MAM
Harkirat Singh of Gath Productions wins #Zomatoloot
NEW DELHI: A little over a month ago, food-aggregator and delivery platform Zomato, in its ever-quirky way, had announced a unique competition for the people who were tired of seeing their unskippable ‘rich butter chicken’ and ‘creamy pasta’ ads on YouTube. Termed #Zomatoloot, the video creating challenge was an interesting way to incorporate user-generated content in a brand’s marketing strategy, besides promising Rs 25 lakh to the winner as well as a lot of visibility on digital and TV ads of Zomato.
The challenge attracted many interesting entries, but the victory went to Harkirat Singh, who runs a production house called Gath Productions. Singh’s rib-tickling ad depicting the story of every hostel ever was as relatable as it was funny and was a big hit with the Zomato’s social media followers.
Singh is pretty psyched about winning the challenge and the recognition it is getting him. “I have been in the industry for four years now and have worked on a number of brand films as director and cinematographer but never got the recognition for it. At the end of it, ad films become the property of the agency. So, it is very exciting and heartening for me to get recognition for my film.”
On being asked about how he landed upon the concept, Singh shared, “I got to know about it from a friend on the 27th of September, just a few days before the last date of submissions. As time was short, I was not very confident if something can be pulled off and told her that I will only be participating if I can create something good. Luckily, the same night the idea struck me. I was having dinner with my sister, there was something on her plate that I was trying to grab and that’s when it struck me. Then I connected it to my hostel days where I have had similar experiences of my friends taking my orders and eating them.”
He added, “It also happened that just a few days back I had seen this building that looked like a hostel and instantly I knew the location too.”
Singh then shot the entire film within a span of six hours.
Here are all the other entries that made a podium finish:
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.
