Brands
Anita Dongre shines in Beverly Hills
MUMBAI: Anita Dongre has brought a touch of Rajasthan to Rodeo Drive country. The celebrated Indian designer has opened her 3,000 square feet flagship boutique on Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, becoming the first Indian designer to debut a store in this iconic fashion district.
This new outpost is Dongre’s fourth international store after New York and Dubai, a milestone that underscores her mission of “taking India to the world.”
Co-hosted by Mindy Kaling and Poorna Jagannathan, the launch saw a gathering of South Asian trailblazers from Hollywood and fashion, including Jay Shetty, Payal Kadakia, Richa Moorjani, Deepica Mutyala, and Nidhi Sunil, among others. Together, they celebrated a designer who has long woven culture, craftsmanship, and conscience into couture.
The store itself feels like a serene slice of Rajasthan, its hand-painted Pichhwai walls, embroidered cushions, and bespoke wallpaper handcrafted by Indian artisans. Every corner reflects Dongre’s signature balance of mindful luxury and timeless artistry.
At the centre stands a striking elephant matriarch and calf installation from The Great Elephant Migration, an art movement supporting sustainability and indigenous craft communities. Made from invasive lantana weeds, the sculptures are both art and activism, a fitting metaphor for Dongre’s eco-conscious vision.
“Every creation we make is touched by the hands of skilled women artisans whose stories inspire our work,” said Dongre. “Bringing their artistry to Beverly Hills isn’t just about fashion, it’s about giving India’s craftspeople the global platform they deserve.”
Rooted in Rajasthan yet globally resonant, Dongre continues to redefine what modern Indian luxury looks like: authentic, ethical, and exquisitely made. With her Beverly Hills store, she adds another glittering thread to her international legacy.
Brands
Pocket FM elevates Lalit Gangwar to COO to drive global growth
Founding member to lead operations, monetisation and expansion across markets
MUMBAI: Pocket FM has elevated Lalit Gangwar to chief operating officer, tasking the founding team member with leading global business operations as the company sharpens its international growth strategy.
In his new role, Gangwar will oversee end-to-end operations across markets, including growth, monetisation and execution for the company’s audio business. The appointment comes as Pocket FM looks to strengthen its operating foundation and build a more predictable, scalable global business.
Gangwar has been closely involved in shaping the company’s trajectory from its early days. He played a key role in building the growth and marketing playbook in India, helping the platform scale to over 150 million users within its first year and establish a strong foothold in the audio storytelling category.
He later led Pocket FM’s expansion into the United States, where he set up teams, defined market strategy and drove scale, contributing significantly to the company’s international ambitions.
Pocket FM co-founder and CEO Rohan Nayak said, “Lalit has been central to Pocket FM’s journey from the very beginning. He has built our growth engine and scaled our business across markets.” He added that the company’s focus on nurturing internal talent makes Gangwar a natural choice to lead the next phase.
Gangwar said, “Pocket FM has always been driven by a simple belief that powerful stories can travel across borders and create meaningful impact.” He noted that the company will continue to focus on scaling markets, investing in AI-led storytelling and strengthening monetisation.
As COO, Gangwar is expected to bring greater operating discipline while building systems, talent and processes to support long-term growth.
With leadership continuity and a clear global focus, Pocket FM appears to be turning the page to its next chapter, one that aims to take its storytelling playbook well beyond home turf.
