MAM
Sushant Singh Rajput to be the new face for Bata men’s collection
MUMBAI: European footwear brand Bata has roped in Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput as the brand ambassador to promote its new stylish and casual range of footwear.
This is in line with Bata’s objective to make the brand relevant and aspirational amongst the young and trendy consumers.
The actor from Patna has acted in super-hit films like M. S. Dhoni and Kai Po Che and is considered a youth icon and trendsetter amongst his huge fan base comprising mostly GenNext. Rajput will initially be seen promoting Bata’s New Men’s Casual collection.
Bata India chief executive officer Sandeep Kataria says, “Sushant is a multi-faceted actor who is a favorite amongst today’s youth with his performances and style. He is a perfect fit for the brand due to his charming persona and panache. He brings a freshness to the brand and we are happy to kick off this exciting partnership with him to make Bata more relatable to the youth.”
Bata’s latest new casual collection with mesh, flyknit and lycra materials and light weight soles not only ups your cool quotient but also offers comfort, design and value for men who love the trendy and casual look. These sneakers (low cut and high ankle) are available in navy, beige, brown and olive colours.
“Bata has always been one of my favourite brands and I am super excited to be a catalyst of the brand transformation that Bata is undergoing. I have recently shot for their new ‘Be Surprised’ campaign showcasing the latest men’s casual collections. And believe me it will leave you surprised too,” mentions Sushant Singh Rajput, on his association with Bata.
Bata already has Kriti Sanon as a brand ambassador for its women’s range and Smriti Mandhana as the face of their sports brand – Power. As Bata’s new brand ambassador for men’s footwear, Sushant Singh Rajput will be seen promoting Bata’s popular brands including the newly launched Bata New Men’s Casual collection, already available across all Bata stores.
Bata has held a unique place in the hearts of Indians for more than 85 years. Probably the only footwear brand that offers footwear and accessories for the entire family, Bata has redefined the modern footwear industry in India. It has established a leadership position in the industry and is the most trusted name in branded footwear. It sells about 50 million pairs of footwear every year and serves over 120,000 customers almost every day.
Bata India is the largest footwear retailer in India, offering footwear, accessories and bags across brands like Bata, Hush Puppies, Naturalizer, Power, Marie Claire, Weinbrenner, North Star, Scholl, Bata Comfit and Bubblegummers. It retails in over 1,365 Bata stores, on bata.in and in thousands of multi-brand footwear dealer stores pan-India.
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.
