MAM
Juggernaut Productions inks content licensing deal with The Story Ink
MUMBAI: Juggernaut Productions, the platform-agnostic content creation studio providing an end-to-end solution by IN10 Media Network, today announced a significant content licensing deal with The Story Ink, India's largest story company and also the leader in book-to-screen-content solutions. The production house has acquired the official screen adaptation rights of Jay Alani and Neil D’Silva’s Haunted to create yet another edgy series.
One of the most popular titles in non-fiction horror genre, Haunted chronicles the real-life adventures of paranormal investigator Jay Alani in ten of the spookiest locations in India. Co-authored by Neil D'Silva, these exploits provide a ringside view of these hair-raising paranormal journeys for everyone interested in exploring the dark side of the normal. Over 1000 copies have been sold since the book was released in November 2019.
Commenting on the acquisition of screen rights of Haunted, Samar Khan – COO, (OTT), Juggernaut Productions, said: “With the arrival of digital platforms the scope for differentiated stories has quadrupled. For a 360-degree content creation hub, this is a great opportunity allowing us to work on a variety of tales across genres, including supernatural stories from Haunted. We look forward to start working on the onscreen adaptation and hope that the retelling will be as gripping and exciting as the book.”
On the association with Juggernaut Productions, Sidharth Jain, Founder, Producer and Chief Storyteller, The Story Ink, said: “Juggernaut Productions was my first choice as a producer for Haunted and I am confident that Samar and team will do a terrific job to scare the audience with these real experiences."
Paranormal Investigator Jay Alani, who recounts his real-life experiences in Haunted, said: "Haunted is not just a book; it's a journey, a journey that depicts the reality of the paranormal as seen by me, which made me realize that the scariest entity on this planet are humans, not ghosts. As a paranormal investigator, it has been a tough journey for me. I have been bitten by snakes, attacked by wolves, survived on leaves and the most impure water. This was all to discover the reality of this dark world which has been expressed beautifully by Neil D'Silva in Haunted. I am sure Mr Khan and his team at Juggernaut will do great justice to its screen adaptation."
A bestselling author, Neil D’Silva, known for his horror novels Maya's New Husband, Yakshini and Haunted said: "The stories of Jay's paranormal investigations in the most haunted locations of India as written by me are both shocking and educational at the same time. While they cater to the sensibilities of horror fans, they also show us a grim reality of the other side that is not often showcased. I am glad that Haunted will have a screen version with Juggernaut Productions, for now this gritty truth of Indian horror will reach out to many”.
Brands
Kwality Wall’s reports standalone losses following strategic HUL demerger
Ice cream major faces Rs 64 crore Ebitda loss amid commodity inflation and muted Q3 sales
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited (KWIL) has released its first set of financial results as a standalone entity, revealing a challenging start to its independent journey. Following its successful demerger from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) on 1st December 2025 and its subsequent listing on 16th February 2026, the company is navigating a transition period marked by structural changes and high input costs.
For the quarter ended 31st December 2025, the company reported revenue of Rs 222 crores. Despite the revenue base, the bottom line was impacted by several factors, resulting in an Ebitda loss of Rs 64.2 crores. When calculated on a Pre-IND AS 116 basis, the Ebitda loss stood at Rs 83.8 crores.
Organic Sales Growth (OSG) declined by 6.5 per cent year-on-year during the quarter. Volume growth, however, saw a marginal increase of 1.2 per cent. The company reported a gross margin of 41.5 per cent. Additionally, exceptional expenses amounting to Rs 94 crores were recorded, primarily linked to non-recurring costs during the transition phase.
Performance across portfolios and channels was mixed. Within the impulse portfolio, brands such as Magnum and Cornetto recorded mid-single digit volume growth, indicating steady demand in on-the-go consumption. However, the in-home portfolio, which includes take-home packs, experienced muted consumption. The company is planning a relaunch of this category with improved offerings ahead of the 2026 season.
Quick commerce (Q-Com) continued to emerge as a strong growth driver, delivering robust double-digit growth during the quarter. Meanwhile, the company also expanded its physical distribution network by increasing the number of company-owned cabinets across markets.
Margin pressure during the quarter was driven by a combination of one-off factors and broader cost inflation. Gross margins were impacted by around 600 basis points due to trade investments made for stock liquidation. Additionally, cocoa price inflation contributed to another 400 basis points of pressure on margins.
Deputy managing director Chitrank Goel attributed the muted performance partly to prolonged monsoons and transitional challenges linked to the GST framework. Operating expenses also increased as the company invested in establishing its standalone supply chain, operational systems and corporate infrastructure following the demerger.
Looking ahead, the management remains focused on a volume-driven growth strategy. To restore profitability, the company has initiated a cost productivity programme aimed at reducing non-consumer-facing costs. It is also working on building regional manufacturing networks to optimise logistics expenses and improve operational efficiency.
The commodity outlook for the near term remains mixed. Dairy prices are expected to remain firm due to tight supply conditions and rising fodder costs. Sugar prices may also move higher following increases in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). While cocoa prices have moderated recently, currency depreciation has offset some of the potential cost relief for the company.
