourage people to take that leap”, said Wella India and south Asia GM Pravesh Saha.
The partnership underscores Wella’s ongoing mission to empower stylists while pushing boundaries in the hair industry. With over 140 years of legacy and innovation, Wella Professionals continues to shape trends through vibrant colour solutions and high-performance care. The brand now aims to strengthen its footprint in India through storytelling that resonates with the modern Indian consumer’s aspiration for change.
The announcement comes on the back of Wella’s top ranking in the 2023 Salon Hair Care Study published by Kline, which placed the brand at number one globally in the hair colouring products category.
Chillar’s association with Wella is expected to catalyse a fresh wave of engagement, both with stylists and consumers. Her rise from Miss World 2017 to a fashion-forward public figure has embodied resilience, evolution and grace—values that align with the ethos of Wella Professionals.
Brands
Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
