Brands
Brands share excitement behind partnership with season 6 of ‘Game of Thrones’
MUMBAI: Game of Thrones season 6 has managed to lure viewers and attract advertisers alike with a roster of big brands associating with it. Star World Premiere HD has roped in e-commerce giant Amazon as presenting sponsors, Maruti Suzuki Baleno is a driven by sponsor and London Dairy and Ola Micro are powered by sponsors. Additionally other brands that have come on board are Housing.com, Matrix and Motorola as partners and Essilor, Yamaha, Himalaya and Sunny Lite as associate sponsors. Expedia, Skore and P&G OralCare are some other sponsors that the channel has roped in.
It is safe to say that the demographic tuning into the on-screen adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s spectacular creation may just be close to the total population on the planet! Inspiring new hordes of fans of the fantasy genre each year, Game of Thrones is now a household name right across the globe, attracting critics, literary geniuses, lovers of edge-of-the seat thrills and just like that the commoner who enjoys a truly well-made and well-narrated show.
Here is what brands have to say:
London Dairy head of marketing Shweta Shrivastava said, “Season 6 has been filled with potpourri of emotions and the series stays true to its intriguing twists and turns. Of course, Jon Snow was not going to wake up in the first episode as the teasers indicated, but the short sequence on Sansa, Theon and Brienne brought some sense of relief to a series where audience heartbreak has been the only constant. However, the true form of Melis and retrumped all else in terms of shock value. A character that shows absolutely no self-doubt throughout the series is finally showing fine cracks. What I await to see is what Bran brings to this convoluted series of events. We are proud to partner with Star World Premiere HD in helping get this much awaited series to India and look forward to unravel the series even as our consumers unravel the sheer indulgence of London Dairy ice creams this summer.”
Expedia marketing head Manmeet Ahluwalia voiced, “Once in a while a show comes along that transports you to another world and makes you believe in the magic of television again. Game of Thrones is one such show. It strikes the perfect balance between brooding medieval angst and wonderful fantasy story telling. It sticks loyal to the books and doesn’t “dumb things down” for a wider audience. My favorite character across all seasons is Arya Stark, Tyrion Lannister and Daenerys Targaryen because of their strong personality. I loved the first season; it brilliantly established the universe of George R.R. Martin’s source material. The most memorable scene for me is when Jon Snow gifts Arya ‘Needle’- the sword with a teaching- ‘Stick them with a pointy end.’ I am eagerly waiting to see if Jon snow will be joining Daenerys Targaryen. Though, it’s quite predictable that Jon Snow will join the Khaleesi and prove the prophecy right.”
Skore Condoms marketing head Vishal Vyas added, “My favourite season on the show so far is Season 1 because the introduction of the all main characters was very interestingly done. Moreover, Ned Stark’s beheading was extremely unexpected and that invited a very different twist on the show. I am hooked to Season 6 since the story seems to now start unraveling and I would love to see Tyrion Lannister rule the seven kingdoms. He is also my favorite character on the show because he is funny and probably the smartest guy in the series.”
Procter & Gamble Oral Care assistant brand manager Abhijit Aswath shared, “I am an ardent Game of Thrones fan. I feel every season is packed with qualities that define great story telling – building some key characters, shifting the balance of power and rise and fall of power houses. Season 4 is probably my favorite season of the series since it is extremely action packed with 3 key characters – Jon Snow, Daenerys, Tyrion all pushed to the Wall; literally for Jon Snow and figuratively for Khaleesi & the little man, and how each of them use their best wits, skills and political acumen to come out strong. After Mahabharata, Game of Thrones probably is one such story which has all the complexity and drama you need in a grand tale -tussle of the truth/what’s right/wrong, magic and politics. After Season 5, the stage was set for the story to go to the next level and Season 6 lives up to this expectation so far. My fan theory is that next, Daenerys and the dragons will discover a land of wealth, wit and great science capable of defeating the Dead Men by giving them Moksha – a land called Industeros.”
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.
