MAM
Abhik Santara, VR Rajesh to manage Mumbai ops at Ogilvy
MUMBAI: In a recent development at Ogilvy India, Abhik Santara and VR Rajesh have been handed over the responsibilities of Mumbai office as head and managing partner, respectively. As part of their responsibilities, they will also oversee the growth of the Kolkata office.
The move is in the direction of Ogilvy India to drive aggressive internal transformation to stay at the top of the game. Ogilvy India CEO Kunal Jeswani says, “Abhik Santara and VR Rajesh are the new captains at Ogilvy Mumbai. With these appointments, Ogilvy Mumbai now has a stellar business, creative and strategic leadership team in place. They, along with the Mumbai EXCO, will drive our transformation agenda together, leading India’s best modern marketing communications agency office to new heights.”
Santara started his career in Delhi and worked with JWT before moving on to lead offices for Rediffusion Y&R and the Lowe Lintas Group. He managed a range of brands in his time with these companies, including Nokia, Pepsi, Airtel, Adidas, Dabur and LG. He leads the business relationships across Unilever Beverages, Bajaj Auto and Marico and, along with the Mumbai EXCO, will now focus on driving this office forward.
Rajesh was rejected by Ogilvy three times before he was finally taken on by the company 15 years ago. In his long career with Ogilvy, VR has worked across a range of clients and brands including Asian Paints, Tata Sky, ITC, Unilever Beverages and Star Plus. He has also helped energise and grow the Kolkata office in a tough market environment. Many of the clients in Kolkata – Bandhan Bank, ITC Kwiknic, Greenply, MP Birla and Yatra – have also felt his great passion and influence. He will partner Abhik to lead Ogilvy Mumbai.
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.
