Brands
Akshay Kumar takes the immunity pledge with Dabur Chyawanprash
NEW DELHI: Embattled FMCG Dabur India, whose flagship product Dabur Honey was at the centre of a controversy after failing the NMR purity test, is now relying on star power to turn around its dented fortunes. The company has signed on A-list actor and fitness icon Akshay Kumar as the new face of its health supplements brand Dabur Chyawanprash.
A new campaign featuring Kumar, a paragon of what it means to live healthy, calls on the nation to come together and pledge to build “inner strength and fighting spirit” in these uncertain times.
“Strong immunity is the need of the hour with the threat of illnesses looming around us,” said Dabur India Ltd CEO Mohit Malhotra. “Dabur Chyawanprash, with the power of more than 40 herbs like Ashwagandha, Giloy and Amla, has always stood for boosting immunity to fight illnesses. Dabur Chyawanprash has always celebrated and championed the cause of building the health of the nation. Akshay Kumar is emblematic of health, fitness and inner strength, the properties of Dabur Chyawanprash. We are happy to welcome him to the Dabur family.”
The new campaign serves as a rallying cry, inviting Indians to keep their immunity strong for themselves and for the nation.
“With this communication, Dabur Chyawanprash, along with the charismatic Akshay Kumar, are also establishing our strong sense of pride about ‘Made in India, by Indians, for Indians’, and caring for every Indian household’s immunity and well-being,” added Malhotra.
Conceptualised by McCann Worldgroup India, the film attaches a deeper purpose to why each one of us needs to keep our immunity high. It takes the idea of immunity from safety for an individual to the strength for an entire nation. And it does that by inviting Indians to take a pledge for becoming strong from within so that we can support each other in this journey and emerge stronger.
“Har ghar me, har kisi ko, leni he ek shapat khud ko strong banane ki, kyuki hum strong rahenge tabhi toh har mushkil se ladenge. Bharat kare vishwas, har din Dabur Chyawanprash.” Leading this pledge is Akshay Kumar, who helps galvanise the masses in joining this movement.
Prasoon Joshi, chairman, McCann Worldgroup, Asia Pacific CEO & CCO McCann Worldgroup India, said: “Akshay is a fitness icon in our country and so is the brand Dabur Chyawanprash. I have always believed that there should be an inherent resonance between the brand and its endorser, which is absolutely so in this case. I have been part of Dabur’s communication for more than two decades and seen the journey to the top. This will be another great chapter in the brand’s journey and would strengthen the relationship with the consumers.”
Akshay Kumar said: “I am immensely proud and happy to be a part of the Dabur family. Dabur has relentlessly nurtured the country’s health and fitness through the science of authentic Ayurveda. I really believe that together, Dabur and I, will take Dabur Chyawanprash to every household, every person – so that collectively our nation’s immunity becomes stronger and we can conquer every challenge.”
The film’s essence is in activating and tapping into the power of immunity and collective action. It portrays Indians from different walks of life who are doing their bit to keep the nation going. And at the heart of it is their inner strength driven by the core of benefit of Dabur Chyawanprash – 2X immunity.
Brands
Pernod Ricard, Chivas Regal parent, in talks for possible India IPO: Bloomberg
Deliberations in early stage, with no decision taken so far
PARIS: Pernod Ricard is evaluating a potential stock market listing of its Indian business, according to a Bloomberg News report citing people familiar with the matter.
The French drinks group has begun discussions with prospective advisers to assess the feasibility and merits of a separate public listing for Pernod Ricard India. The deliberations are at an early stage and no final decision has been made.
India is one of Pernod Ricard’s most important growth markets. The company is among the country’s largest alcoholic beverage players, selling premium global brands such as Chivas Regal and Absolut Vodka, and competing closely with Diageo across premium and mass-market segments.
The reported move comes as Pernod Ricard navigates heightened regulatory scrutiny in India. The group is facing antitrust proceedings and is also contesting allegations by authorities in New Delhi over potential violations of local liquor regulations. Pernod Ricard has denied any wrongdoing.
In the market, Pernod Ricard’s Paris-listed shares are up nearly 12 per cent so far this year, valuing the group at about $24.4 billion. That recovery follows a bruising 2025, when the stock lost close to a third of its value.
A separate India listing, if it materialises, could help unlock value from a fast-growing business, even as the group works through legal and regulatory challenges in one of its most strategically important markets.
