Brands
AU Small Finance Bank launches ‘Soch Badlo, aur Bank Bhi’
MUMBAI: AU Small Finance Bank, India’s largest small finance bank and the first in its category to secure in-principle RBI approval to transition into a universal bank, has unveiled a new brand campaign built on its theme “Soch Badlo, aur Bank Bhi” (Change your thinking, change your bank). The films, created by McCann, feature Bollywood actors Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna and mark a shift towards a more entertainment-driven, mainstream tone.
Using humour, familiar conversations and everyday domestic moments, the campaign urges viewers to question whether their current bank truly serves their needs. Rather than hard-selling products, Ranbir and Rashmika act as gentle nudges, encouraging audiences to consider more rewarding financial choices and to re-evaluate their banking relationships.
The communication showcases AU’s strengthened consumer and business offerings. For retail customers, AU pitches higher interest rates with monthly payouts on savings accounts, as well as lifestyle benefits and merchant offers on debit cards. For businesses, its current-account suite bundles lending, collections, merchant solutions and trade and forex services into a single platform.
A centrepiece of the pitch is AU’s digital stack: the AU 0101 app and AU 0101 business app, which aim to replicate full-branch capability on mobile, with real-time account visibility, integrated money management and instant transactions.
AU Small Finance Bank MD and chief executive Sanjay Agarwal, said the campaign aims to prompt customers to reflect on their banking choices “in a contemporary, relatable and entertaining way”. McCann Worldgroup India chief creative officer and chief executive Prasoon Joshi, said the work draws on “warmth, relatability and the humour in everyday human truths”.
Directed by Hemant Bhandari and produced by Chrome Pictures, the campaign will run across television, digital, social media and print as the bank steps up its push towards becoming a universal bank.
Brands
Hyundai India posts record April sales with 17-per cent growth
Domestic sales hit 51,902 units, exports stand at 13,708 units
MUMBAI: Hyundai is clearly shifting gears and April has put the pedal firmly to the metal. Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has reported its highest-ever domestic sales for the month of April, clocking 51,902 units in April 2026, marking a 17 per cent year-on-year growth. The milestone sets a strong tone for the new financial year, signalling sustained demand momentum across its portfolio. Alongside domestic performance, the company recorded export volumes of 13,708 units for the month, underlining its continued strength in overseas markets.
The growth has been driven by a mix of refreshed models and special editions across segments. Recent launches and updates including the Exter, Verna, Ioniq 5, Creta Summer Edition, Grand i10 NIOS Vibe Edition and Venue Knight Edition have helped keep the line-up competitive in an increasingly crowded market.
A standout performer was the Venue, which recorded its highest-ever monthly domestic sales of 12,420 units. The model’s 5-Star Bharat NCAP safety rating, including for the VENUE N Line, appears to have bolstered consumer confidence, reflecting a broader industry shift where safety credentials are becoming a key purchase driver.
Tarun Garg, Managing Director and CEO, HMIL, said the company has carried forward recent momentum into the new financial year, with product interventions and safety-focused positioning playing a central role in driving growth.
The numbers suggest Hyundai’s strategy is ticking multiple boxes fresh product cycles, safety-led messaging and steady export performance. If April is any indication, the company isn’t just starting the year strong, it’s aiming to keep the engine running at full throttle.
