MAM
Band power – [V] drums up ‘Popstars’ frenzy
Eye-popping stuff this. The promotional efforts that is. Five channels, road shows, hoardings, the leading newspaper in the country, online, offline, radio. That is the kind of push that Star India is giving to its glam-reality show [V] Popstars that premieres Thursday.
Five channels of the Star Network will simulcast the first episode of the series that showcases the entire process right from selection, grooming to launch of the country’s first all girl pop band. Star Plus, Channel [V], Star Gold, Star Movies and Star World will all telecast the first episode. Not included in this effort are Star News and National Geographic. The first episode will be an hour long (9 pm – 10 pm) one while the rest are scheduled as half-hour episodes.
To bring home the message, the channel has hired several music bands, traditionally employed by Indian wedding processions, to march through the streets of Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore on today and tomorrow. Accompanied by young girls holding up the Popstars banners, the novel promo aims at reinforcing the show’s slogan – Kiska Band Bajega?
 Bardot- the Australian Popstars. Can India match this? |
That’s not all. A three-kilometer long banner will be unveiled along Mumbai’s streets tomorrow, a day ahead of the show being unleashed on air. The Times of India, the strategic partner in the venture, has been splashing ads in its city supplements and tracking the progress of the auditions through news reports as the jury made its way through six Indian cities.
This is the first time the network is promoting a channel property in a major way across all its channels, with on air promotions assailing viewers nearly every half hour for the past many days.
Star has acquired the rights of this popular reality show from the UK-based Sportsworld Media Group.
 UK’s Popstars HearSay. Are Indian girls as talented? |
According to [V] vice-president Devika Sharma, 24 girls, selected from among the thousands who auditioned are currently undergoing the final tests. The final five who will make up the band will be finalised by this weekend, but viewers are likely to know their identity only in the fourth or fifth episode. Auditions were held in Chandigarh, New Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Mumbai and Goa over the last one month, with over 450 girls participating in the auditions from each city. While those from Chandigarh and Kolkata were the ones with loads of talent, it was the girls from Mumbai and Delhi who have stolen the march in their attitudes and energy, says Sharma.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI:Â 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.
